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The Latest News
Celebrating a Safe Space for Survivors with the Peer Education and Support Group Betsy’s Friends
Julia Wilen ’24, a double major in Spanish and Women’s and Gender Studies, with a minor in Literature and Writing, began her work supporting survivors of violence before she came to Simmons and stayed involved throughout her time at the University.
Developing a Personal Passion into to a Capstone Research Project
Exercise Science student and Barbara Lee Fellow Haleigh St.Hilaire ’24 explores the intersection of Exercise Science and Public Health through her internship at the Massachusetts State House.
Discovering an Empowering Atmosphere, Supportive Mentors, and Leadership Opportunities at Simmons
Neurobiology major Debora Edouard ’24 discusses her favorite moments at Simmons, her research, and her unique experience as a first-generation college student.
Enjoying the Opportunities at Simmons: From Studying Abroad to Internships to Research
Political Science and Spanish double major Estela Raya-Fouts ’24 discusses impactful internships, catching the travel bug, her favorite course and more Simmons memories.
Flourishing in the Community at Simmons and Completing Meaningful Internships
Bella Yee ’24 is a Public Relations and Marketing Communications major, with minors in Business and Public Policy. She is the Communications Director for the Student Government Association and Co-President of the Communications Liaison. Yee also interned for the Massachusetts legislature, most recently for the Office of Representative Adrianne Ramos.
Inspired to Expand a Summer Research Project into an Independent Study
Biology major Leila Aydibi ’24 discusses getting involved on campus, participating in a research project, being a first-generation student, and some of her favorite Simmons courses.
Reflecting on Community Service, Friendship, and Fun at Simmons
First-generation student Gia Elie ’24 has engaged in community service in the Boston area as part of the Alpha Kappa sorority. She has also been involved with the Black Student Organization and has completed two internships. She counts the friendships she has made at Simmons as one of her most transformative experiences.
Reflecting on Opportunities in Communications and the Decision to Chase a Career in Journalism
Rachel Andriacchi ’24 majored in Communications and is the Op-Ed Editor of The Simmons Voice, the student news site of Simmons University, and the Co-Editorial Lead of CommTracks, the annual magazine produced by seniors from the Communications Department. Now approaching graduation, Andriacchi reflects on their experience at Simmons.
Leadership in the News
Discovering an Empowering Atmosphere, Supportive Mentors, and Leadership Opportunities at Simmons
Neurobiology major Debora Edouard ’24 discusses her favorite moments at Simmons, her research, and her unique experience as a first-generation college student.
Reflecting on Community Service, Friendship, and Fun at Simmons
First-generation student Gia Elie ’24 has engaged in community service in the Boston area as part of the Alpha Kappa sorority. She has also been involved with the Black Student Organization and has completed two internships. She counts the friendships she has made at Simmons as one of her most transformative experiences.
Library and Information Science PhD Student Named Acting Director of IMLS
Cyndee Landrum, a student in the Simmons University Library and Information Science PhD, has been named Acting Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Simmons Alum Kelly O’Connell Champions Women and Nonbinary Entrepreneurs
Since joining the Simmons University Alumnae/i Association Executive Board (AAEB), Kelly O’Connell ’99 has helped launch the Simmons Tuesday Tea Podcast, and co-hosted the Byond Balance event last November. On April 2, AAEB is hosting a special Simmons campus screening of “Show Her The Money,” a documentary that delves into the gender gap in venture capital funding with a focus on empowering women entrepreneurs.
Simmons Welcomes Passionate Leaders Project Scholars for Spring 2024
The Passionate Leaders Project (PLP) supports Simmons undergraduates by enriching their academic and professional interests beyond the boundaries of a conventional classroom. Students may request up to $4,000 to support their research, internships, and creative endeavors. This semester’s cohort comprises student-scholars producing original research on healthcare for seniors, fashion sustainability, and the intersection of the arts, social justice, and gender-expansive agency.
Dr. Ena Williams Champions Workplace Diversity in Dotson Bridge and Mentoring Program Lectureship Event
On February 29, the Dotson Bridge and Mentoring Program, directed by Associate Professor of Practice LaDonna Christian, hosted a Lectureship Event with Dr. Ena Williams. Her lecture, entitled, “Experiences of Racial and Ethnic Minority Nurses: Our Role in Advancing Workforce Diversity,” identified workplace biases and underscored the need for mentorship, racial equity, and organizational change.
Blowing the Horn for Children’s Literature: One Hundred Years of The Horn Book Magazine
In October of 1924, the first issue of The Horn Book magazine appeared. It began as a newsletter from the Bookshop for Boys and Girls, one of the first children’s book shops in the United States, established in 1916 by...
Inclusion & Impact: Honoring Change Makers Of Our Time
We are proud that this year marks the 125th anniversary of Simmons University, an institution founded for equality and dedicated to furthering social justice and economic mobility. We are also celebrating 45 years of The Simmons Leadership Conference , an...
STEM in the News
Debora Edouard ’24 and Kadijah McClean ’24 Open Simmons Chapter of the National Society of Black Women in Medicine
Established in 2017, the National Society of Black Women in Medicine is committed to increasing the recruitment and retention of Black women pursuing careers in the medical field. This academic year, Neurobiology major Debora Edouard ’24 and Biochemistry and Public Health minor Kadijah McClean ’24 co-founded the Simmons chapter of the Society.
Simmons Welcomes Passionate Leaders Project Scholars for Spring 2024
The Passionate Leaders Project (PLP) supports Simmons undergraduates by enriching their academic and professional interests beyond the boundaries of a conventional classroom. Students may request up to $4,000 to support their research, internships, and creative endeavors. This semester’s cohort comprises student-scholars producing original research on healthcare for seniors, fashion sustainability, and the intersection of the arts, social justice, and gender-expansive agency.
Professor Jennifer Roecklein-Canfield Selected as a 2024 Fellow of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Jennifer Roecklein-Canfield, Professor of Chemistry and Physics at Simmons, is among the 2024 cohort of Fellows within the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). She spoke with us about receiving this honor, advocating for women in STEM, and reimagining mentorship.
Associate Professor of Biology Eric Luth Co-Authors Scientific Article with Former Students
Neurobiologist Eric Luth recently co-authored a peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A (October 2021) with several of his students: Celine Breton ’21, Kaitlyn Kessel ’23, Ariel Robinson ’19, and Kainat Altaf ’22. The piece traces developmental abnormalities among worm populations after exposure to environmental contaminants.
Honoring 50 Years of the Park Science Center and Celebrating a New Era at Simmons University
At the time it was built in the early 1970’s, the Park Science building served as a symbol of progress and achievement in women's-centered education. It challenged gender norms and societal expectations while promoting inclusivity and diversity in academia.
Dr. Stacey Pazar Huth ’87 Shares Family’s Multigenerational History with Simmons
Chemist and biomedical product developer Stacey Pazar Huth ’87 is a leading woman in medical diagnostics and research and development. Her connection to Simmons also involves her father, who helped build the campus, and her daughter, a current nursing major. We spoke with Huth about her Simmons journey, the gender bias in STEM, and her understanding of legacy.
Simmons Creates Paths to Engineering
Simmons University is officially partnered with Washington University in St. Louis in the Engineering 3+2 program, in addition to Columbia University. As part of this program, students complete three years of course work at Simmons, followed by two additional years at a partner institution, earning both a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and a Bachelor of Science from Simmons.
Eva Piernas' Journey from Simmons University to Infectious Disease Research ('23)
How Did Eva's Time at Simmons University Shape Her Path in Science? Eva Piernas, a recent 2023 alumni, reflected upon her journey at Simmons University, where she majored in Neuroscience on the neurobiology track and minored in Chemistry. As she...
Faculty in the News
Professor Jennifer Roecklein-Canfield Selected as a 2024 Fellow of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Jennifer Roecklein-Canfield, Professor of Chemistry and Physics at Simmons, is among the 2024 cohort of Fellows within the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). She spoke with us about receiving this honor, advocating for women in STEM, and reimagining mentorship.
Associate Professor of Social Work Olivia Montgomery Promotes Fat Liberation
In December of 2023, Simmons School of Social Work Associate Professor Olivia Montgomery offered virtual testimony in support of a bill prohibiting body size discrimination. In a presentation to the Simmons community in February, Montgomery offered an introduction to Fat Liberation in Social Work, examining the root causes of anti-fatness and its widespread consequences.
School of Social Work Dean Among Most Impactful Contributors
School of Social Work Dean Michael LaSala was included in the 100 Most Impactful Global Contributors to Social Work Publications, a list published by Sage Journals.
Assistant Professor Patrick Sylvain Offers Insights into Crisis in Haiti
After armed groups overran Port-au-Prince, thereby displacing thousands of residents and hindering access to food, Haiti’s government declared a state of emergency on March 4, 2024. According to Sylvain, Haiti must cultivate strong leadership to overcome the current crisis.
Assistant Professor of History Yunxin Li Examines Gendered Foundations of Ancient Chinese Medicine
In a recent article published in The Bulletin of the Jao Tsung-I Academy of Sinology, Assistant Professor of History Yunxin Li explores the role of women and gender in the theory and practice of medicine in ancient China. She spoke with us about her research and what she will reflect on during Women’s History Month.
Nursing Faculty and Alumnae/i Receive Award for Advancing Palliative Care in Bangladesh
Professor Emerita Anne-Marie Barron and Associate Professor of Practice Kelly Marchant, along with collaborators Emily Erhardt, Jocelyn Hulburt ’08BSN, and Nisha Wali ’21FNP, recently received the 2023 Award of Excellence from the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC).
De-Mystifying the Microbiome with Diet
Despite all the hype about probiotics and detoxifying “gut resets,” scientists still do not have a general consensus regarding what constitutes a healthy gut. Biologists and dieticians have, however, identified correlations between a healthy microbiome and a healthy diet. “Plant...
Simmons Nutrition Professor Discusses How to Make Salad Dressing Healthy
Health-conscious individuals gravitate toward greens, but they may be wary of the extra calories that salad dressing contains. “I don’t want people to worry about salad dressing to the point that they’re not eating the salad. Eat the salad,” Professor of Nutrition Teresa Fung told NBC’s Today.com.
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