Simmons College

I applied to be a part of Campus Conversations on Race (CCOR) as a first year student because I wanted to have discussions about real issues over tea. By the end of the semester I gained knowledge, friendships and valuable experiences I would not have gotten anywhere else. The following semester I was asked to co-facilitate the program and now I am on the Like Minds e-board as the CCOR representative and I'm in my fourth semester with the program.

One of my favorite parts of my job is being the advisor to OLA. Simmons College's group Organización Latina América has been around since the late 1960's. At the time, this organization was a part of BSO's group because the students wanted Simmons College to support the students of color. After 40 years much has changed. OLA is now its own group and is creating events and opportunities for dialogue. One major event during Hispanic Heritage Month has been planning and creating a retreat for the students of OLA. This is the first time this group has held a retreat! Here are some of the activities the students took part of and I helped organize:

You can walk around the Res Campus almost any night of the week, and it's not hard to come across the talent and creativity Simmons students possess. Whether it's an open-mic at Quadside, a dance rehearsal in Alumnae, or even students just practicing in their room or hall - this campus has talent! That vocal and dance talent was all on display at the 7th Annual Student Performance Showcase, part of the Simmons Family and Friends Weekend. The showcase included performances by The Simmons College Concert Choir, the Simmons College Dance Company, The Simmons Sirens, and The Simmons-Wheelock Gospel Choir, and this lineup had something for everyone.

In 1975, over 35 years ago, women took to the street in Philadelphia after Susan Speeth, a microbiologist was stabbed by a stranger while walking alone home at night. Since then, the Take Back the Night March and Rally has changed, evolved and grown. Now taking place in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and India, Take Back the Night focuses on eliminating sexual violence in all forms through the thousands of colleges, women's centers, and rape crisis centers.

As a running fanatic. I'm always trying to get people around me to sign up for a 5K. Whether you walk or run, it really doesn't matter. Just finishing a 5K is a really positive experience. But if a feeling a personal satisfaction isn't enough to get you to the start line, what about signing up for a 5K to help out a deserving local charity? It was with this extra incentive in mind that the Simmons College 5K Walk/Run for Hunger was born.

The event, on Saturday, April 21st, begins at 10:00am with check-in and registration from 8:30am to 9:45am. The start will be in the Fenway across from the MCB. Participating is free! All that is asked is that you bring a minimum donation of 5 nonperishable food items that will be donated to the Greater Boston Food Bank.

As a Campus Life Coordinator at Simmons College I have been asked to partake in some interesting events and programs. With every event I learn something about that student group and when I am really lucky I learn a little about myself. Alternative Spring Break (ASB) is one of the programs where I was challenged and learn about who I am as a staff member at Simmons and global citizen.

This year I found myself in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. The group leaders Meghan O'Beirne, Laini Cassis and Naomi Chick led the trip with nine other members and two staff members following their lead. The challenges: We woke up early, worked hard, shared a close quarters and we had to prove at times how strong women can be, especially with labor intensive work. We also faced the grim reality of living conditions for some blue collared Americans. However, the rewards from this trip overshadowed each and every one of these challenges. Working side by side with the future homeowners was a privilege. Learning about demolition work and construction taught us new skills, patience, and appreciation for perfection in craftsmanship! I built a house, built upon my skills, and built friendships.

Black Student Organization's (BSO) theme this year was Redefinition. All of the events for Black History Month have been focused around redefining what it means to be black women. No mater where you're from in the world, you are a part of BSO's goal thus year - to be accepting to all cultures and influence the lives of all colors. BSO's Soul Food: Redefined dinner showcased that goal and mission.

Learn more about Black History Month 2012 by visiting the 300 The Fenway blog post with video of BSO President Tatiana Johnson.

The Simmons Science Fiction & Fantasy Club (SSFF) is a newer organization on campus. They were founded in the Fall of 2010 and have been growing quickly in both their scope of events as well as their membership over the past two academic years. Led by fearless president Peregerine "Pippin" Macdonald the organization has grown in strength by offering consistent general membership meetings and signature events that are not duplicated by other organizations. SSFF general meetings are held every Friday and feature rotating presentations from the membership on various Science Fiction or Fantasy shows, movies or set of characters. Topics have or are scheduled to included Portal, Dr. Who, Lord of the Rings, Battlestar Galactica, Fringe, and many more. Meetings without a presentation topic are often filled with recently discovered (or old favorite) YouTube video screenings and games of Mafia.

For the second year in a row, award winning activist and spoken word poet Andrea Gibson is coming to perform at Simmons College. Originally from Maine, she eventually landed in Colorado where she began attending open mic nights. By 2008, she was the first ever winner of the Women of the World Poetry Slam and a four time Denver Grand Slam Champion. Her poems are personal, emotional, and breath taking that leaves the listener thinking.