Following a comprehensive search process, Simmons has selected Dr. Astrid Sheil to serve as the new Dean of the School of Management.
As Dean, Dr. Sheil will play a pivotal role in leadership and relaunch of our School of Management – a vital part of Simmons’ forward-looking academic structure. Dr. Sheil has a passion for women’s-centered undergraduate and graduate business education, and a strong vision for how Simmons can leverage its rich history, leadership, and expertise in this area.
For the past five years, Dr. Sheil has served as Dean of Shenandoah University’s School of Business, where she led all aspects related to that school’s operations, strategic planning, communications, fundraising, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. She also guided Shenandoah University’s business faculty through a dynamic re-envisioning of the institution’s undergraduate and graduate curricula – considering everything from purpose and mission, to content, assessment, and delivery modes – to create a student-centric, future-focused business school skilled in offering pathways to 21st century careers.
Dr. Sheil also has extensive private sector experience. She previously served as president of Sheil & Associates, providing strategic communication, public relations, and project management services to a variety of government, academic, and private sector clients. In addition, she worked in various roles for Kemira Oyj and Resolute Forest Products.
“As an SOM alum, Trustee, and member of the SOM Business Advisory Council, I am thrilled that Dr. Sheil is joining Team Simmons,” says Board of Trustee member April Evans ‘91MBA. “In addition to all of the other skills, talents, and ideas she brings to Simmons, she is very excited to get to know our alums and work to reconnect and energize our alumnae/i network. As part of this process, one of her first stops will be a meeting with Co-founding Dean Anne Jardim.”
A collaborative leader and a creative thinker, Dr. Sheil has expertise in a variety of key areas – including fundraising and philanthropy and the development of creative enrollment strategies that include non-traditional and first-gen students, partnerships with local community colleges, and speed-to-complete programs, among others. She brings a unique perspective to Simmons and is deeply committed to diversity, equity, social justice, and inclusion.
“I am thrilled to join the Simmons community and to have the opportunity to work together to reinvent the School of Management for this new era,” says Dr. Sheil. “During this period of rapid change, students must be able to think dynamically across domains and boundaries. Simmons’ School of Management occupies a unique role, and we will be working to leverage its many strengths to develop creative, future-focused programs that allow students to grow and thrive as leaders in their careers.”
We want to thank Interim Director Erin DeCurtis, along with our search committee members, for their time, commitment, and feedback throughout this process. This includes Chair Diane Grossman, along with members April Evans, Kim Fulton Marchand, Ray Pfeiffer, Rich Gurney, Ed Vieira, Spela Trefalt, Zinnia Mukherjee, and Khari Linton. We would also like to thank Dr. Anne Jardim, Co-founding Dean of the Simmons School of Management, for her leadership, expertise, and thoughtful input as we relaunch this School.
The relaunch of the Simmons School of Management and advancing its unique role as a women’s-centered leader in undergraduate and graduate business education is a key outcome of the academic revisioning work done over the past year. We are very much looking forward to working with Dr. Sheil; please join us in welcoming her to our community.