Huntsville Educational and Community Leader Appointed to APC Board of Directors

Last week, Drake State President Dr. Patricia Sims was appointed by the Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, Mac McCutcheon, to the Alabama Partnership for Children (APC) Board of Directors. 

Dr. Sims’ career in education paints an image that perfectly qualifies her for the newest post. 

Since 2018, Dr. Sims served as the fourth President of Huntsville’s Drake State Community and Technical College. At this position, she focused on serving and enhancing the lives of her students, including extensive curriculum development and expanding the College’s resources. 

Because of her leadership and goals that catered toward the education and the advancement of opportunities for students on all levels of their educational pathways, Dr. Sims was awarded the first Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) ever granted to a historically black community college by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.

Prior to serving as the President of Drake State, Dr. Sims served as the Dean for the College of Education at Athens State University, where she oversaw significant technology enhancements, the creation of local innovative partnerships, and an expansion of curriculum by developing and launching the College’s first graduate program.

“Dr. Sims has such a broad and deep career in education,” said APC Executive Director Gail Piggott. “She is recognized as a community leader, exemplary administrative head, and  someone who promotes building the workforce so that families can thrive.” 

Besides her career in education, Dr. Sims is also involved in a variety of local and state organizations, including a board position for the Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust and the first African American woman to serve on the Board of Directors for the Alabama State Port Authority. 

Dr. Sims is also involved directly in the Huntsville community as a member of the Burritt Memorial Committee, the WEDC Foundation, the AUM Foundation and is a member of the board for Downtown Huntsville, Inc.

APC Board Chairperson Trippy McGuire argued that the combination of her educational career and community service makes her perfect for the new appointment. 

“Dr. Sims’ involvement with young people and her interest in their success dovetails perfectly  with the vision statement of the Alabama Partnership for Children that ‘every Alabama child will  have the opportunity to succeed in life’,” said McGuire. “We  welcome Dr. Sims as a new member of our board and look forward to her lending her expertise  and enthusiasm to our organization.” 

When asked about her educational career, Dr. Sims summarized why the appointment to the Alabama Partnership for Children Board of Directors fits well with her personal goals. 

“Education is my life’s work and I am honored to serve an organization that is committed to  serving Alabama’s families,” said Dr. Sims. “The Alabama Community College System provides a  unified system of institutions dedicated to delivering academic education, adult education, and  workforce development. By providing an impact at an earlier stage, students in pre-kindergarten to high school will be able to gain the support and training needed to enter the workforce.” 

Among Dr. Sims’ responsibilities with her newest appointment, she will represent all 24 schools within the Alabama Community College System. 

For more information, please visit https://alabamapartnershipforchildren.org/