Gia L. Simms Email & Phone Number

Alexandria, Va, Us

Columbia, Maryland

• In Spanish and English, promote and articulate research objectives and procedures to District of Columbia residents of low-income housing for study on indoor air quality.• Recruit participants, author and translate communications, interpret in bilingual conversations, develop strategies, monitor and maintain study equipment, and collect, electronically capture, and ensure the quality of data.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

• At the Clinical Learning and Simulation Skills (CLASS) Center of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS), helped proctor exams, ran simulation software, helped prepare exam materials, and otherwise assisted staff, faculty, and standardized patients to facilitate training and testing of medical and other students.• At the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS), communicated with the dean, other administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and visitors in person and by phone, managing flow in keeping with schedules and calendars, and performing other administrative tasks.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

• For the Center for Aging, Health and Humanities, served as Research Assistant for research study on wellness in homebound older adults in the District of Columbia• Contributed to development and implementation of community outreach strategy to recruit senior citizens for research study • Researched and identified key government offices, agencies, community-based organizations, and faith-based institutions, communicating study objectives to their representatives to garner support for study • Conducted quantitative and qualitative method study interviews of low-income District seniors

Arlington, Virginia

• Conducted compliance testing and ongoing evaluation of retirement plans administered by NRECA for employees of member cooperatives, ensuring accuracy and completeness of data and testing• Researched and communicated to cooperatives’ upper management and Benefit Administrators (BAs) compliance policies and processes based on federal law and regulations, promoting in-depth understanding, and providing guidance on lawful reporting• Developed and maintained strong collaborative working relationships with member clients• Provided extensive and responsive customer service and maintained databases and files

• Provided highly-responsive and comprehensive customer service and care to members, fielding inquiries and fulfilling information and documentation requests on numerous compliance matters and related plan benefits for retirement plans administered by NRECA• Reviewed and performed triage and quality control on all incoming data submissions for federally-mandated annual reporting and testing of retirement plans, organizing and maintaining correspondence, documentation, and databases• Contributed to ongoing evaluation and improvements of systems, processes, procedures, and documentation• Promoted in Jun 2015 to Retirement Compliance Analyst

Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Delivered dynamic classroom instruction to middle school, high school, university, and adult students of diverse backgrounds and learning styles • At D.C. Public Schools (DCPS), facilitated learning and presented rigorous ESL mathematics and science instruction to low-income, immigrant middle school students• Performed outreach to local D.C community-based organizations, and engaged and formed partnerships with families and other stakeholders to support and ensure student effort and success • Served as Instructor of Introductory and Intermediate Spanish to undergraduates at Georgetown University, utilizing a communicative approach to encourage language production and increase students' proficiency through immersion in Spanish language and Hispanic cultures• Conducted needs assessments, developed curricula/lesson plans and teaching materials, and planned and carried out classroom activities and examinations• For adult students, taught ESL classes in reading, writing, listening, and speaking featuring grammar, phonology, phonetics, semantics, and vocabulary-building, with emphasis on the specific vocational/professional backgrounds of the students

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

• Administered Fulbright Scholar Exchange Program for U.S. scholars receiving federal professional development grants to conduct research and/or lecture in Latin America• Counseled applicants and grantees on Fulbright policy and procedures and coordinated peer review of applications • Tracked program progress and drafted periodic reports detailing scholars’ activities and achievements• Managed budget, supervised work of Program Assistant, and oversaw all functional operations

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

• Interpreted and translated (Spanish/English) for program staff and contributed to planning and execution of international civic association's world conference in Mexico• Created conference program materials, maintained registration records, and facilitated conference logistics• Edited newsletter for membership, including drafting and selection of articles• Worked with CIVICUS also from March - August 1996

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

• Designed, coordinated, and delivered professional educational exchange programs for J-1 visa international visitors to the United States sponsored by the U.S. government representing a broad range of jobs and occupations• Conducted qualitative research and analysis and utilized data on political, economic, and societal trends abroad and in the United States to develop culturally-appropriate, timely, and relevant training programs• Served as liaison to key contacts from government agencies, private industry, academia, and nonprofit organizations to create comprehensive and effective training and foster collaborative links between the United States and the international community• Led program staff, tracked program progress, and managed multiple priorities in a time-sensitive environment• Translated Spanish-language materials from Latin American civic organizations into English for activity reports to National Endowment for Democracy

M.A., Linguistics/Teaching English As A Second Language & Bilingual Education

Activities and Societies: Participated in summer study program in Quito, Ecuador, residing with a local family.

M.A., International Relations--Latin American Studies & International Economics

Activities and Societies: Studied Portuguese

B.A., Spanish

Activities and Societies: Participated in a summer study program at the Centro de Estudios Hispánicos in Madrid, Spain, residing.