Local and state officials gathered with project and Simmons University leaders this week to celebrate a major milestone in the University’s transformational One Simmons project — the topping off of its new Living and Learning Center.
The event celebrated the placement of the final steel beam on the 19-story building — a key moment for a project that will shape the future of Simmons by unifying and modernizing the university’s Longwood Medical and Academic Area campus.
Beyond the steel beam, leaders spoke of an idea equally important and enduring: Simmons’ unique and powerful mission as Boston’s only women-centered undergraduate institution.
During the ceremony, Boston City Councilor Sharon Durkan thanked Simmons for its leadership and vision, while recognizing the University’s important role in educating future leaders.
One Simmons
Simmons University is redefining the student experience with One Simmons, a bold vision designed to unify and modernize our campus. One Simmons is our commitment to creating a vibrant, holistic, and inclusive educational environment.
“At a time when equity and opportunity are under threat in so many ways, I’m grateful for the way Simmons continues to lead — creating excellence and value for the young women they serve,” said Durkan. “The students who will live at this site will go on to transform their fields and their communities. And it all starts with a sense of belonging here. This project is more than a building. It is an investment in the future of Simmons students and the broader community.”
Interim Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development Ashley Stolba attended the Topping Off ceremony, representing Governor Maura Healey’s office. She congratulated Simmons and the project team for reaching this important milestone.
“This project is unbelievable,” said Stolba. “Projects [like these] symbolize what Massachusetts can do and what Massachusetts really is. We’re still being innovative, we’re still creating, we’re still building. …We’re so proud of all the work, the years, the sweat, and the tears that went into this project.”
Representing Mayor Michelle Wu, Deputy Chief of Policy and Strategic Planning Stephen Chan offered a powerful reflection on Simmons' significance in the City and beyond. He thanked President Wooten for her “beautiful vision,” which he said is incredibly aligned with what defines Boston.
“We are so fortunate here in Boston to be home to world-class, fearless, and visionary leading institutions of higher education,” Chan said. “Not only am I here to share and celebrate with all of you what this project means in terms of the jobs created, the economic development, the students that will be served, and the educational mission advanced, but the idea of Simmons as a university here.”
Chan emphasized Simmons' singular position in Boston’s academic landscape. “We’re building a home that students across the nation can come to — the only women-centered institution in Boston. This is remarkable and a huge milestone for celebration. Secondly, and as important, is what this institution represents in terms of discovery and ideas. …This project is a signifier of Simmons’ strength. It is deeply tied to the strength of the ideas that Boston represents — not only to our City and the Commonwealth, but to our nation and world.”
Simmons President Lynn Perry Wooten spoke about the importance of One Simmons and the University’s commitment to building a campus — and a culture — where academics, community, and connection come together in powerful and lasting ways.
“Yes, this new building will be stunning,” Wooten said. “But beyond its physical beauty, this center is designed for purpose. It will be a place where all of our students — including our commuter and graduate students — can learn, grow, and belong.”
Wooten described the Living and Learning Center as a symbol of Simmons’ mission and ability to continue to evolve during this unprecedented period of disruption for colleges and universities across the nation.
“We celebrate this achievement in a time of great change in higher education,” she said. “And yet, here at Simmons — and here in Boston — we are not shrinking from these challenges. We are embracing reinvention, reaffirming our mission, and moving forward with clarity and confidence.”
That mission, Wooten said, is deeply rooted in Simmons’ founding ideals and future-focused innovation.
“While the world around us has changed, the need for a bold, women-centered education has not,” she said. “We are not simply building new facilities. We are redefining what it means to deliver a women-centered education in today’s world — one that prepares our graduates not just to enter the workforce, but to rise, thrive, and lead in it.”
John Kibiloski, Executive Vice President at Skanska, reflected on the spirit of collaboration and purpose that has defined the Living and Learning Center from the beginning.
“This Living and Learning Center is more than a structure,” said Kibiloski. “It is a place for both tearful goodbyes with parents and lifelong new friendships forged by students in its dorm rooms; where leadership will be developed and championships achieved in its athletic facilities; and where debate and new ideas will be hatched over meals in the dining hall. It is a home where women will grow into leaders, challenge the world, and shape a future far beyond its walls.”
He continued, “The hoisting of this beam, every signature on it, the American flag, and the evergreen tree carries with it not just the hearts and perseverance of our iron workers, but also the promise of Simmons. … The Living and Learning Center stands as a beacon of empowerment and unlimited potential.”
As Simmons prepares for the opening of the Living and Learning Center in January 2027, it does so with the support of local leaders who see the University not just as a campus on the Fenway, but as a cornerstone of Boston’s future — a place where students discover their passions, hone their voices, and become the everyday leaders who make our communities thrive.
“So today, as we lift this final beam,” Wooten said, “we also lift our hopes — our shared commitment to innovation, to students, and to the enduring power of education.”
