125 Years of Excellence
The Simmons story could, of course, fill volumes. In this special edition of Simmons Magazine, we invite you to journey through time with a sampling of stories about people and moments that have helped define our community. They show how Simmons is indeed founded for equality, and built for now.
The Living and Learning Center, the final phase of the once-in-a-generation One Simmons project, will serve as a vibrant epicenter for the entire Simmons community to share. Slated to open in January 2027, it features welcoming living spaces for students, a modern fitness and wellness center, two dining spaces, event spaces, and areas to connect, study, and socialize.
As Simmons University celebrates its 125th anniversary, culminating in a special 125th Reunion this June, the Simmons Magazine team reflected on our founding mission of empowering women through education to achieve independent livelihoods.
Maria McCauley ’17PhD says some of her fondest childhood memories are of visiting her local public library. This lifelong passion for knowledge is part of the reason she decided to pursue library and information science as a second career.
Accelerated graduate education is a key feature that drew Kayla Pringle ’26 to Simmons. With the launch of the Simmons Edge, all undergraduate students will have the opportunity to graduate with an advanced degree in a wide selection of fields in as few as four or five years.
A flexible and student-centered environment were two reasons why Libby Lassiter ’24 chose Simmons’ online degree completion program, which helps adult learners achieve their goal of graduating from college. “It was a great experience,” Lassiter says. “If I had my...
Early mornings and late evenings. Long practices and rigorous academic courses. Team bonding and unforgettable moments. These are just a few of the hallmarks of the student-athlete experience at Simmons, according to field hockey player Sydney Gonyea ’25 and softball pitcher Piper Kinney ’26.
Meet the new deans of Simmons’ School of Library and Information Science; School of Sciences and Health Professions; Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences; School of Social Work; School of Management; and School of Nursing.
Esta Soler ’68, ’06HD is the President of Futures Without Violence (FUTURES). Based in San Francisco, Boston, and Washington D.C., this nonprofit organization aims to prevent violence against women and families.
A World War II military veteran turned journalist, Professor Emeritus Alden W. Poole was a faculty member and later chair of Simmons’ Department of Communications from 1955 to 1986. He taught courses in journalism, article writing, and copyediting. Poole also supervised contributors of the student newspaper (then called Janus).
Gregory Maguire '78MA, best-selling author of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, reflects on his time as one of the first graduates of the Master of Arts in Children’s Literature program at Simmons, now celebrating its 50th anniversary.
What type of student are you?
What type of student are you?
What type of student are you?