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:
Gary Bailey
Professor of Practice and Assistant Dean for Community Engagement and Social Justice
[email protected]
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.
Promote your event
Submit your Simmons-affiliated event related to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to be included in the Simmons event listings.
Recent News
Navigating the North Star: Assistant Professor Tatiana M.F. Cruz Receives Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Award
The American Council on Education Women’s Network Massachusetts has recognized Tatiana M.F. Cruz, Assistant Professor and Interdisciplinary Program Director of Africana Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies, and her collaborator Dr. Kamille Gentles-Peart (Roger Williams University) for co-founding and directing the North Star Collective, a group of colleges and universities in New England that are committed to faculty racial equity.
Debora Edouard ’24 and Kadijah McClean ’24 Open Simmons Chapter of the National Society of Black Women in Medicine
Established in 2017, the National Society of Black Women in Medicine is committed to increasing the recruitment and retention of Black women pursuing careers in the medical field. This academic year, Neurobiology major Debora Edouard ’24 and Biochemistry and Public Health minor Kadijah McClean ’24 co-founded the Simmons chapter of the Society.
“I felt welcome at Simmons”: Celebrating Trans Visibility Day with Dane Groves ’04, ’09, ’20MS
In celebration of International Transgender Day of Visibility, we interviewed Dane Groves ’04, ’09, ’20MS about his roles as student, staff, and faculty, and his experience undergoing a gender transition while working at Simmons.
Simmons Alum Kelly O’Connell Champions Women and Nonbinary Entrepreneurs
Since joining the Simmons University Alumnae/i Association Executive Board (AAEB), Kelly O’Connell ’99 has helped launch the Simmons Tuesday Tea Podcast, and co-hosted the Byond Balance event last November. On April 2, AAEB is hosting a special Simmons campus screening of “Show Her The Money,” a documentary that delves into the gender gap in venture capital funding with a focus on empowering women entrepreneurs.
Protecting the Freedom to Read: Anna Kelly ’23MS Reflects on the Importance of Indigenous Perspectives in Literature
“As an Indigenous woman, it is hard for me to not take personally the challenging and banning of books by Indigenous authors and about the Indigenous experience,” says Anna Kelly ’23MS an enrolled member of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe.
Dr. Ena Williams Champions Workplace Diversity in Dotson Bridge and Mentoring Program Lectureship Event
On February 29, the Dotson Bridge and Mentoring Program, directed by Associate Professor of Practice LaDonna Christian, hosted a Lectureship Event with Dr. Ena Williams. Her lecture, entitled, “Experiences of Racial and Ethnic Minority Nurses: Our Role in Advancing Workforce Diversity,” identified workplace biases and underscored the need for mentorship, racial equity, and organizational change.
Celebrating Black History Month in an Anniversary Year
This Black History Month also happens to be Simmons University’s 125th anniversary year. President Wooten reflects upon the many women associated with Simmons – past and present – who have not only influenced our immediate community, but whose work and contributions had and continue to have far-reaching impacts for our world.
Student Researcher Sunei Clarke ’24 Reflects on Simmons Black Oral History Project
Public Health major and Chemistry minor Sunei Clarke ’24 participated in the Simmons Black Oral History Project, conducting interviews with alumnae/i to document and memorialize the experiences of Black students at Simmons through the generations. Clarke spoke with us about the process of creating oral histories and the value of Africana Studies for all majors.
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 Identity Support
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.