Welcome to Virtual Orientation!
We are thrilled you have decided to join the Simmons family. As a Shark, you now belong to a dynamic community of leaders and scholars. You will be able to explore new possibilities and take advantage of the experiences and opportunities that Simmons has to offer. Go Simmons Sharks!
Virtual Orientation Schedule
June Orientation sessions are the first part of your introduction to Simmons. You will hear from Orientation Leaders, faculty, and staff as they provide you with the knowledge and resources you will need to be set up for success. We can’t wait to see you there!
The below schedule is for Virtual June Orientation Session B on June 20th.
1:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Welcome Session: Welcome address from Alicia LaPolla, Assistant Dean of First Year Programs. Overview of Schedule of Events.
1:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Campus Life Panel: Representatives from the Center for Leadership and Engagement, Community Engagement, Colleges of the Fenway, and Athletics will discuss how you can get connected and stay engaged at Simmons.
1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Academic Life in the First Year: Learn all about the Simmons PLAN curriculum and hear from faculty first-year advisors. They will describe what you can expect from selecting courses and the academic guidance you will receive as a First Year student.
2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Student Success and Support Panel: Hear from the Offices of Accessibility Services, Global Education, Career Education Center, and Information Technology. They will review the resources and support available to Simmons students to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closing Session with Orientation Leaders: Want to know what it’s really like to be a Simmons student? Orientation Leaders will be on hand to talk about their experiences and answer your questions!
Take a Virtual Tour
At Simmons, you’ll study and live in our small college environment while enjoying all the resources of a major academic hub. Want to see for yourself? Take a tour around campus with Simmons alumna and former tour guide, Kaitlin Maloney '19!
A Day in the Life of a Simmons Student
Maralee Mitchell ‘20 shows us what a typical day looks like for a Simmons student.
Our Students
Congratulations to the 2025 SURPASs Scholars
Eight undergraduate scholars from disciplines across Simmons have been selected to join the Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Simmons (SURPASs). SURPASs students receive the necessary funding and mentorship to execute an independent research project of their own design.
Undergraduate Receives Prize from New England Poetry Club
Houley Koundourou ’28, a double major in Writing and Political Science, recently won the 2025 Victor Howes Prize in Poetry, awarded on behalf of the New England Poetry Club. We spoke with Koundourou about poetic inspiration, her Senegalese ancestry, and the value of a women’s-centered education.
Celebrating Online Degree Completion Graduates, Class of 2025
Felipa Arevalo and Christina Orfanos are among the 2025 graduates in the Simmons Online Degree Completion Program for adult learners. We spoke to a few graduates about what the program meant to them.
Computer Science Researchers Develop Humanitarian Software
As part of Simmons’ Faculty-Student Collaborative Fellowship program, computer science majors Maleehah Africawala ’25, Fayza Beshir ’25, Emily Douglas ’25, and Megan McNamara ’25 worked under the supervision of Professor Nanette Veilleux to develop humanitarian software for Simmons’ REEF Support Center.
Unsung Contributions to the History of Nursing
School of Nursing student Ava Dugan ’27 was selected as the winner of the American Association for the History of Nursing’s (AAHN) annual essay contest for Nursing students. Dugan's essay highlighted nurses often overlooked in history books, in spite of the impact of their contributions.
Cultivating Diverse Perspectives, in Boston and Abroad
Mariana Rodríguez Rivera ’25 shares her experience with the Passionate Leaders Project, her study abroad experience, and how Simmons has prepared her for a career in accounting.
Exploring a Global Perspective on Policy Work
Madd Witaconis ’25 discusses the Political Science and Public Policy 3+1 program, and reflects on interning abroad, and finding community at Simmons.
Honing Hands-on Editing and Interdisciplinary Journalism
Alicia Guzman ’25 reflects on the supportive faculty members she found at Simmons, her favorite courses, the research projects she conducted, and how she became inspired to pursue a media studies degree in graduate school.