This Spring, students enrolled in a unique Simmons School of Management (SOM) course, “Applied Inclusive Leadership: Project Management for Real-World Impact” (BUS 375), taught by Kristen Palson, COO of the Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership and Executive Producer of the Simmons Leadership Conference, and SOM Dean Astrid Sheil.
A combination of academic and professional preparation, students led teams and followed a project management schedule required for the successful execution of the Simmons Leadership Conference 2025 (SLC), held on March 20.
“This was a roll-up-your-sleeves and work kind of course,” says Palson. “There were readings and reflections designed to create self-awareness, and opportunities to test your skills in real time, then reflecting on what worked and what didn’t work. Above all, the class was an experience in critical thinking and project work, as individuals and as team members.”
In addition, a range of women leaders were invited as guest speakers.
“Our goal is to expose Simmons students to the many different paths people take in the professional world. These stories highlight that career journeys are rarely linear — a reality that is both normal and common,” says Palson. “For many of our undergraduate students, hearing these experiences was eye-opening, especially as they may have expected a more straightforward or predictable career path.”
For Dean Sheil, the course offered an experience to challenge students’ problem-solving skills, enhance their communication and team interaction, and increase their sense of confidence, agency, and efficacy. In addition, it served to reestablish close ties between the SOM and the Institute.
A ‘Many Tentacled’ Beast
When the course began in January, the line-up of conference speakers, selection of vendors, and the event location had already been confirmed, but they were still able to cover these elements in class.
As Palson explains, “We started at the highest level: what does successful project management look like? What are the key elements? Then we used the SLC event as the project. It has so many tentacles, so many different elements that make it fun but complicated!”
The course also showcased each of the key elements of the project management process. The 14 students split into four teams covering different elements of the conference: operations, sponsors and sales, marketing, and budget/finance management. Students selected their area of interest to focus on in the months leading up to the conference, although all students also saw the full scope of these elements.
Students Behind-the-Scenes and on the Stage
On “show day,” the students served as volunteer leaders in each key area. The operations team worked to serve clients at the concierge desk and registration area. Marketing team members worked to post and deliver content on social media throughout the conference, including creating on-site mini interviews with attendees about their SLC experience.
The sales team supported the Director of Corporate Relations & Business Development, with sponsoring clients. While the Finance group was tasked with various on-site responsibilities, most of their work was done post-event, assisting in budget reconciliation.
“The students rose to the occasion. They were professional in every way imaginable and made an indelible mark on the conference and attendees,” says Dean Sheil.
“The deep learning that comes from solving problems, working with others, and leading peers is simply invaluable. You cannot achieve this kind of learning by sitting in a classroom reading a textbook.”
Vision for the Future
After the conference, a representative from a sponsoring company visited the class to share with students the client’s point of view: why they chose to support the SLC, the value for them, and why it matters.
“It was empowering for the students to meet the client,” says Palson. “And it had a real impact on the client, as well.”
As their final for the course, students shared a team presentation summarizing key insights and takeaways from their experience in the class and their work at the 2025 Leadership Conference, which they presented to University President Lynn Perry Wooten, Provost Stephanie Cosner, and senior leaders from the Institute.
“The final presentation challenged students to synthesize their experiences into clear, professional insights and to build confidence in presenting to executive audiences,” says Palson, who encouraged them to view the presentation not just as a classroom assignment, but as a valuable addition to their professional portfolio.
“This presentation should highlight your contributions to the Simmons Leadership Conference and serve as a compelling example of your work for potential employers,” she added, reinforcing the real-world application of the skills gained in the course.
Sheil and Palson are creating a new version of the class for this Fall.
"It will be more of a personal development course as students will take on individual projects related to their career goals," says Dean Sheil.
Students can register for BUS 349, Advancing Your Career.