I am thrilled to share that Simmons University has been selected as one of only 25 U.S. colleges and universities – and the only women’s-centered institution – to receive the first Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose Classification.
This new classification, which recognizes institutions that have committed to campus-wide efforts to advance leadership in pursuit of public goods like justice, equity, and diversity, is awarded by the American Council on Education (ACE), the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University, and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Most exciting, this honor is a national recognition of the unique brand of leadership we have developed and advanced at Simmons – a group of everyday leaders committed to doing well and doing good.
“The institutions in this cohort serve as models in higher education, demonstrating excellence in nurturing leaders who are prepared to address and solve pressing public challenges, which is sorely needed in our society right now,” says ACE President Ted Mitchell.
This classification recognizes the many ways in which leadership is infused throughout our institution. Not only is leadership a core part of the Simmons DNA as evident in our founding 125 years ago, but it is woven throughout our academic curriculum, various leadership centers, faculty research and publications, and co-curricular programming, among others. This honor also highlights the many ways leadership is cultivated and advanced by our students, faculty, staff, and alums who are making our world a better place through their hard work in a diverse field of professions.
Our work to advance leadership at all levels across the institution will continue and include new opportunities to participate and engage. We have established a Simmons Steering Committee on Leadership to facilitate a holistic approach to leadership at a centralized level. In the coming weeks, we are pleased to have the opportunity to expand this group and ensure representation from across the institution.
I want to thank Institute for Inclusive Leadership CEO Susan MacKenty Brady for helping to facilitate this Carnegie opportunity, Interim Ifill College Dean Diane Grossman for her hard work in pulling this application together, along with the members of my senior leadership team and all the departments and programs who provided information and support for it.
Many of you have heard me talk about everyday leadership – the act of utilizing 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. This classification truly is a community-wide effort and a result of the ways leadership is infused in the work you do every day through your teaching, scholarship, learning, and service. Each of you has played an integral role in our earning this classification.
Please read the press release and more information about how you can share this exciting news with your networks. I am honored to be a part of this community and hope you feel as much pride about this accomplishment as I do. Congratulations, Team Simmons.