The Dotson Bridge and Mentoring Program hosted its annual Lectureship event for in-person and virtual attendees on February 25. This year’s guest speaker, founder of the New Nurse Academy LLC, Tiffany Gibson, discussed how the art of emotional intelligence can foster inclusivity and wellbeing in nursing environments.

• Careers and Internships
• Community Engagement

Cassie Sheets-Kavanagh ’18MA, who earned her master of arts in children’s literature at Simmons, is pursuing a PhD in curriculum, instruction, and teacher education at Michigan State University.

• Careers and Internships
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We spoke to author and illustrator Damian Alexander ’18MFA about how he found his creative home in writing and illustrating books for young adults, and what drew him to the Simmons Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children.

• Careers and Internships
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Oona Metz ’93MSW is a therapist who leads therapy groups and supports women in transition. We spoke with her about her new book on navigating divorce and the essential training she received at Simmons.

• Careers and Internships

The Office of Research and Fellowships has announced the recipients of the 2025–2026 Graduate Student Research Award. This competitive, cross-disciplinary award provides up to $1,500 to five doctoral and master’s degree candidates to conduct research in the fields of mental health, social work, children’s literature, and archival preservation.

• Awards and Honors
• Research

Abigail Pearson ’26, ’27MSW is an honors student pursuing an accelerated degree in social work. We spoke with her about the vitality of an interdisciplinary education and the thriving community at Simmons.

• Careers and Internships
• Community Engagement
• Mentorship
• Research

Six undergraduate scholars from different disciplines have been selected for a $3,000 grant that supports student-driven initiatives focused on advancing scientific research and improving communities, and represents unique voices through the arts and humanities.

• Adult Student (Dix Scholar)
• Awards and Honors
• Leadership
• Mentorship
• Research

Marie Beam ’95 is the Chief Executive Officer of the Discovery Museum in Acton, MA. We spoke with her about nonprofit work, her stimulating education at Simmons, and the value of curiosity.

• Careers and Internships
• Community Engagement

A senior in the Health and Exercise Science + Physical Therapy DPT (4+3) program, Jennah Harvey ’26, ’29DPT is engrossed in her capstone project on the cardiac effects of caffeine. We spoke with her about research/internship opportunities and the welcoming atmosphere at Simmons.

• Behavioral and Health Sciences
• Careers and Internships
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Mentorship
• Research

Karen LaFleur ’97MA, a graduate of the Simmons Master’s in Children’s Literature, is a “Techspressionist” artist and writer who incorporates moving images, text, music, and artistic renderings of nature and scientific discovery into her artwork. We spoke to LaFleur about how her studies at Simmons shaped the development of her art.

• Careers and Internships