Favorite Quote: “Educating yourself does not mean that you were stupid in the first place; it means that you are intelligent enough to know that there is plenty left to LEARN.” Melanie Joy

Dr. Mia A. Simmons is a native of Atlanta, GA. Her Bachelors in computer Science and Master’s in Information Technology degrees she received from North Carolina A&T SU. Dr. Simmons received her Doctoral Degree in Leadership and Organization in Information Systems before the age of 30 from the University of Phoenix.

She has held several corporate technical positions as a Software Engineer, Marketing Engineer, Business Process Analyst & Sr. Project Manager. She currently holds the position as the Business Continuity Risk Liaison, along with being the Engineering Professor at University of Akron. For 6 years, Dr. Simmons was the IT Department Chair & Advisor for South University in Warrensville Hts.

She loves being active in various organizations such as Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She also holds the Operations Manager role for PURE Productions (non-profit theater organization). She has always had a passion for helping and developing individuals.

In 2015 she started a Big Sister Mentorship Program called Excellence of A Pearl (EOAP), where she focuses on building integrity and self Esteem for girls ages 10-18. Because of her persistence and trusting God, she started with only 8 girls & now she has over 45 in the program. Along with an In-School EOAP program at New Tech East, Richmond Hts., and Maple Heights School District. She is also the co-Founder of FIST, our young men’s mentorship program.