Alternative Spring Break
Alternative Breaks are student-driven community engagement programs that promote student leadership, ethical volunteering, and social justice. These programs aim to equip students with the tools, resources, and experience to be effective leaders and allies within their local and global communities.
While the main event happens over the week of spring break, where the team engages in activities and volunteer opportunities rooted in social justice, the team also meets throughout the academic year to plan and prepare for the trip, led by two student leaders.
As an Alternative Spring Break Member you will:
- Learn about and explore social justice issues
- Engage in meaningful action and direct service
- Reflect on injustices in your community and beyond
As an Alternative Spring Break Team Leader you will:
- Co-plan the program with assistance from The London Center
- Gain invaluable leadership skills and experience
- Run group meetings and reflectional pieces
Apply to be a team leader today!
2023 Alternative Spring Break
2023 Women's Rights Washington, D.C. Trip
The 2023 Alternative Spring Break (ASB) was the first travel ASB trip since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down in-person activities. In March of 2023, a group of 10 students' across various years and various majors' traveled to Washington D.C. to explore the myriad of ways in which we can be active citizens in the fight for women's rights.
Previous Alternative Spring Break Locations
ASB can be a travel trip to various US destinations or a Boston Immersion trip, examining critical issues that affect our local community.
- Washington, D.C.
- Clemson, South Carolina
- Laredo, Texas
- Denver, Colorado
- Valdosta, Georgia
- Thibodaux, Los Angeles
Alternative Spring Break in the News
Molly Blackwell ’20, ’22DPT Makes Positive Impact Through Alternative Spring Break
We caught up with Molly about her many experiences with Alternative Spring Break and the lessons she's learned from visiting these communities.
Alternative Spring Break Takes Kat Reidl ’20 to Texas
Senior Kat Reidl ’20 was looking for a service project and quickly found her way to Alternative Spring Break! Learn more about her experience in Texas and how coming to Simmons was "an easy choice."
School of Business Students Create Boston-Focused Alternative Spring Break
For their capstone project, Azeb Freitas ’17, Alex Mireles ’17, and Trang Nguyen ’18 worked with Simmons Community Engagement to create an alternative spring break program in Boston with a local service and social justice focus.
Alternative Spring Break Takes Mary Soares ’19 to South Carolina
We caught up with Mary about her experience volunteering for Habitat for Humanity during spring break. On pursuing nursing For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a nurse. My biggest role model is my mom...