Community Engagement and Social Justice
The Stephen D. London Center for Community Engagement and Social Justice facilitates and promotes community-based learning and develops strategic partnerships to advance learning, promote civic engagement, and enhance community leadership in order to create a more just society.
Learning that changes lives.
For more than 100 years, Simmons University has inspired its students to combine learning with action for a more just and equitable world. Today, The London Center for Community Engagement and Social Justice takes the lead in advancing this commitment to visionary education and civic engagement by building on our strengths as a women-centered college and our commitment to leadership development.
The office works closely with around 40 community-based organizations to provide opportunities for student-leadership and community benefit. Whether it's tackling social justice issues such as the education achievement gap, mentoring girls for advancement and success, or cleaning up the nearby Muddy River, we offer our entire campus a variety of ways to get involved through stimulating service-learning courses and exciting all-University signature initiatives.
Through reciprocal partnerships with community-based organizations, The London Center aims to:
- Broaden and deepen community-based learning at Simmons.
- Support faculty in their goals to expand community-based research.
- Cultivate a readiness for civic agency in our students.
- Promote women's leadership and girls advancement and success.
- Develop engaged and socially responsible leaders.
Join Us!
Current and Prospective Students
Check out one of our signature student leadership development programs: Bonner Community Leaders, Jumpstart, Alternative Spring Break, America Learns, and Strong Women Strong Girls. Each of these programs has opportunities for students in leadership positions to apply their federal work study award.
Not interested in one of these programs? Check out other ways to get involved or find other volunteer opportunities in the Boston Area.
Faculty
Check out our community-engaged teaching and research page for more information about connecting your teaching and research to community through experiential opportunities.
Community Partners
Interested in partnering with us? See our Community Partners page for more information! We are always open to ideas and proposals.
Alums and Staff
There are many ways to get involved for our entire community! Come to an Social Justice Art Show, help us clean up the Muddy River, or serve on a panel to share your experience and knowledge on Social Justice Issues. Have an idea - let us know!
Community Engagement by the Numbers
2024 Annual Report
Download the 2024 Stephen D. London Center for Community Engagement and Social Justice Annual Report to learn more about the work going on at the Center.
430
Total Students
During the 2022–2023 academic year, 430 undergraduate and graduate students were formally engaged in programs through the Stephen D. London Center for Community Engagement and Social Justice.
40
Partner Organizations
During the 2022-2023 academic year, Simmons students engaged with 40 organizations across the Greater Boston area through the London Center.
16,265
Hours Served
Our students served 16,265 hours of community service during the 2022–2023 academic year.
London Center in the News
Building a Family History at Simmons
Nearly a century ago, Anna T. Kenney attended Simmons College, majoring in Secretarial Studies. Now, Kenney’s great-granddaughter, Annie Doherty ’26, has followed in her great-grandmother's footsteps to Simmons.
Dr. James O’Connell on Caring for the Homeless in Boston
The London Center for Community Engagement and Social Justice hosted Dr. O'Connell, founder and president of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, to discuss caring for unhoused populations in Boston. His talk was titled “Continuity within Chaos: Caring for Individuals Living Chronically in Shelters and on the Streets.”
Simmons Recognized for Excellence in Student Voter Registration and Turnout
ALL IN Awards Day honored Simmons for excellence in nonpartisan student voter engagement and campus turnout in the 2022 Midterm Elections. Specifically, Simmons received the award for 2022 Boston Votes Highest Voting Rate: Four-Year Institution. Members of the Simmons community received in-person recognition at the Boston and Massachusetts Campus Voting Summit, held at Harvard University.
A Highlight on Homelessness with the London Center and Boston Health Care for the Homeless
The Stephen D. London Center for Community Engagement and Social Justice selected Boston Health Care for the Homeless (BHCHP) as the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Community Partner Award.
Discovering Purpose and Community through Art, Service, and Song
Arts Administration major Calla Savelson ’24 shares how she gained professional experience and build a community for herself during her time at Simmons.
Simmons Welcomes 2023 Bonner Community Leaders
The Bonner Community Leaders Program at Simmons University is a unique opportunity for students who want to combine a strong commitment to service with personal growth, teamwork, leadership development, and scholarship. This fall, Simmons announced a new cohort of 11 Bonner Leaders. We spoke with three of them.
Juneteenth and the Art of Envisioning the Future
On June 16, Gary Bailey, Professor of Practice and Assistant Dean for Community Engagement and Social Justice at Simmons University, moderated a Colleges of the Fenway panel discussion, “Juneteenth, Then and Now: A Conversation on Being the Change Through Arts and Activism."
Professor Gary Bailey: Why the Coronavirus has me "Triggered”
In honor of Pride Month, Professor Gary Bailey shares his thoughts on the comparison of the HIV/AIDS epidemic to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn how the lack of response to the HIV/AIDS crisis differed from the swift actions taken by U.S. government officials when faced with COVID-19.
Our Staff
Director
Meghan Doran
Director, Community Engagement and Social Justice
Staff
Courtney Kramer
Associate Director of the London Center and Bonner Program Director
Dara Starkman
Senior Site Manager
Center for Community Engagement and Social Justice
The Stephen D. London Center for Community Engagement and Social Justice facilitates and promotes community-based learning and develops strategic partnerships to advance learning, promote civic engagement, and enhance community leadership in order to create a more just society.