Week of Leadership and Service
The Investiture Ceremony of President Lynn Perry Wooten is part of a Week of Leadership and Service at Simmons University happening from Sunday, April 10 through Wednesday, April 13. Please continue to check this page for more information about the Week of Leadership and Service activities and events.
Sunday, April 10
Day of Service
President Wooten often talks about Everyday Leadership: the act of leveraging individual strengths and passions to drive meaningful change. Everyday leaders embrace a life of learning and service, and they utilize their talents to make the world better. They leverage their individual strengths and passions to drive meaningful change. Each of us can exercise everyday leadership in service to others by asking: What purpose resonates with me? How can I best serve that purpose by applying my talents, passions, and strengths? Keep in mind that you do not have to plan something big. Your service can be granular; you can be alert to moments to make change every day.
As we kick off our Week of Leadership and Service, we invite the Simmons community to watch a lively panel discussion on The Life and Legacy of Harriet Tubman held on March 28 to commemorate Women’s History Month and Harriet's 200th birthday. The event also highlighted strong connections between the renowned freedom fighter’s life and legacy and Simmons’ own mission.
Our call to action:
- Engage in a Day of Service in a way that speaks to you as an everyday leader.
- Link yourself to Harriet Tubman’s legacy with #beliketubman.
- Join a letter-writing campaign for the inclusion of Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill.
Monday, April 11
The Investiture Ceremony of President Lynn Perry Wooten
We will celebrate the Investiture of Lynn Perry Wooten, the ninth President of Simmons University, on Monday, April 11 at 10:30 am. President Wooten’s Investiture ceremony will include an academic processional, keynote speeches, faculty presentations, and musical and poetry performances.
Tuesday, April 12
Celebrating Teaching and Scholarship
For more than a century, Simmons University has offered pioneering undergraduate and graduate programs that combine theory, practice, and real-world experience that challenge the way our students view the world, while preparing them for leadership outside the classroom. As part of President Wooten’s Investiture, Simmons University is hosting a virtual Teaching and Scholarship event on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. Throughout this event, we will celebrate the exceptional teaching and scholarship at Simmons.
Welcome
Provost Russell Pinizzotto
Panel presentation
Showcasing the 2021 recipients of the Excellence in Faculty Teaching, Research, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Awards
- Undergraduate Teaching: Rachel Gans-Boriskin, Communications
- Graduate Teaching: Daren Graves, Social Work
- Research: Rong Tang, Library and Information Science
- DEI: Gary Bailey, Social Work
Faculty panel discussion
Celebrating the Future of Leadership Pedagogy: Innovative Practices from Simmons Classrooms and Co-Curricular Activities
- Erin DeCurtis, PLAN Leadership Course Faculty Lead
- Traci Griffiths, Communications
- Christy Lusiak, CompleteDegree and Student Affairs
- Jyoti Puri, Sociology
- Spela Trefalt, Business
Voice of a student
Observations from Kathleen McDonald MA ’02, MSW ’23
Closing remarks
President Lynn Perry Wooten
Wednesday, April 13
The Simmons Leadership Conference
Gain inspiration at our 43rd annual, and now fully virtual, Simmons Leadership Conference. Together we’ll unpack this year’s theme of cultivating courage and connection to empower women to Arrive and Thrive™ in today’s business landscape.
This year’s lineup of inspiring women leaders will share their personal journeys, offer career-building advice, and lead thought-provoking discussions. We are thrilled to announce many world-class speakers will be joining this year’s event, including Simone Biles, Brené Brown, and Amanda Gorman.