TS
Teresa Simpson
  • Beaumont, Texas

Volunteer Spotlight: Teresa Simpson

2017 Aug 3

Name: Teresa Simpson

University: Lamar University

Chapter Position: President

University Position: Special Assistant to the Dean for Student Recruitment, Retention and Success/Clinical Instructor in Educational Leadership, College of Education and Human Development

Years of Service to the Chapter: 3

Degree(s)/Discipline: Ed.D., Educational Leadership

How did you become involved as a chapter officer? I was nominated by the Dean of the Reaud Honors College to serve as Vice President.

What has your chapter done that has made you proud? Our chapter has worked very hard this past year to increase our visibility to both our faculty and students. We created a dedicated website for the chapter with landing pages for Phi Kappa Phi awards information to include deadlines. This site serves as a great resource for faculty as they advise students of opportunities and makes it easier for the student to find.

We will add a faculty liaison to the Board this year. This effort was led by the establishment of the Dr. Kevin Dodson/Phi Kappa Phi Endowment. This $20,000 endowment bears the name of a truly dedicated member to our chapter, dean of the Reaud Honors College and past president of the chapter. I have worked with Dr. Dodson for over 13 years and am honored we were able to recognize his commitment to student development and success in this way. I am most proud of this. The endowment will begin funding an estimated $1,000 per year in 2019. The recipient(s) will be awarded funds based on the same merits and for the same purpose as the Phi Kappa Phi awards at the national level. The endowment demonstrates our chapter's commitment to our undergraduate and graduate students' development and success.

What does Phi Kappa Phi mean to you? The honor to work with collective peers-both faculty and staff-in making available pathways for student success through scholarship and co-curricular experiences.

What do you enjoy most about being a chapter officer? The ability to work with peers who are student-focused and share a passion for the love of learning.

What advice would you give to a new chapter officer? Budget in the time to develop through biennial conferences and regional workshops. The more you know, the more you are able to share with your students and the more opportunities they have to develop and succeed.

What are your hobbies? Spending time with my family and promoting student success through athletic development.

Where are you from? Texas