Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College (NLTCC) congratulates Director of Financial Aid Dr. Mary Helen Simms on earning her Doctor of Education in Adult Learning and Development from Northwestern State University.
A lifelong resident of Minden, Dr. Simms brings more than six years of experience in higher education to her role at NLTCC, with expertise in financial aid administration, student services, and enrollment management. Outside of work and her academic pursuits, she enjoys spending time with her husband, their 15-year-old daughter, and their dog, Maggie.
“I pursued this doctoral degree not only as a commitment to lifelong learning, but also as an example for the next generation—especially my daughter—that growth, perseverance, and education never have an expiration date,” said Dr. Simms.
Dr. Simms' achievement reflects NLTCC's continued investment in professional development opportunities for faculty, staff, and leadership. Through these efforts, the college seeks to strengthen student success and instructional excellence across all campuses.
“NLTCC is proud to support employees who pursue higher education and professional development,” said Chancellor Dr. Jayda Spillers. “When our faculty and staff continue learning and growing in their fields, it strengthens the experience we provide to our students.”
In addition to supporting employee educational achievements, the college has continued to expand support and training opportunities for its instructors. One example is the Instructor Preparation Series, launched in 2025 to help new full-time and adjunct instructors transition from industry into the classroom. The program focuses on teaching strategies, student engagement, instructional technology, and classroom preparation.
Student services staff and college leadership have also participated in monthly workshops led by professional development consultants Robbin Kent and Lisa Arendell. These sessions focus on communication, collaboration, leadership development, and team building, all with the shared goal of better serving students.
These ongoing efforts help ensure NLTCC employees have the support and training needed to better serve students across the college. By continuing to invest in faculty, staff, and leadership development, NLTCC is strengthening the learning environment and overall student experience.
