Commitment to Inclusivity

Simmons is committed to inclusive excellence in all aspects of an individual’s community experience. We strive to create and sustain an environment that is free from bias, prejudice, and discrimination to enable members to thrive in the Simmons community. We welcome, promote, and seek to empower multiple dimensions of diversity, and are actively working to dismantle systems, policies, and practices that serve as barriers to true inclusion at Simmons. We are One Simmons!

How Can I Get Involved?

President’s Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Learn more about joining a President’s Advisory Council (PAC) subcommittee by reaching out to:

Affinity Organizations

Join a Simmons student affinity organization. Learn more about The Collective, eleven student organizations advised by Simmons’ Multicultural Center.

Resources

At Simmons, we believe clear and open communication between students, faculty, and staff is an integral part of creating an inclusive and cohesive community. We encourage you to review the University's Tips for Email Accessibility.

Inclusion and Belonging Restoration Protocol

Community members who would like to engage in a restorative process around potential incidents of bias, microaggressions, or prejudice are welcome to engage in the processes available through the University's Inclusion and Belonging Restoration Protocol. 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Events

Celebration following convocation on the academic campus quad.

Promote your event

Submit your Simmons-affiliated event related to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to be included in the Simmons event listings.

Submit an event

Recent News

Sage Loyema Innerarity ’25MS

This fall, Sage Loyema Innerarity, a citizen of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians of California, began graduate studies at the Simmons School of Library and Information Science. Working in cooperation with Indigenous individuals, she builds and preserves tribal archives. Innerarity spoke with us about the importance of community, Native literature, and remembrance.

A collage of book covers by Native Americans

November is Native American Heritage Month, established by the United States government to celebrate Indigenous history and culture with relevant programs, ceremonies, and activities. Explore our recommendations for inspiring stories portrayed in Native novels, poetry, monographs, film, and television.

Louise Bernice Halfe, aka Sky Dancer

In honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day and National Poetry Day, Simmons’ Multicultural Center and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) welcomed the Simmons community to an in-person and virtual gathering on the evening of October 10 featuring Louise Bernice Halfe (Cree), also known as Sky Dancer, Canada’s ninth Parliamentary Poet Laureate.

The cupola of the Main College Building on the Simmons campus with a Pride flag in the foreground

Associate Professor Sarah Leonard, who teaches the Seminar in the History of Women and Gender: “Queer Histories,” sees Simmons as an inclusive community.

Commitment into Action

President's Advisory Council on DEI

Our charge is to demonstrate inclusive everyday leadership by increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion at Simmons through action, institutional change, education and development, inspiration, and measurement.

Accessibility Services

We are committed to the full participation of all students in our programs and activities and make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations so that students can be ensured equal access.

Multicultural Center

We strive to help students merge the narratives of who they are with their academic and professional commitments. Simmons is committed to building a living and learning environment in which each and every student can thrive intellectually, socially, and emotionally.

Organizational Culture, Inclusion & Equity

We recognize that a robust intellectual community for all requires moving beyond notions of representation and toward authentic engagement, thoughtful participation and inclusive membership.

Spiritual Life

We work to facilitate spiritual development and meet the spiritual needs of students. We coordinate activities to promote development and leadership skills in Simmons students, and we encourage their spiritual development.

Title IX

We recognize the inherent dignity and worth of each member of our community, which includes the right to live, learn and work in an environment free from sexual harassment.