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A motivated advocate for social justice, Rayna Hill ’22MA/MPP is creating an equitable future for LGBTQ+ youth in the state of Massachusetts.

• LGBTQIA+
• Social Justice & Advocacy

In honor of the University’s 125th anniversary, we examine Barbara (Schneider) Margolis ’51 and her resolute commitment to rehabilitating incarcerated individuals. Barbara Margolis ’51, who majored in retail management (then retailing) at Simmons, became one of the nation’s most beloved prisoners’ rights advocates. Margolis developed rehabilitation and career-transition programs for male inmates at Rikers Island, the world’s largest penal complex (situated within the Bronx and accessible via a girder bridge in Queens).

• 125th Anniversary
• Simmons History
• Social Justice & Advocacy

Siblings Nathan Samuels ’05MSN 11DNP; Ashley Samuels Shields ’10; Eryn Samuels Yong ’12; and Brittany Samuels Czerw ’14 all studied nursing at Simmons University. We caught up with them about how this trend began, how they support each other in their careers, and what they most value about their nursing careers.

• Careers and Internships

Anne Villano ’22MSW says her decision to enroll in Simmons’ School of Social Work was influenced by two key factors that also shaped volunteer service she engaged in while earning her degree – and her path since graduating: life experience and an affinity for advocacy.

• Careers and Internships
• Social Justice & Advocacy

Simmons University Trustee Denise Coll ’95MBA credits her School of Management education with making a real difference in the success she had professionally in the hospitality industry. “And for that, I really wanted to give back. I hope other people...

• 125th Anniversary
• Giving
• Scholarships and Financial Aid

As the founder and owner of Leg Up Nutrition, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Allegra Egizi ’18, ’20MS helps clients attain a holistic, non-diet-based relationship with food. In honor of National Nutrition Month (March) 2025, she spoke with us about her intuitive approach and how Simmons helped jumpstart her career.

• Behavioral and Health Sciences
• Careers and Internships

Josh Ozer ’24MSW is a clinical social worker at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston where he provides one-on-one counseling to patients as well as psychosocial support to their families and caregivers.

• Careers and Internships

National Library Lovers’ Month is, according to the Boston Public Library, “a time to recognize the value of libraries and all the special things we love about them.” To celebrate National Library Lovers’ Month, we spoke with University Archivist Kelsey Kolbet ’21MS/MA about her love of archives and women’s history, and why she chose Simmons.

• Careers and Internships
• Mentorship

Corrie Locke-Hardy '20MA combines her love of baking with social activism with her cookbook, The Revolution Will Be Well Fed.

• Careers and Internships
• First-generation Student
• LGBTQIA+
• Mentorship
• Social Justice & Advocacy

Longtime classical music and opera lover Felice Coral ’74, who studied biology and nursing at Simmons and in 2014 retired from a career in consulting and oncological research, serves as a DJ for WOMR. For the Provincetown community radio station...

• Community Engagement