Shout-outs from Students and Alums
Building Community Archives
Graduate student Ashten Vassar-Cain ’27MS brings a human rights approach to library and information science. We spoke with him about community archives, centering survivors, and the immersive training at Simmons.
Finding Purpose in Accelerated Nursing Program
Direct Entry Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP-FNP) student Nodira Rahimhodjayeva ’26MSN, ’27DNP loves the straightforward educational path Simmons offers. She spoke with us about what drew her to nursing and the hands-on, supportive education she is receiving at Simmons.
Congratulations to the 2026 SURPASs Scholars
Nine undergraduate scholars from disciplines across Simmons have been selected to join the Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Simmons (SURPASs). From May to June, students will receive funding and mentorship to support their independent research. The six-week program includes workshops and research presentations, culminating in a student showcase in June.
Simmons Student Researches AI at MIT and OpenAI
Nailya Alimova ’26 shares her experience as an international student in the STEM field, and how Simmons supported her AI research.
Finding Her ‘Why’: One Simmons Student’s Path to Advocacy
Kayla Baillargeon ’25 ’28MSW used her personal experiences and passion for helping others to advance a career in parent advocacy. Now, by earning her online bachelor's degree and pursuing a master's at Simmons, she is gaining the skills and credentials needed to shape the growing field.
Metafiction as a Willingness to Play
Rosie Lopolito ’29MA/MS shares how a diverse array of experiences led her to the Children’s Literature (MA) and Library and Information Science (MS) dual degree program at Simmons University.
Direct Entry Nursing Student on Impacting Patient Lives
Direct entry nursing student Hunter Lynch ’26FNP works in primary care and aspires to one day become a nursing educator. We spoke with him about hands-on learning at Simmons and the rewards of the nursing profession.
Sharing the Untold Stories at Queer History Boston
Mik Hamilton '24MS ‘24MA is the archivist at Queer History Boston, a community archive dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the rich LGBTQ+ histories of Boston and New England. Hamilton shares how the dual degree in LIS: archives management and history at Simmons prepared them for a dream job just before graduation.