Department of Politics and Policy
Do you want to change the world? If that sounds ambitious, good. Our students and alumnae are leaders on campus, in their communities and out in the world. So if you're passionate about tackling issues — big and small — and transforming society you've come to the right place.
Studying Politics and Policy at Simmons University
The field of political science is divided into four subfields: American politics, comparative politics, international politics, and political theory. Collectively, courses in these areas introduce students 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. The field of political science is also concerned with questions of how governments should be constituted and how politics should be carried out.
The interdisciplinary minor in international relations seeks to understand the political, economic, social, and cultural relations among states as well as the transnational roles of non-state actors. Such an understanding is critical in today's world and can support a variety of career options.
The study of politics and policy has traditionally provided a solid foundation for careers in government (national, state, and local), diplomacy, law, and business, as well as in teaching and journalism. Recent Simmons alumna currently work in the Massachusetts State House, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the American Cancer Society, CENTRA Technology, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United Nations, Dewey Square political consultancy, the Washington Institute for Near Eastern Affairs, Physicians for Social Responsibility, as well as the United States armed forces. In the past few years, alumna have been accepted at leading law schools, including, BU, BC, George Mason, Notre Dame, George Washington, Suffolk, and University of Southern Maine. Simmons students have also attended the leading Master's programs in International Relations, including the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and Columbia University's School of Public and International Affairs (SIPA). Other programs grads have gone on to attend include Columbia University's School of Journalism and other graduate programs such as Simmons SLIS, the University of Belfast, and the University of Texas at Austin.
Learn More About The Department of Politics and Policy
Politics and Public Policy Faculty and Staff
Chair
Lena Zuckerwise
Associate Professor and Department Chair
Full-time Faculty
Abel Djassi Amado
Associate Professor
Jeffrey DeLaurentis
Joan M. Warburg Professor of International Relations
Gregory Williams
Associate Professor and Program Director, Master of Public Policy
Adjunct and Part-time Faculty
Kristina Pechulis
Adjunct Faculty
Politics and Policy in the News
Simmons Welcomes Warburg Chair Jeffrey DeLaurentis, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
This year, Simmons welcome Jeffrey DeLaurentis to campus as the Warburg Chair in International Relations. In this role, DeLaurentis will be sharing his experience with the UN and Security Counsel with Simmons students.
Associate Professor Lena Zuckerwise Reflects on Changes to LGBTQIA+ Rights
"Over the past decade, there has been an all-out war on trans folks," observes Lena Zuckerwise, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations. "Most recently, trans children are the newer targets on the part of the [political] right." Zuckerwise...
Undergraduate Recipients of 2023 Senior Scholar Award
Six seniors across the University have been selected as recipients of the 2023 Senior Scholar Award, in recognition of outstanding scholarship and contribution to a field of study.
Associate Professor of Practice Guides Students on the Path to Law School
Associate Professor of Practice Kristina Pechulis is Director of the Barbara Lee Family Foundation Intern Fellowship program at Simmons University, which places undergraduate women in internships with female legislators at the State House. Professor Pechulis teaches courses in Massachusetts politics...
Passionate Leaders Project: Fall 2021 Cohort
The Passionate Leaders Project supports undergraduate students seeking to enrich their academic and professional interests by funding learning opportunities beyond the boundaries of the traditional classroom. Learn what the Fall 2021 Cohort is up to!
Simmons Faculty Recognized for Innovative Teaching During the Pandemic
Simmons University received a $10,000 Presidential Grant through the Davis Education Foundation to fund a Post-Pandemic Innovative Teaching Award.
Successful Adaptations: Simmons World Challenge and Working Globally
The Simmons World Challenge is about learning from an international perspective — but how do you learn internationally with the COVID-19 travel restrictions? Professor Kristina Pechulis and Samantha Margolin '23 tell us how students still learned global lessons.
Passionate Leaders Project: Spring 2021 Cohort
The Passionate Leaders Project supports undergraduate students seeking to enrich their academic and professional interests by funding learning opportunities beyond the boundaries of the traditional classroom. Learn what the Spring 2021 cohort is up to!