Meet Chandra Simms, New Executive Director
Over the winter break, Eastside Community Connection welcomed Chandra Simms as the new Executive Director! The interview below is just a peak at her interesting life and her views about giving back to the community. We’re excited to have Chandra as part of our team and look forward to working on new projects with her this semester.
Basics
- Hometown: Denton, Texas
- Education: I studied Dance and Drama at Texas Women’s University, History and International Studies at the University of North Texas, Non-Profit Administration at Western Michigan University, British History and Politics in London, and Mandarin Chinese at Tung Hai University in Taiwan.
- Non-profit Experience: While in Michigan for graduate school, I worked as the Program Manager for the Center for Asian Studies at Kalamazoo College. This experience inspired me to focus my career on education and social service non-profits. After moving back to Texas, I was the Associate Director of a non-profit (similar to ECC) in Dallas that provided ESL and computer literacy classes to immigrants and refugees. We also provided a support system to minorities with their entrepreneurial endeavors. Then, I moved on to Planned Parenthood where I did fundraising. After that, I became a consultant for non-profits, and in my spare time I led study tours for high school students, teaching British History, Art History, and American History in England, New York, Washington, D.C., France, and Italy. Prior to joining ECC, I was the Volunteer Director at Ride On Center for Kids (ROCK) in Georgetown where I supervised over 350 active volunteers per week.
What drew you to Eastside Community Connection?
During college, I was a student leader, actively involved in student government and several other student organizations. So naturally, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with students who are aspiring young adult leaders. Now, I get to help college students learn about non-profits and play a role in fostering their desire to be active in our community. My hope is that when they have gone through ECC and graduated from college, that they still maintain that desire and recognize the importance of giving back to society.
What are you the most excited about this year?
I am very excited about working with the spring interns and helping them develop and grow their respective programs. Some of my short-term goals include networking and expanding ECC’s name recognition in the community and creating new fundraising initiatives. Long-term, I want to grow ECC’s programs and increase its capacity to serve East Austin.
Do you have any advice for students considering a career in the non-profit sector?
While you are still in school, take advantage of the business classes that are offered. Non-profits are always looking for ways and opportunities to fundraise.
Also, I would highly recommend getting involved by volunteering, and of course, through internships. Get as much of diversified experience as you can—try not to get stuck playing one role.
Finally, and most importantly, just follow your heart!
Fun Facts about Chandra
- She’s a total anglophile and an expert on the British monarchy. She was once allowed to sit in Queen Elizabeth’s Chair in the Chapel of the Order of the Bath at Westminster Abbey.
- She’s traveled to 12 countries and has taught students in nine.
- She likes to make chocolate and cheese (not together!)
- She originally attended TWU as a Dance and Drama major
- She taught astronomy labs as an undergraduate teaching assistant at UNT and taught English to computer engineers while studying in Taiwan.
- She was active in UNT’s Model International Organization and competed in Model United Nations, Model Organization of American States, and Model Arab League conferences across the country.
- She has two cats: Eleanor Roosevelt and Simon Bolivar, and a bird named Howard Hughes
