News | Simmons University

Alumnae/i Feature

Capitol Police Assistant Director Julie Farnam ’00 Publishes Insider Account of January 6 Attack

Julie Farnam ’00 was Assistant Director of the Intelligence and Interagency Coordination Division of the United States Capitol Police when a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump attacked the Capitol Building on January 6, 2021. Farnam has since written a book about the experience and resultant backlash.
- Careers and Internships
- Social Justice & Advocacy
Campus & Community

Celebrating Women’s History Month 2024

As we enter the month of March it is an honor to celebrate Women’s History Month. This is an important moment to recognize the many contributions and achievements of women throughout our history, while also reaffirming our commitment to advancing...
Alumnae/i Feature

Wilfred Labiosa ’20PhD Continues the Simmons Tradition of Social Work in Puerto Rico

Wilfred Labiosa ’20PhD opened a series of Waves Ahead community centers in Puerto Rico, a nonprofit dedicated to working with marginalized and vulnerable people in Puerto Rico — most notably, LGBTQ+ elders.
Alumnae/i Feature

Molly Riportella ’12MS is helping victims of domestic violence

Molly Riportella ’12MS, a librarian in Westwood, Massachusetts, found a way to discreetly supply resources to people in violent relationships.
- Health and Wellness
- Social Justice & Advocacy
Alumnae/i Feature

Protecting the Freedom to Read: Sadina Shawver ’17MS on Book Sanctuaries, Handling Criticism, and Rising to the Challenge

Sadina Shawver ’17MS is Assistant Branch Manager in Youth Services at the Harris County Public Library in Texas, which was designated a book sanctuary in September of 2023. Shawver shares how she handles challenges to library materials, and protects the freedom to read.
- Careers and Internships
- Social Justice & Advocacy
Alumnae/i Feature

Simmons School of Social Work Alum Helps Bring Christianity out of the Closet

A recent CBS news segment chronicles the journeys of openly-gay bishops within the Episcopal Church. The story centers around trailblazer Bishop Gene Robinson, and also spotlights Jeffrey Mello ’00MSW, who became Bishop Diocesan in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut in 2022.
- LGBTQIA+
- Social Justice & Advocacy
Campus & Community

Protecting the Freedom to Read: How to Support Libraries in a Time of Increased Challenges

Professor Laura Saunders shares how she supported an anti-book banning resolution in her town of Somerville, Massachusetts.
- Community Engagement
- Social Justice & Advocacy
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Faculty Spotlight

Associate Professor offers Testimony on Act Prohibiting Body Size Discrimination

A clinical social worker and an Associate Professor of Practice in the Simmons University School of Social Work, Olivia Montgomery offers talks on anti-fat bias and health care in her community. In her virtual testimony, she related an experience visiting a new primary care physician.
- Health and Wellness
- Social Justice & Advocacy
Student Story

Simmons Students Support Local Women Experiencing Homelessness

This fall, Simmons students from the Social Action Leaders course are channeling their academic studies into advocacy. We spoke with students Felipa Arevalo '25, Lisa deRosier ’24, and Rashida Alisa Hagakore ’24 about their passion for experiential service learning and their conception of good leadership.
Alumnae/i Feature

Author Marivi Soliven ’95 Shares Stories and Language to Support the Immigrant Community

Author Marivi Soliven shares how her work as a Filipino interpreter inspires her writing and philanthropy, and her motivates her to share the Filipino experience in her work.