Student Life

With a dynamic community of more than 4,000 students, Simmons University is always moving forward. Our commitment to the success of our students guides our vision and reflects our core values.

Students sitting in a common area in the Main College Building at Simmons University

At Simmons, you’ll work, discover, and evolve

Located in the heart of Boston, Simmons University is a private university that has established a model of higher education that only today are other colleges and universities beginning to adopt: the rigorous intellectual foundation of the liberal arts combined with education for leadership in high-demand professional fields.

To support our students in their success, we provide a state-of-the-art learning and living environment that integrates in-classroom learning with the social, emotional, and ethical development at the core of all higher education.

The result is a Simmons graduate prepared not only to work, but to lead in professional, civic, and personal life —a vision of empowerment that Simmons calls preparation for life’s work.

Student displaying leaves with messages of why they love Simmons

The Student Experience at Simmons

Discover an empowering undergraduate and graduate student experience at Simmons University.

Student Resources


Commitment to Inclusivity

We are committed to embracing students from all backgrounds and all forms of human uniqueness.

Community Engagement

Simmons Community Engagement facilitates and promotes community-based learning.

Spiritual Identity Support

We work to facilitate spiritual development and meet the spiritual needs of students.

Campus Safety

The Public Safety Department provides police and security services to the Simmons University community.

Campus Dining

There are full-service dining halls and cafes on both the residence and the academic campuses, and students can choose from several full-service meal plans, point meal plans, or a la carte cash options.

Career Development

The Career Education Center helps students and alumnae/i develop the skills they need to make informed decisions about their careers. 

Accessibility Services

We are dedicated to the full participation of all students in our programs and activities.

Writing Support

The Writing Center fosters academic excellence by providing resources that meet the needs of our students

Tutoring Center

The Tutoring Center assists students in becoming independent and successful learners.

Student Engagement, Success, and Diversity

The Division of Student Engagement, Success, and Diversity is dedicated to empowering students to engage in transformative and meaningful experiences that foster community, career readiness, self-efficacy, and a sense of purpose.

Health Center

The Health Center is staffed by registered nurses, nurse practitioners and physicians, and a registered dietitian.

Counseling Center

The Counseling Center staff is made up of licensed Clinical Social Workers, Psychologists, and Psychiatrists. 

Athletics

Home of the Sharks, Simmons participates in 9 NCAA Division III intercollegiate varsity sports.

Additional Resources

We support students through investment in services, academic support, mentorship, and our campus.

The Simmons academic campus

The Simmons Campus

As the University changes to meet the evolving needs of our students, we are ensuring that our physical space also meets those needs.

Our Campus

The city of Boston

Experience Boston

While attending Simmons, you'll have Boston as your backyard, with access to museums, internship opportunities, and more!

Experience Boston


In the Heart of Boston

An aerial photo of the Main College Building on the Simmons campus, with the city of Boston in the background

Boston: The Best College Town

Our location in Boston offers endless internship, research, and career opportunities. Simmons draws on many of the city’s cultural, historical, economic, scientific, and educational resources to offer an unparalleled student experience.

Experience Boston

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Clubs and Organizations

We have over 70 different on-campus clubs and organizations you can join to meet people with similar interests. Simmons is also a member of the Colleges of the Fenway (COF), a consortium of five neighboring schools where you can also join in.

Get involved

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Complete Internships, Clinical Placements, Independent Research, or Field Work

With Boston as our backyard, our on-campus students have easy access to learning opportunities in the city (and beyond!)

Students at Fenway Park

My Simmons

Already a student at Simmons University? Log onto our internal site and find resources designed just for you.

My Simmons

Campus & Community

Trustee Tiffany Dufu and Brooke Shields in a fireside chat, Simmons Leadership Conference 2025, Jill Person Photography.

SLC25 Celebrates Leaders’ Capacity for Change

The Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership recently hosted the 46th Annual Simmons Leadership Conference. The diverse array of panelists and guest speakers championed resilience, self-growth, and interpersonal connection.


SSHP Dean Paul Geisler, Professor Valerie Leiter; Associate Professor of Practice Edima Ottoho, Tozoe Marton '18, Ifill School Dean Ammina Kothari, Professor of Practice Carmen Harrison, and SON Dean Heather Shlosser, photograph by Ashley Purvis.

Scholars Emphasize that Women’s Health is Public Health

Shortly before the sixth annual Ifill Forum, an esteemed panel of Simmons scholars from diverse disciplines co-presented “Women’s Health is Public Health.” Dr. Ammina Kothari, Dean of The Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences, served as the event’s moderator.


Dr. Sharon Malone delivers her keynote for the 2025 Ifill Forum, photograph by Ashley Purvis

Dr. Sharon Malone Promotes ‘Grown Woman’s Talk’

The sixth annual Ifill Forum featured board-certified OB/GYN, menopause expert, bestselling author, and women’s health advocate Dr. Sharone Malone. In conversation with WBUR’s All Things Considered radio host Lisa Mullins ’80, ’05HD, Dr. Malone spoke about her close friendship with Gwen Ifill ’77, ’93HD and rallied women to advocate for better health.


The cover of the 125th Anniversary issue of the Simmons magazine

125 Years of Simmons: Founded for Equality, Built for Now

As Simmons University celebrates its 125th anniversary, culminating in a special 125th Reunion this June, the Simmons Magazine team reflected on our founding mission of empowering women through education to achieve independent livelihoods.


The Deans of the six schools at Simmons University: Astrid Sheil, Heather Shlosser, Paul Geisler, Michael LaSala, Ammina Kothari, and Sanda Erdelez

The Simmons Six: Meet the Deans

Meet the new deans of Simmons’ School of Library and Information Science; School of Sciences and Health Professions; Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences; School of Social Work; School of Management; and School of Nursing.


Professor Alden Poole in the 1961 issue of Microcosm, courtesy of Simmons University Archives.

Editor Extraordinaire Inspired Generations of Journalists

A World War II military veteran turned journalist, Professor Emeritus Alden W. Poole was a faculty member and later chair of Simmons’ Department of Communications from 1955 to 1986. He taught courses in journalism, article writing, and copyediting. Poole also supervised contributors of the student newspaper (then called Janus).


Miniature portrait of a young John Simmons, possibly worn by his wife, Ann (Small) Simmons, courtesy of Simmons University Archives.

John Simmons: A Businessman with a Pivotal Vision

In honor of the University’s 125th anniversary, we offer an in-depth chronicle of the life and legacy of founder John Simmons (1796–1870).


Assistant Professor Kat Lombard-Cook with Fall 2024 Studio 5 students

Studio 5: A Student-owned Curriculum

Studio 5 constitutes the senior Capstone project for communications and public relations/marketing communications majors at Simmons. We take a closer look at the hands-on, experiential learning model of Studio 5, Simmons’ student-run communications agency.