Three new appointments will help PAMS serve current and future students

Three new administrative appointments within the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences will encourage more talented students to pursue educational opportunities in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines and will provide those who pursue those opportunities at NC State University with more of the resources they may need to succeed.

The three appointments are Jacqueline Hawkins-Morton as director of advising and coordinator of Summer School, Sharon Schulze as director of The Science House, and Jamila Simpson as director of multicultural affairs and student services.

Jacqueline Hawkins-Morton, Director of Advising and Coordinator of Summer School

Ms. Jacqueline (Jacqui) Hawkins-Morton has joined the College as director of advising and coordinator of Summer School. She comes to PAMS from the university’s Division of Undergraduate Academic Programs, where she served as assistant director of advising for First Year College (FYC) and undergraduate coordinator. Her responsibilities with FYC included administrative, teaching and cross-curricula advising. She had been with FYC since its inception in 1995. FYC has been nationally recognized for its advising services and practices.

Hawkins-Morton has also been involved in other areas of the campus community including the Council on Undergraduate Education (chair), the General Education Task Force, the Student Information System Team (lead for advising), African American Coordinating Committee, the Admissions Committee and the University Open House Committee.

Hawkins-Morton earned undergraduate degrees in anthropology and Far East history and graduate degrees in counseling education and adult education, all from East Carolina University. Prior to her work at NC State, she worked as coordinator of advising for pre-health and health profession students at the East Carolina University School of Medicine.

Jacqui Hawkins-Morton and her husband, Roosevelt, have one son, Nelson, who is a senior in high school. On Mondays and Thursdays at noon, you can find Jacqui leading a fitness class for faculty and staff at Carmichael Gym. Come out and join her!

Sharon Schulze, Director of The Science House

Dr. Sharon Schulze has been named director of The Science House. Schulze received a bachelor’s degree in physics as well as a bachelor’s and master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Texas A&M University. She also holds a Ph.D. in cognitive studies in education from the University of Pittsburgh, where she worked with the prestigious Learning Research and Development Center for eight years.

Schulze has more than 23 years of experience in science education, including 10 years of direct classroom experience teaching high school physics as well as extensive teaching and professional development experience, both in university coursework and professional development outreach. As professional development specialist for the NC School of Science and Mathematics, Schulze coordinated the statewide NOW Project, in which teachers from six core regions across North Carolina were provided with high-quality, in-depth professional development in the integration of various technologies into classrooms.

Since 2003, Schulze has served as associate director of The Science House, working alongside founding director David Haase to administer the many and diverse programs of The Science House. As director, Schulze will build upon the success of the past 17 years to develop and implement a vision that includes extensive partnerships across the NC State campus, the state, and the nation. Her goal is to develop The Science House into the “go-to place” for content-based professional development for teachers and a leader in developing partnerships that synergistically increase the impact of the many individuals and groups who show an interest in and passion for K-12 STEM education.

Jamila Simpson, Director of Multicultural Affairs and Student Services

Dr. Jamila Simpson has joined the PAMS staff as director of multicultural affairs and student services. In this new role, she will be responsible for working to enhance the recruitment, retention, and graduation of African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, and any other minority students who are traditionally underrepresented in the physical and mathematical sciences.

Simpson is an alumna of NC State and PAMS. In 2000, she received her bachelor’s degree in meteorology, making her the first African American female to receive the degree from the university. She continued with her education at NC State to receive her master’s and doctoral degrees in science education. Simpson’s graduate research examined culture and its impact on students and educators in science education.

Not surprising based on her academic background, Simpson has a passion for weather and for encouraging underrepresented students in science and mathematics. She has volunteered at The Science House’s Imhotep Academy and taught at Kyran Anderson Academy for 10 years. Her professional experience also includes work with The Science House through the Center for Environmentally Responsible Solvents and Processes. She has also held positions in the NC State Climate Office, NC Museum of Natural Sciences and the UNC-Chapel Hill Morehead Planetarium and Science Center.

Simpson’s appointment comes upon the retirement of Dr. Wandra Hill as assistant dean of multicultural affairs and student services after 31 years of dedicated service to PAMS and its students.