On October 26, Simmons celebrated Founder's Day. For this event, Simmons undergraduates are invited to participate in an essay contest. Contestants wrote about how their experience at Simmons realizes John Simmons' vision for educating what President Lynn Perry Wooten calls "everyday leaders" for their life's work. This year's winner, sociology major Jamie Lee, read their essay before the Simmons community. Lee's text is below.
Before arriving in America, I knew that the American dream was largely a myth. But 16-year-old Jamie never would have thought the systemic barriers that came with studying abroad would almost literally kill me.
One student population group that often gets left out of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) conversation is international students. I know this could be surprising to hear…. Marginalized? How? The narratives written about international students are that we are rich, snobby, unfriendly to outsiders, and financially privileged. This is the only story of us circulated through popular media and perpetuated by word of mouth. Contrary to popular belief, being an international student while holding other intersectional identities has been my biggest struggle. This is why it is so important to me to advocate for voices like my own.
I arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 2018 [to attend another university] with two suitcases and a lot of courage and hope. Less than a semester later, I found myself close to being a college dropout. Cultural and social assimilation proved to be more than the boldly determined social butterfly I tried to be. Still, I tried my hardest every day despite the constant anti-Asian and anti-immigrant bias around me. I was often praised for 'speaking good English' despite growing up speaking the language at home, and I was treated as a second-class citizen in almost any situation I found myself in. Desperate to build a network of support for myself, I became close friends with a group of white American college students. They would often ridicule and ostracize me by asking me questions such as: "Can you pronounce 'blood?' How about 'salon?'. At the time, I was unfamiliar with microaggressions, let alone aware of the existence of the academic term to describe this phenomenon.
My mental and physical health declined with the social isolation, and I was forced to take a medical leave of absence. During this time, I developed a severe GI issue that inhibited me from walking at times, but doctors in the Boston area told me that it was 'just heartburn and indigestion.' Even though my intuition told me something was wrong, I did not listen to myself; I knew Boston's healthcare system was one of the most advanced in the world, and I thought the doctors must be right. In 2020, my health complications became so severe that an emergency surgery had to be performed when I was back in Malaysia. Experiencing xenophobia, medical gaslighting and racism were some of the most defining moments of my time here.
Simmons University gave me a second chance. More than a second chance, Simmons has given me a quality college experience as a Queer, low-income, first-generation Southeast Asian student. I first heard of Simmons University from alumni that highly emphasized the excellent educational experience she received there. Now, the first thing someone claims when I inform them that I attend Simmons University is "Oh, the women's centered college? Is it true that there are no men there? You must be SO lucky!" I often chuckle and say 'yeah something like that' but as a student that holds Simmons in high regards, I always feel the need to prove to someone that Simmons is more than just another 'Women's college. Since transferring to Simmons, I have always had an array of readily available resources whether from a professional staff or professor to seek guidance from. From the REEF support center to the CARE team to the exceptional Head of the Department of Sociology, Professor Selod that inspired me to major in Sociology, I have had such a supportive transition into this college. To experience a college that cares about its students' emotional, physical, and psychological needs and listens to our feedback is rare. To have a structured bureaucratic institution take action and implement proposed solutions almost immediately is rare. Simmons University continues to prove me wrong, in the best way possible. It is the ultimate honor and privilege to be here.
Higher education institutions are quick to announce their quantitative data on the diversity of the incoming class, especially the array of countries represented that year. However, the support structure offered by higher education institutions is often inadequate. Simmons University differs in this sense. I have been extremely lucky to access the food resource bank and SOS funds when my basic needs couldn't be met. I have come across incredible professors who advised me on navigating racism within a classroom. The validation and support from the largely Queer Simmons population who are social justice oriented and committed to anti-racism have made a world of a difference. During my year and a half here, I have had the privilege to partake in multiple roles as an orientation leader, wellness ambassador, Social Science tutor, bridge mentor for the BIPOC community, campus card officer, and even work for Holmes sports center! These leadership positions have helped me build connections with different departments within the college, advocate for social justice and change, and commit to lifelong learning. I was also a part of the student advisory board for the Office of Student Affairs and to witness change being implemented within the month and even the same day was revolutionary. President Lynn Perry Wooten says it best, "When Simmons leads, the world works better."
From feeling as if I was just another cog in the machine to being empowered to determine my livelihood, Simmons university has provided me not only the occupational tools to succeed in life but the interpersonal skills when dealing with people from all walks of life which we can find at Simmons. I truly cannot wait to engage in academic research in the field of Sociology, specifically on the increasing surveillance of marginalized populations and solutions to combat systemic racism, misogyny, homophobia, and xenophobia. As a class member of 2023, I can confidently walk across the stage in May knowing that Simmons University has equipped me with everything I need to succeed and provided me with a family of curious and determined students to grow beside!