Simmons Academic Mentors (SAMs)

SAMs will also hold weekly drop in hours throughout the year to answer any questions you might have. SAMs also facilitate programming to support you throughout your first year at Simmons. If you think you might have something in common with any SAM or have a question about one of their majors, please feel free to reach out.

Are you undecided? The SAMs can help! They can help you narrow down which courses to take and help you fill your PLAN requirements along the way. Please feel free to reach out to any SAM via email!

Schedule an appointment

If you have questions about the Simmons Academic Mentor Program, please reach out to Talia Hirsh or Sara Purisky.

Get to know our SAMs

Audra Cook

Audra is a sophomore student at Simmons. She is from New Hampshire and is studying Social Work. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and spending time with loved ones. She loves dogs and fashion, but not together. She is very open minded to new people and opportunities. Feel free to say hello!

Sarah Defanti

Sarah DeFanti is a sophomore in the Nursing Program. She is working towards a minor in Spanish as well as applying to the 4+1 Nurse Practioner program. Sarah is a member of the Student Nursing Association here at Simmons as well. Aside from classes, Sarah loves to create art, listen to music, and watch the Office and Parks and Recreation. She is thrilled to be part of the SAM team!

Maude Elovitz

Maude is a sophomore and uses she/her pronouns. She is originally from Lake Oswego, Oregon, and is currently in the 3+1 Sociology (BA) / Public Policy (MPP) program at Simmons. Maude is a student-athlete on the Simmons Crew team, and is now a co-captain of the team, too! During her freshman year, Maude was the student government association representative for Simmons Hillel, the Jewish organization on campus, and is now Hillel’s treasurer. Maude loves meeting new people, trying new restaurants in Boston, and spending time in the city! Being a SAM, Maude hopes to help students find their path at Simmons, specifically learning how to use their time wisely to balance academics and extracurriculars. If you don’t find Maude in the library, you can catch her rowing on the Charles with her team, or on a walk in the beautiful Fenway neighborhood listening to The Daily podcast by the New York Times!

Alexa Figueroa

Alexa was born and raised in Honduras and immigrated to the United States at age 13. She taught herself English while acclimating to a new life in South West Florida. Before attending college, she took a year gap where she was able to help other adult immigrants, from across the world, to learn English and adjust to life in the United States.

She's a commuter student and a current sophomore in the pre-medical track majoring in Biochemistry. At Simmons she's the SGA representative of the Chemistry and Physics liaison, and she helps editing Mind Scope magazine. She's also a member of Sunrise Movement Boston and attends Fenway Socialist meetings. She enjoys going to the beach, putting her body through pain in CrossFit sessions, watching and drawing anime, and drinking boba tea from Kung Fu Tea. As a SAM, she is willing to meet inside and outside of school, and she is looking forward to help students adjust to college life and feel welcome at Simmons and in Boston.

Brittany Gotts

Brittany is in her third year of the 3+3 Bachelors of Exercise Science and Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program here at Simmons. She is from Topsfield, Massachusetts and loves being in the city! Boston sports teams are her favorite, so you may find her at Fenway Park in her free time. While at school, Brittany works at Vineyard Vines in the Prudential Mall, but is looking forward to interning in the Down Syndrome Clinic at Boston Children’s Hospital in the fall. She is a member of the Exercise Science Liaison and is excited about her new leadership position as a SAM!

Lexie Jarosz

Lexie is a senior nursing student at Simmons. Lexie is originally from Holden, MA, near Wachusett Mountain so she LOVES being outside. When she's not outside, Lexie is working part time, and full time this summer at Boston Children's Hospital on an orthopedic surgical floor. Lexie has been working at Children's for almost TWO years now. She can't wait to continue her career here hopefully in the future. Lexie is always around for advice, tutoring, helping with a study plan or for any questions. She cannot wait to meet all of you and do not hesitate to reach out!

Kaelin Montanez

Kaelin is a Senior studying Public Health and minoring in Healthcare Management. A true New Englander born and bred from Medway, MA; Kaelin has grown up calling Boston her home. She loves the city and hopes to someday work in Healthcare Administration at one of the many amazing academic medical centers here in the city! On campus Kaelin is a member and choreographer for the Simmons University Dance Company, and loves to participate in the Fit at Simmons Classes offered at the sports center. Kaelin is extremely passionate about Public Health and as a member of the American Public Health Association is able to stay up to date with recent issues and topics coming up in the industry. Off campus Kaelin works as a sales associate at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Gift Shop.

This past May she had the opportunity to cross register at Emmanuel College as a COF student, and take a service learning course with a travel component to South Africa and Swaziland at the end of the semester. She loves to hike, drink coffee, shop, and try new brunch destinations around the city. Most often found hanging out in Common Grounds and chatting, Kaelin is sometimes known as “the social butterfly” . Kaelin looks forward to getting to know students and hopefully make their Simmons experience as memorable as her own.

Abigail PinterParsons

Abigail is a junior majoring in computer science with a minor in English. She came to Simmons as an undeclared major and has since found her path in the school and the city. She is originally from Holliston, Massachusetts. At Simmons, she is a dancer and choreographer with the Simmons University Dance Company. She is excited to be a SAM this year and share the opportunities that this school has to offer!

Jocelyne Ramos

Jocelyne is a junior Accounting major with a minor in Health Care Management. Originally from Lawrence,MA, she is excited to take advantage of all the opportunities Boston has to offer. Jocelyne’s passion for working with people, the environment, wellness and critical thinking are reflective in her involvements on campus. Jocelyne is currently involved as a Health and Wellness Ambassador at Simmons. She is also a member of the Simmons University Dance Company. When not on campus, you can spot her working as a barista at Starbucks, getting some studying done or exploring and expanding her passion for food in the diverse city of Boston. With her background as a transfer student, Jocelyne decided to become a SAM in order to help students smoothly transition to the college setting by providing them with the resources they need to succeed. If you happen to see her around, don’t be scared to say hi!

Lena Syed

Lena is a junior double majoring in Nutrition & Dietetics and Economics, and is on the pre-dental track. Her affinity towards artistry along with her interests in science and healthcare are just some of the factors that have inspired her to pursue a career in dentistry. She is a member of the Honors Program, and does research with the Chemistry and Physics Department on a project that she and two classmates designed and proposed in 2018. During her free time, she loves trying different food places in Boston, going for runs around the city, playing musical instruments, learning new things, and making people feel happy. She is very excited to continue working as a SAM this year!