Fostering Institutional Strength for the Next 125 Years
Elevating the Power of Philanthropy
Simmons is ready to transform steady progress into bold momentum – activating a connected and expansive community that taps the full power of our network of professional leaders, changemakers, and supporters. With 63,000 undergraduate and graduate alumni worldwide, we have an unmatched foundation for engagement and growth. Now is the time to turn that reach into lasting impact – renewing bonds, fostering pride, and fueling future campaign energy.
Over the past year, we have rebuilt the essential infrastructure for connection – updating thousands of alumni records, strengthening digital engagement tools, and expanding our team’s capacity for personal outreach. These efforts are helping us identify and engage Simmons graduates who are leading in every field, from nursing and the health sciences to management, social work, and information science.
Our next step is to activate this network, cultivating relationships that translate into philanthropy, partnerships, and additional opportunities for students. We will prioritize fundraising for scholarships, financial aid, and academic innovation, while deepening loyalty among our long-time supporters and inviting new champions to join us. Donors and alumnae/i who give to Simmons support women’s advancement, expand access and opportunity for students, and invest in the services and professionals critical to their local communities – librarians standing against misinformation and unjust book bans, social workers serving on the frontlines of our nation’s mental health crisis, and nurses addressing our healthcare workforce shortage.
By elevating advancement, Simmons will grow its philanthropic base, strengthen lifelong bonds, and ensure that every member of our community – students, alumnae/i, partners, and friends – plays a part in shaping a bold and resilient future.
Highlights
Belonging: Students, faculty, staff, alumnae/i, and partners are connected through shared mission and lifelong networks.
Fundraising and Stewardship: Strategic engagement with undergrad and grad alumnae/i strengthens support for scholarships, career development, and academic innovation.
Data-Driven Engagement: Enhanced data collection and analytics will help Simmons better understand alumnae/i’s work and impact, strengthen engagement, and optimize fundraising strategies that advance Simmons’ mission.
Advancement and Campaign Planning: Build the foundation for a major campaign that supports our strategic roadmap and highlights the far-reaching impact of Simmons graduates on communities and the world.
“The opportunities our community builds together today fuel the world our students will lead tomorrow.”
— Maureen Flores, Vice President of Advancement
Aligning Resources to Achieve Financial Sustainability
Simmons is leading with intention, courage, and purpose during this period of rapid change in higher education. To fulfill our University’s promise, we must ensure that our people, finances, technology, and infrastructure are strategically aligned to our highest priorities. This means directing resources to areas that advance our University’s mission, strengthen academic excellence, and enhance the student experience. By aligning our budget, operations, and organizational capacity with our strategic goals, we will position the University for long-term financial sustainability while continuing to prioritize student success and a thriving community in this rapidly changing higher education landscape.
Highlights
Focus on Distinction and Mission Alignment: Direct resources to programs where Simmons has market strength, national leadership, alignment with our mission, or potential for growth – ensuring academic excellence, long-term impact, and greater return on investment for students.
Amplify Technology: Use innovative digital tools and systems to streamline academic and administrative operations, improve services, and support student success.
Leverage Shared Resources: Maximize resources and opportunities available through the Colleges of the Fenway and the City of Boston to strengthen collaborations, enhance the student experience, and improve long-term financial sustainability.
Address the Structural Deficit: Through thoughtful, data-informed decision-making, optimize operations and create a sustainable financial model that manages costs, maximizes resources, and enables ongoing innovation while supporting academic excellence.
“Simmons is charting its future with discipline and vision — aligning every resource to what matters most: our students and our mission. We’re ensuring Simmons not only adapts to change but leads it — sustainably, boldly, and with purpose.”
— Regina Pisa, Chair, Simmons University Board of Trustees