The Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities and Social Sciences
Honoring a legacy
The Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences fosters creativity and leadership skills through the multi-faceted lenses of arts, communication, film, literature, and research.
Gwen Ifill ’77, '93HD (1955–2016) is best known as a successful and much-admired television news anchor who dedicated nearly 40 years to journalism. She launched her career by writing for student publications and interning at newspapers while studying communications at Simmons.
The Ifill School honors her legacy by promoting civic engagement and celebrating different perspectives through humanistic inquiry.
Meet the Dean
“Whether you're interested in producing compelling communication, exploring the complexities of human history, or studying the forces that shape our social structures, we have a program for you.” — Dean Ammina Kothari
Discover Our Learning Spaces
From collaborative working spaces to the CommLab and Podcast Suites, the Gwen Ifill School is built for student engagement. Explore what's available to you as a Simmons student through our 3D virtual tours.
Take the Next Step
Our programs cover it all — from public relations and communications to web design, education, and literature. Hone your creativity and critical thinking skills through engaging coursework and projects that prepare you for career success.
Tap into Your Potential
At Simmons, we cultivate a diverse and talented generation of trailblazers who are poised to become leaders in their professions and in their communities.
Get Involved, Get Inspired
Participate in the Ifill Forum, our annual event honoring Gwen Ifill and her legacy as a ground-breaking journalist. Hear firsthand from distinguished experts discussing pressing, relevant topics that have a national impact.
Build your skills through projects that foster an informed and creative public. Productions include magazines, a student radio station and newspaper, and a communications studio.
Apply for an Ifill Scholarship, which helps develop the next generation of trailblazers. Scholarships support students from underrepresented groups who demonstrate exceptional promise in the classroom.
What Makes Us Different?
“Simmons helped me develop the essential skill of taking myself and my work as a writer seriously and prioritizing it. There were such incredible resources available to me, and I got to work with mentors who continue to influence my work and career.”
Mackenzi Lee ’14MFA
"There are people at Simmons who will recognize your potential, and you have the opportunity to be involved and integrated into the community in a way that you may not have at a larger university. My leadership was able to grow into something bigger at Simmons. It’s been a game changer.”
Bella Yee
“Don’t be afraid to explore things that are entirely new. Simmons and Boston have so much to offer.”
Julia Wilen
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Academic Departments
Communications
The Department of Communications blends integrative learning with a deep understanding of communications and media theory. You'll receive in-depth professional preparation for various fields in communications.
Humanities
The Department of Humanities is committed to connecting you with the enduring value of the humanities. You'll study human cultural expressions in art, history, languages, literatures, writing, and philosophy across the globe.
Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
The Department of Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies will provide you with a rigorous education in the interdisciplinary study of identity, power, and resistance.
Education
With a focus on evidence-based best practices, you'll launch a meaningful career and meet the needs of all the students in your classroom.
Politics and Policy
Our programs will introduce you to the study of the institutions of government, the processes of decision-making (domestic and international), the content of these decisions (public policy), and their impact on society.
Spotlight on Our Students and Alums
Gregory Maguire ’78MA Defying Gravity
Gregory Maguire '78MA, best-selling author of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, reflects on his time as one of the first graduates of the Master of Arts in Children’s Literature program at Simmons, now celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Lived Experience: An Engine of Advocacy
A motivated advocate for social justice, Rayna Hill ’22MA/MPP is creating an equitable future for LGBTQ+ youth in the state of Massachusetts.
Archivist Cherishes Communal Essence of Libraries
National Library Lovers’ Month is, according to the Boston Public Library, “a time to recognize the value of libraries and all the special things we love about them.” To celebrate National Library Lovers’ Month, we spoke with University Archivist Kelsey Kolbet ’21MS/MA about her love of archives and women’s history, and why she chose Simmons.
Feeding the Revolution Through Baking and Activism
Corrie Locke-Hardy '20MA combines her love of baking with social activism with her cookbook, The Revolution Will Be Well Fed.
Alumnae/i Receive Awards from American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) announced winners of the 2025 Youth Media Awards, including Breanna J. McDaniel ’14MA, Gabe Cole Novoa ’19MFA, Stephanie Seales ’09MA, and Sacha Lamb ’20MS/MA.
Internship Inspires Alumnae/i Career in Healthcare
Dianna Shaw ’92, who majored in psychology and sociology at Simmons, was interviewed by The Bay Magazine about her over 30-year career assisting older adults.
Celebrating the 2024-25 Passionate Leaders Scholars
Six Simmons undergraduate scholars from different disciplines have been selected to join the 2024-2025 Passionate Leaders Project cohort.
Students Discuss Archival Internship in The Pilot
Students Emily Greco and James Kaeser recently concluded fall semester internships at the Archdiocese of Boston Archives. They shared their reflections about this unique experience in a published interview with The Pilot.
The Gwen Ifill School at a Glance
30+
Undergraduate Programs of Study
The Gwen Ifill School offers a variety of majors and minors for you to choose from.
8+
Graduate Programs
Dive deeper into your chosen field with a master's degree from the Gwen Ifill School.
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Academic Departments
Within the Ifill School, you will find the Departments of Communications, Humanities, Race, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Education, and Politics and Policy.
The Gwen Ifill School in the News
Scholars Emphasize that Women’s Health is Public Health
Shortly before the sixth annual Ifill Forum, an esteemed panel of Simmons scholars from diverse disciplines co-presented “Women’s Health is Public Health.” Dr. Ammina Kothari, Dean of The Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences, served as the event’s moderator.
Dr. Sharon Malone Promotes ‘Grown Woman’s Talk’
The sixth annual Ifill Forum featured board-certified OB/GYN, menopause expert, bestselling author, and women’s health advocate Dr. Sharone Malone. In conversation with WBUR’s All Things Considered radio host Lisa Mullins ’80, ’05HD, Dr. Malone spoke about her close friendship with Gwen Ifill ’77, ’93HD and rallied women to advocate for better health.
The Simmons Six: Meet the Deans
Meet the new deans of Simmons’ School of Library and Information Science; School of Sciences and Health Professions; Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences; School of Social Work; School of Management; and School of Nursing.
Editor Extraordinaire Inspired Generations of Journalists
A World War II military veteran turned journalist, Professor Emeritus Alden W. Poole was a faculty member and later chair of Simmons’ Department of Communications from 1955 to 1986. He taught courses in journalism, article writing, and copyediting. Poole also supervised contributors of the student newspaper (then called Janus).
Recognizing Freedom of Information Day 2025
According to the American Library Association, Freedom of Information Day (March 16), “promotes the public’s right to know and access to information.” To honor Freedom of Information Day 2025, Simmons News has compiled stories of faculty and student research, University initiatives, and alumnae/i accomplishments published over the last calendar year that advance access, reliability, and inclusivity regarding public information.
Join the Discussion on Women’s Health at the 2025 Ifill Forum
On Thursday, March 13, 2025, the Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities and Social Sciences will host the Ifill Forum, our annual signature event in honor of Gwen Ifill '77, '93HD. This year’s event focuses on Women’s Health and will feature a panel discussion featuring Simmons faculty experts and a keynote speech featuring Dr. Sharon Malone, moderated by WBUR Anchor Lisa Mullins ’80 ’05HD.
Simmons Receives Mellon Grant for Information Literacy
With funding from the Mellon Foundation, Simmons will establish the Center for Information Literacy, which aims to promote informed decision-making and nurture civic participation.
Artist-Scholar Integrates Politics, Poetry, and Race
Assistant Professor of Humanities Patrick Sylvain is a literary scholar and poet whose intellectual curiosity knows no bounds. His work explores the issues of nationhood, leadership, race, and (de)colonization. In conjunction with Black History Month 2025, we spoke with him about Haitian politics, poetry, and zombies.
Contact Us
The Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities and Social Sciences
The Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities and Social Sciences cultivates trailblazers and leaders. Here, you'll study the modes of expression through which we record and interpret the human experience.