Sharing Science Expertise
Instructor William Jay Sims has taught in the Department of Earth Science for 15 years, while portraying a commitment to service at the local, state, and national levels, as well as to UA Little Rock.
“Jay has been very active in the science education community. He rarely misses an opportunity to judge a science fair,” said his chair Dr. Jeffrey Connelly. Sims has led geology field trips, given talks to elementary students, instructed primary and middle school science teachers, and assisted in creating a geology exhibit for the Museum of Discovery.
Biology Instructor Scott Hearnsberger said, “Beyond Jay’s impressive teaching capacities and committee-related work, his dedication to the community at large is perhaps most remarkable.”
Sims co-authored hazard mitigation plans for the state and several communities and taught courses on the subject to community officials. He authored educational materials to assist the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management’s hazard mitigation efforts. He also serves on the Arkansas Pre-Disaster Advisory Council and the Arkansas Governor’s Earthquake Advisory Council. Additionally, he has given interviews concerning geological and energy usage issues and presentations to church groups and the broader community in the Little Rock River Market. Sims was also recently appointed to the Historic Arkansas Museum board.
For the last nine summers, Sims has led tours and provided educational presentations on the geology, hydrogeology, and natural history of the land as well as other volunteer duties at the Orient Land Trust at Valley View Hot Springs in Villa Grove, Colo.
“Jay has spent many hours in service of his profession,” Dr. Connelly added. He has served the Geological Society of America in numerous capacities for many years and is currently secretary-treasurer of its South-Central region.
Sims has volunteered to serve on numerous committees at the department, college, and university levels, such as College Awards and Environmental Impact committees, Faculty Senate, and Undergraduate Council. His colleagues say he was instrumental in the department’s online course development.
His M.S. degree in geology is from the University of Kentucky, and his B.S. degree in geology is from UA Little Rock.