Sederick Charles Rice to run for the Zone 1 Pine Bluff School District Board seat currently held by Harold Jackson.

He is a 1994 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (BS-Biology); a 1996 graduate of Delaware State University (MS-Biology); and a 2003 graduate of the University of Vermont (Ph.D.- Cell Biology).

“Education in our community is too important for current and future scholars to not try to bring new ideas and focus to educational leadership in the PBSD,” Rice said in a news release.

“Student and teacher morale is low, and many parents are frustrated with the direction of education (at) all levels in the district. The PBSD needs a new advocate that is a responsible, invested, caring and experienced educator.

“I thank and appreciate Mr. Jackson’s service on the school board for the last eight years, but it’s time to move the PBSD in a new and better direction. I do not have all the answers, but with community input, support and time, I will serve with energy, pride and a focused vision to assist the PBSD in more effectively educating the next generation of scholars.”

Rice is an associate professor of biology and director of the Math and Science Pre-College Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Center at UAPB. In these positions he is responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate students, conducting research on the role of 3D visualization and learning, and supervising the K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Center, which provides educational outreach and training to K-12 teachers in the central region of the Arkansas Delta, the news release said.

Rice also holds a Biology/Life Science K7-12 teaching license from the state of Arkansas and is an adjunct faculty member of Southeast Arkansas College where he teaches adult education math, science, social studies and language arts evening courses.

His board, commission and organization affiliations include being chair of the UAPB Faculty/Staff Senate, chair of the Arkansas Minority Health Commission, member of the Go Forward Pine Bluff Board of Directors (Education), board member of the Ivy Center for Education, and member of the Pine Bluff Jefferson County UAPB/AM&N Alumni chapter. His former public service includes serving as a board member of the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas.

Rice is married with children. He was born and raised in Pine Bluff, lives in and has maintained a home in Zone 1 for the last 35 years and was educated in and graduated from the PBSD.