Dr. Linda Simpson
Assistant Chair and Professor Office: 2107 - Buzzard HallPhone: 217-581-5808
Fax: 217-581-6090
Email: ldsimpson@eiu.edu
Website: /finlit/
INTRODUCTION
Dr. Linda Simpson, Ph.D., CFCS, CPFFE has been a faculty member at 麻豆国产 since 1997. Her subject matter expertise is in the areas of consumer studies, family resource management, and financial literacy. She has numerous publications and has presented at local, state, national, and international conferences on the topics of online teaching and learning, budgeting and debt management, and consumer behavior.
My 麻豆国产 Story
Signficant Contributinos to the University and Beyond
Pioneer in online education, teaching Eastern Illinois University’s first online course in 1999 and playing a key role in shaping the institution’s early digital learning environment. Contributed to the establishment of the Center for Academic Technology Services, mentored faculty in online course development, served as a Quality Matters reviewer, and earned one of the university’s earliest Quality Online Course designations. Recognized for expertise in instructional technology and course design through grants, honors, and presentations at local, state, national, and international conferences, as well as consulting with institutions nationwide.
Leader in financial literacy education, founding and coordinating the Financial Literacy Minor and securing a competitive grant to establish the Literacy in Financial Education (LIFE) Center. Expanded impact beyond the university through financial literacy initiatives for parents, youth, and older adults, and through curriculum development with global reach, including educational programming for more than 700 women in rural India.
Experienced academic leader and community contributor, serving in roles including Department Chair and Assistant Chair. Contributed to faculty search committees, accreditation processes, and university leadership initiatives, while engaging in professional service at the state and national levels, nonprofit board service, and ongoing community involvement.
Honors, Awards, & Achievement and Contribution Awards – Eastern Illinois University
2022-2023 Teaching
2010-2011 Service
2006-2007 Service
2005-2006 Teaching
2004-2005 Balanced
2003-2004 Teaching
2000-2001 Service
1997-1998 Research
2025 Luis Clay Mendez Distinguished Faculty Service Award
2024 Dale & Deb Wolf Outstanding Service Award
2022 Achieved the Quality Online Course designation for HSL 2300G
2021 CHHS Hanner Teaching Excellent Award
2019 Mather Lifeways Innovation, Honorable Mention - Related to research project/grant associated with the Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Foundation.
2018 Rodney S. Ranes Graduate Faculty Mentor Award Nominee
2016 Family Economics and Resource Management Community Exceptional Education Program Award American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
This award recognized an individual or team who made a contribution to individuals, families and communities through exceptional educational programming in family economics and/or resource management.
2015 Distinguished Service Award from the 麻豆国产 School of Continuing Education (awarded to the School of Family and Consumer Sciences when I served as Chair)
2015 Outstanding Leadership Award from the 麻豆国产 Graduate School (co-winner with Lisa Moyer)
2010 Rodney S. Ranes Graduate Faculty Mentor Award Nominee
Faculty Mentor (Thesis Advisor) – Master’s Thesis Award of Excellence in the Lumpkin, College Business and Applied Sciences, 2010
2010 麻豆国产 Graduate Showcase – Financial Health Education series was selected to be presented
Excellence in the Use of Technology Award, 2003, Eastern Illinois University
Recognition of Service to Technology Enhanced and Delivered Education, 2001, Eastern Illinois University
Outstanding Achievement in Technology Award, 2001 (First recipient of this award) School of Adult and Continuing Education, Eastern Illinois University
Recognition of Scholarly Achievement, 2001, Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences, Eastern Illinois University
Outstanding Professor, School of Family and Consumer Sciences, 2000, Selected by the Dean’s Student Advisory Council
Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences, Eastern Illinois University
Education & Training
Doctor of Philosophy in Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1994
Master of Science, Eastern Illinois University at Charleston,1989
Bachelor of Science, Eastern Illinois University at Charleston,1984
Community
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children) of East Central Illinois Board Member
Publications
Book Author
Simpson, L. D. (2023). Mindful & Intentional Money Management: An Unbeatable System to Calm the Chaos. Morgan James.
Refereed Publications
Simpson, L. & Jang, D. (under review). What actually works? A meta-analysis of financial literacy interventions across age groups and delivery methods
Jang, D. & Simpson, L. (in publication). What teens learn about money on TikTok: A qualitative content analysis of #TeenFinance Videos. Journal of Social Media Research.
Brooks, L. & Simpson, L. (2014). Experiential learning in higher education: Implications for improving the employability of FCS graduates. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, (106)2. 16-21.
Huxel, C., Burns, M., O’Rourke, K., & Simpson, L. (2012). Comparison of nutritive value, cost, viscosity, and acceptability among developed oral nutritional supplements and commercially prepared supplements. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 112(S9): A-57.
Simpson, L. Smith, R., Taylor, L, & Chad, J. (2012). College debt: An exploratory study of risk factors among college freshmen and its effect on college choice. Journal of Student Financial Aid, 42(1). 16-27.
Simpson, L., Taylor, L., O’Rourke, K., & Shaw, K. (2011). An analysis of consumer behavior on Black Friday. American International Journal of Contemporary Research. 1(1).
Gibbs, W. & Simpson, L. (2008). An analysis of temporal norms in online discussions. International Journal of Instructional Media, 35(1)
Simpson, L. & Dallas, L. (2004). Online Assessment. The Journal for the Liberal Arts and Sciences, 8(1), 26-28
Simpson, L. & McCallister, P. (1999). Cyberspace marketplace: Opportunities for consumer education. Journal of Consumer Education, 17, 27-32.
Simpson, L. & Douglas, S. (1998). Adolescents’ purchasing role structure when shopping by catalog for clothing. Clothing and Textile Research Journal, 16(2), 98-104.
Simpson, L., Douglas, S., & Schimmel, J. (1998). Tween consumers: Catalog clothing purchase behavior. Adolescence, 33(131), 637-644.
Simpson, L. & Douglas, S. (1997). Teens and catalogs: Their evaluations, behavior, and education. The Journal of Consumer Education, 15, 9-16.
Simpson, L. & Lakner, H. B. (1993). Perceived risk and mail order shopping for apparel. Journal of Consumer Studies and Home Economics, 17, 377-389.
Refereed Abstracts/Conference Proceedings
American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Proceedings
Simpson, L. (2014). Financial literacy: Putting a plan into action
Sanantonio, C., Simpson, L., Moyer, L., & Frank, J. (2013) Montessori principles and the home environment
Simpson, L., Berbaum, A., O’Rourke, K., & Taylor, L. (2012). Consumer socialization: The relationship with compulsive buying behavior
Simpson, L., Taylor, L., O’Rourke, K., Shaw, K., Bowers, J., & Reifsteck, D. (2012). Back in black: Observing consumers on “Black Friday”
Meadows, M. & Simpson, L. (2004). Change: The impact of technology on families and consumers
Simpson, L, Wayland, J., & Kemmerer, B. (2000). Attitudes of college students toward outshopping vs. local shopping in a rural university community
Simpson, L. & Douglas, S. (1995). Catalog clothing purchases of adolescents: A consumer socialization perspective
Funding & Grants
Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Foundation 2021, Principal Investigator
Led the successful process of funding a pilot student for the STEM program offered through the Mattoon, IL YMCA. Total Award Amount = $30,000
Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation, 2020
Title: Smart Home Automation for Independent Living. The12-month project provided persons with paralysis information about the benefits of smart devices and direct, in-home assistance in their installation, programming and use. The rationale for the project is that without this guidance and assistance, persons with paralysis will not benefit from smart home automation that could enhance their independence. Total Award Amount = $25,000
Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Foundation 2020, Principal Investigator
Title: Smart Technology & Services Supporting Independent Living. The 12-month project supported funding to: 1) determine whether smart devices and smart grid services can improve the quality of life and affordability for seniors residing in independent and assisted living (I&AL) facilities and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), and the technical and operational requirements to accommodate their use, 2) provide older adults and people with disabilities information resources and technical assistance to enable their use of smart devices and utility smart grid pricing programs, with the intent of enhancing their ability to live more independently and affordably, and 3) development and pilot testing of a statewide Smart Technology Mentor Program (STMP) that matches older adults and people with disabilities with student mentors ready to assist them in setting up smart devices in their homes. Total Award Amount = $300,000
Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Foundation 2019, Principal Investigator
Title: Illinois Smart Technologies Assisting Aging Residents. The 12-month project helped older adult homeowners (target audience) in their adoption of smart grid program offerings and smart home technologies to enable them to age better in place. The three major activities include: 1) Educational & Training Activities, 2) Outreach Activities, and 3) Development of Deployment Resources. Total Award Amount = $300,000
Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Foundation 2018, Principal Investigator
Title: Illinois Seniors Smart-Home Initiative: Information Resources, Training & Outreach. The 12-month project sought to accelerate senior consumer participation in utility smart grid programs and use of smart grid-enabled home energy management (HEM) devices in their homes. Total Award Amount = $300,000.
Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Foundation 2017
Title: Smart Energy Consumer Independence Initiative. The purpose was to enhance the quality of life and independence of senior citizens and consumers with disabilities
Total Award Amount = $200,00.
TIAA-CREF and National Council on Graduate Studies, Principal Investigator
One of fifteen universities selected to receive a $40,000 to enhance college student’s financial literacy 2013-2015
Frequently Taught Courses
Personal and Family Financial Literacy
Family Budgeting and Debt Management
Human Services Programs and Resource Management
See Financial Literacy Minor web site