Simmons University is pleased to announce that Dr. Stephanie Cosner Berzin has been selected to serve as Vice Provost. Dr. Cosner Berzin, an experienced higher education leader who previously served as the Inaugural Dean of the College of Social Sciences, Policy, and Practice at Simmons, brings substantial experience working with faculty and the administration. In addition, she is highly immersed in Simmons’ academic programs – including establishing and teaching in the highly successful Doctor of Social Work program.
“Dr. Cosner Berzin is a seasoned scholar, researcher, teacher and administrative leader, and we are thrilled that she is bringing this experience to the role of Vice Provost,” said Simmons Interim Provost Dr. Russell Pinizzotto. “As someone who has devoted much of her career to social innovation and social sector leadership, Dr. Cosner Berzin understands the strong commitment our institution has to equity and social justice. And her vision and strategic leadership will be tremendous assets as we continue to advance the diverse range of Simmons’ academic programs.”
As Vice Provost, Dr. Cosner Berzin is responsible for the strategic direction and implementation of the online programs at Simmons University. In this role, she manages external relationships, champions the vision for leadership education at the University, and provides academic direction for the Simmons Engagement Program. Dr. Cosner Berzin also works closely with the Provost and academic leadership to provide vision, strategy and leadership to support the full range of academic offerings at Simmons.
“I am honored to serve as Vice Provost and to have the opportunity to advance Simmons’ critical mission of empowering the next generation of leaders to excel in their personal, professional, and civic lives,” said Dr. Berzin. “Simmons graduates are making a difference in our communities every day through their work, leadership, and commitment to social justice. I look forward to continuing to work with our community and our partners to support Simmons’ academic offerings – including our growing, high-quality online programs.”
Simmons graduates are making a difference in our communities every day through their work, leadership, and commitment to social justice.
As a prolific scholar, Dr. Cosner Berzin has published more than 70 works and shared her research with local, national, and international audiences. Her book, Innovation From Within: Redefining How Nonprofits Solve Problems (Oxford, 2018), helps nonprofit organizations develop strategies for innovation. Dr. Cosner Berzin also co-leads the Grand Challenge for Social Work, Harnessing Technology for Social Good, designed to integrate technology into social work teaching, research, and practice.
Prior to her arrival at Simmons, Dr. Cosner Berzin served as Assistant Dean, Doctoral Program Director, Chair of the Social Innovation and Leadership Program, and Chair of Children, Youth and Families at the Boston College School of Social Work. As the Founder and Co-Director of the Boston College Center for Social Innovation, she worked to build the evidence-base for social innovation and promote the capacity of social sector agencies.
Dr. Cosner Berzin graduated cum laude from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, earned her MS from Columbia University, and a PhD from the School of Social Welfare at the University of California, Berkeley.