Dr. Katie Sims
Instructional Assistant Professor
Biography
Dr. Katie Sims is an Instructional Assistant Professor in the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences (FYCS) at the University of Florida. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in topics relating to prevention, youth development, and family science, preparing students for careers in human services and community-based work. She is also an academic advisor in the department.
Dr. Katie started teaching in the FYCS department in 2018 as one of the first to go through the YDFS Mentored-Teaching Program. She now serves as a mentor to others going through that very same program. She has also taught in the Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies at UF and in the Doctor of Social Science in Prevention Science program at Wilmington University. Recognized for her dedication to her students, she was awarded the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA)- Graduate Student Teaching Award as well as the Center for Teaching Excellence- Rising Star Award. She aims to create supportive, engaging learning environments through meaningful, applied coursework.
Dr. Katie is a proud triple Gator with degrees from UF in Anthropology, FYCS and Youth Development and Family Sciences and a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies. She was also a transfer student from Santa Fe College where she was dual enrolled while in high school at Buchholz right here in Gainesville. As a lifelong Gator with deep roots in Gainesville, she brings a strong appreciation for the UF community into her teaching and mentoring.
Contact Information
kmsims@ufl.edu
Office:
3041-D McCarty Hall D
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Education
- PhD, University of Florida, Youth Development and Family Sciences
- MS, University of Florida, Family, Youth and Community Sciences
- BA, University of Florida, Anthropology
- AA, Santa Fe College, Business Administration & Anthropology
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Professional Experience
- Instructional Assistant Professor (Spring 2026-present), University of Florida, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences
- Postdoctoral Associate (Spring 2024-Spring 2026), University of Florida
- Florida PROSPERs- Program Coordinator (Spring 2024-Spring 2026), USDA-NIFA RHSE grant-funded program
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Teaching
Dr. Katie teaches a variety of courses at the undergraduate and graduate level.
Some courses taught include:
- FYC 2331: An Ounce of Prevention- Building Resilience in Communities
- FYC 3201: Foundations of Youth Development
- FYC3112: Family Problems and Interventions
- FYC 6207: Adolescent Problematic Behaviors
- FYC 6802: Advanced Research Methods for FYCS
- Publications
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Awards and Honors
- Center for Teaching Excellence- Rising Star Award, Spring 2026
- North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA)- Graduate Student Teaching Award, Summer 2019