Our Founder
“I was asked,
‘What will be your contribution to the Academy?’
And through founding Diverse Student Scholars,
I have answered. My personal contribution is to
replace myself; that means to provide a platform for
other women and people of color to persist and thrive in academia through research engagement.
Diverse Students Scholars has been my answer to a very important question.”
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
Dr. Jeanetta D. Sims earned a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma under the direction of the late Dr. Michael Pfau. She is currently Dean in the UCO Dr. Joe C. Jackson College of Graduate Studies and a tenured professor in the Marketing Department of the College of Business where she teaches classes in communication and marketing. She is a UCO transformative learning scholar and is accredited in public relations (APR).
Her program of research includes strategic communication, workforce diversity, marketing, and persuasion and social influence. She has received university and national awards for her teaching (in 2014, 2012, and 2009) and for her scholarship through winning top paper or merit awards from the university or at national and international conferences in 2018, 2017, 2016, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2006. She is co-editor of the annual UCO Transformative Learning Conference Proceedings, the Journal of Transformative Learning, and Developing Workforce Diversity Programs, Curriculum, and Degrees in Higher Education. Her research appears in multiple book chapters as well as in the Journal of Communication, Journal of Public Relations Research, Human Communication Research, Atlantic Marketing Journal, Corporate Reputation Review, Communication Research, Communication Monographs, Western Journal of Communication, Journal of Business Diversity, Florida Communication Journal, and Council on Undergraduate Research Quarterly.
Her collaborative philosophy and approach to teaching is featured in a TeTalk, which was sponsored by the UCO Center for Excellence in Transformative Teaching and Learning. In addition, she serves as a collaborative consultant for individuals and organizations on workforce diversity, identity, faculty-student research programs, and communication strategy through conducting consultations, workshops, retreats, and other customized solutions.
Dr. Sims serves nationally in elected or appointed positions for the Council on Undergraduate Research, National Communication Association Black Caucus and African American Communication and Culture Division, the Marketing Management Association, the North American Management Society, and the Higher Learning Commission.