Leadership is one of the most valuable tools you can have throughout life and in your career—and college is the perfect place to spread your wings. Simmons gives women the chance to find their voice and leadership style so they graduate into confident, strong leaders in this male-dominated world. We offer a variety of leadership opportunities, from Orientation Leaders and First-year Experience facilitators to Student Goverment Officers and Peer Educators, just to name a few. Read on to find out how you can take the lead.
Emerging Leaders Program
The Emerging Leaders Program is great way to begin the journey towards becoming a leader at Simmons and beyond. It is a multi-week program for first-year and sophomore students who want to learn more about leadership. Through weekly meetings with interactive sessions and special guest speakers students learn about topics such as leadership styles, communication, and goal-setting, and begin to develop their personal definition of leadership.
Applications for the program are now available and are due in December. You can pick up an application outside of the Office of Student Leadership and Activities or download one:
Student Government
The Student Government Association represents the executive branch of the entire student body at Simmons. If you're interested in bringing about change, going into politics, creating great events, or just working with your fellow classmates, participating in Student Government is a great place to start. There are six committees within SGA: Awards/ Nominations, Election, Student Finance Board, Student Advisors on Multiculturalism, Academic Affairs, and Women's College Week Committees.
Student Organization Officers
With all the student organizations at Simmons, you'll be sure to find one to really get involved in, and joining the group's officers is a great way to get some leadership experience! Start by exploring all the organizations at Simmons on Sharklink, find one you enjoy, and check out the election requirements on their student group page.
Hall Councils
Hall councils are elected members who help govern each residence hall. Hall councils assist in formulating policy for their individual halls, bring matters of concern to the staff's attention, and provide social and recreational programs for the residents of their hall. All hall members are welcome to attend the regular meetings of hall council. Hall council elections will happen at the beginning of the fall semester.
Student Leadership Positions
The Office of Student Life and Leadership has created the Student Leadership Selection Process to make it easier to apply for several leadership positions at Simmons:
Residence Life:
Student Leadership and Activities:
Health Education:
To learn more about the application process and apply, visit the Apply to be a Leader page:
Visit the Apply to be a Leader page »
The following positions are included in the Leadership Selection Process:
The Resident Advisor (RA)
The Resident Advisor is an enrolled student who lives within the residence hall community. The RA is on the staff of the Office of Residence Life to provide support to, resources for, and advisement to students on academic, social and personal matters. The RAs receive extensive training in areas such as program and community development, crisis intervention, and interpersonal skills. RAs are also responsible for promoting a sense of community through organizing activities and programs to help residents become acquainted and to learn more about themselves and others. RAs hired are assigned to residence halls based upon individual strengths as well as departmental and community needs.
The Summer RA is an enrolled student who lives within the residence hall community from late May through late August, with a similar role to play as the academic year RA. As part of the Summer RA position, the Summer RA works in the Office of Residence Life 10 hours each week during business hours.
Position Requirements:
- Candidates must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in order to be considered for the RA position.
Full Position Descriptions :
For more information, contact:
Office of Residence Life, (location; 2nd floor Health Center)
617-521-1096
reslife@simmons.edu
or visit the SLSP Sharklink page
First Year Experience Student Facilitator
First-Year Experience (FYE) Seminar Student Facilitators help incoming first-years successfully transition to the College. The course is designed to provide first-year students with awareness of and access to the many resources on campus while connecting them with an upperclass Simmons student, a staff member, and their peers. In collaboration with FYE Staff Facilitators and using the provided course content in the FYE manual, the FYE Student Facilitators help plan and deliver weekly classes throughout the fall semester. FYE Student Facilitators are responsible for reading and responding to weekly written assignments and may have other commitments as designated by FYE Staff Facilitator.
Position Requirements:
- This position requires approximately a 3 hour a week time commitment for meetings with the staff facilitator, class preparation, and the class.
- FYE Student Facilitators will participate in training in the fall prior to the start of the academic year.
Full Position Description:
For more information, contact:
Susan Chudd, Interim Director of Student Leadership and Activities, MCB W-002
617-521-2421
susan.chudd@simmons.edu
or visit the SLSP Sharklink page
Orientation Leader
Orientation Leaders (OLs) are Simmons students who assist with all aspects of Undergraduate Orientation, including programming for particular populations such as Dix Scholars, Transfer Students, and international students. OLs are responsible for a group of incoming students and their participation in the Summer Orientation and Fall Orientation. OLs set up events, sit on panels, and answer questions regarding the College. OLs facilitate group discussions and team builders and serve as leaders for new students, assisting with their transition. OLs participate in spring trainings as well as trainings a few days prior to Orientation in the summer and in the fall.
Position Requirements:
- Orientation Leaders should be available in June for Orientation Leader Training and Summer Orientation.
- Orientation Leaders will participate in training in the fall prior to the start of the academic year.
Full Position Description:
Orientation Leader Job Description
For more information, contact:
Susan Chudd, Interim Director of Student Leadership and Activities, MCB W-002
617-521-2421
susan.chudd@simmons.edu
or visit the SLSP Sharklink page
Student Finance Board
The Student Finance Board (SFB) is the financial branch of the Student Government Association (SGA). It is a committee of students whose purpose is to allocate funds collected through the Undergraduate Student Activities Fee. The SFB consists of a representative of each class, a Dix Scholar, a Residence Housing Association member, four members at large, and is chaired by the Treasurer of SGA. The SFB is advised by the Office of Student Leadership and Activities. The purpose of the SFB is to ensure impartiality in all financial transactions made by organizations and to encourage an event-focused ideology to enhance"an environment that appreciates and respects a diverse and multicultural campus," (SGA Constitution). The goal of the SFB is to support a wide variety of organizations, activities, and programs that will benefit the Simmons community.
Position Requirements:
- Must attend all SFB meetings in their entirety. This includes any monthly meetings, appeal hearings and virtual meetings (via email).
- Monthly budget meetings are approximately 4 hours in length.
- Attend the monthly budget vote meetings of SGA, unless excused by the SFB advisor, and be prepared to answer questions posed by SGA senators regarding funding allocations.
Full Position Description:
Student Finance Board Job Description
For more information, contact:
Susan Chudd, Interim Director of Student Leadership and Activities and Residence Life, MCB W-002
617-521-2421
susan.chudd@simmons.edu
or visit the SLSP Sharklink page
Peer Educators
Peer Educators (PEs) will be selected to be trained to teach other students the following educational programs: Drugs and Alcohol, Betsy's Friends, EAT, Relaxation Techniques, SEX, Time and Stress Management, Smoking Cessation, Sexual Assault Education, HIV/AIDS Education, and Positive Strategies for Communication @ Simmons. The PEs will present the programs in residence halls, classes, and to student organizations. Peer educators may select up to two areas to be trained to teach. Commitment includes weekly one-hour trainings, co-teaching with other peer educators, scheduling programs, developing handout materials, table tents, and awareness campaigns in their area. Educators will become leaders in their areas and part of a support network throughout the campus.
Position Requirements:
- No pre-requisites are necessary to be a PE, as you will receive appropriate training
- PEs should plan on approximately 2 hours a week, with hours increasing during times of high demand for programs.
Full Position Description:
For more information, contact:
Elise Phillips, Director of Health Education and Student Support, Health Center, Rm 11
617-521-1001
elise.phillips@simmons.edu
or visit the SLSP Sharklink page
Student Health Educator
Student Health Educators administer the student health and peer education program at Simmons college; to educate the Simmons student community by providing leadership and direction to the educational programs; to be a resource and provide referral information, to provide weekly trainings to peer education groups, to be a leader on campus; to raise awareness and provide information about women's health issues and prevention; and to meet regularly with the director of health education.
Position Requirements:
- Complete all the requisite training to be a Peer Educator
- SHEs should plan on approximately 2 hours a week, with hours increasing during times of high demand for programs.
Full Position Description:
For more information, contact:
Elise Phillips, Director of Health Education, Health Center, Rm 11
617-521-1001
elise.phillips@simmons.edu
or visit the SLSP Sharklink page
Student Leadership Recognition Ceremony
The Student Leadership Recognition Ceremony is an annual event that honors student leaders and their contributions to the community. Nomination Packets for this year's Leadership Awards will be available and are due to the Student Government Association Mailbox (W-008). Pick one up in the Office of Student Leadership and Activities.
Leadership Workshops
The Office of Student Leadership and Activities can work with you to create Leadership Workshops that meet your needs or the needs of your organization. If you would like us to create a workshop, training, or retreat, please contact a staff member in the Office.
Upcoming Workshops
We will be offering some specific open workshops in the Spring 2011. Please check back here for more information about these workshops. If there are any specific workshops you would like to see, please email us at leadership@simmons.edu us.
Leadership Resources
These documents are designed to help student leaders make effective programs, work effectively with offices, and connect with other helpful resources.
For leaders planning events:
Forms for approval
- Funding Request
- Media Request - Bring completed form to Tech Desk in the Library
- Space Reservations
- Request for University President
If you have questions about any of these programs, please contact Susan Chudd, Assistant Director of Student Leadership and Activities by calling 617-521-2421 or emailing susan.chudd@simmons.edu
