Undergraduate Advising
We partner with faculty advisors, academic departments and other Simmons support staff to encourage academic and personal development of all students.
Drop-In Hours
Have a quick academic related question? Want to speak with a professional advisor? The Office of Undergraduate Advising offers weekly hybrid drop-in advising to support undergraduate students taking on campus classes.
These brief 5-15 minute advising drop-ins appointments will be held in a hybrid format, and we encourage you to join us either on Zoom or in-person. If you stop by in person, please bring your laptop and make sure to join the virtual waiting room to indicate that you would like to meet with an advisor in-person!
When you are ready to meet with a professional advisor, please sign into the Starfish Waiting Room. The waiting room will only be active during designated drop-in times and will close about 5-10 minutes before the end of drop-in advising each day.
General Advising Drop-In Hours
- Wednesdays: 2:30 – 4 pm
- Thursdays: 10 – 11:30 am
Students should monitor their Simmons email once they join the virtual waiting room for an email from one of the professional advisors. You will either be invited to join a Zoom meeting room to begin your virtual session, or directed to an office within the Center for Student Success to meet with an advisor in-person.
Fall 2024 drop-in hours will be offered from September 9 — December 20.
Academic Planning and Support
Major Exploration
Exploring different majors and academic paths is part of the college experience and we are here to help. We offer resources to learn about different majors and how you can find the best fit for yourself.
Tools and Worksheets
Academic Planning Worksheets are a useful tool to review with your advisor(s). Our planning site has worksheets and other tools to help you in planning your pathway.
Academic Support Resources
Our resources site contains modules to aid you in developing skills in various academic areas such as time management, organization, study skills, and campus support resources. Recorded and pre-recorded advising workshops are also available.
Advising Milestones
Learn more about the steps your advisor can help you with throughout your time at Simmons.
Pre-Health Advising
Simmons offers Pre-Health coursework that provides strong preparation for admission to medical, dental, optometry, podiatry, veterinary, and physician assistant programs. As a Pre-Health student you may meet with the Pre-Health Advisor in addition to your PLAN or major advisor.
Pre-Law Advising
The Pre-Law program offers personalized advising, connections with Simmons alums, application and test prep resources, and impactful events to help you decide if law school is right for you and help you prepare a competitive application. Advising is available to both current students and alums.
Edge Advising
If you are accepted into an Edge program, you will have a professional advisor added to your support network. This advisor will specialize in graduate pathways related to your undergraduate program.
CompleteDegree Resources
Discover the variety of resources that are available to you as a CompleteDegree student.
Placement Exam Information
Learn more about math and language placement exams at Simmons.
Registration Tips
Follow our handy tip guide for a successful registration experience.
Support Roles
From first-year advisors to student mentors to pre-professional advisors we are here to support you throughout your time at Simmons. Learn more about the groups who are here to help you succeed.
Simmons Academic Mentors
Simmons Academic Mentors (or SAMs) are current Simmons students who assist first-year students with academic acclimation to Simmons University. They provide peer academic support to first-year students throughout the summer leading up to and during your first year at Simmons University.
Starfish: Advising Software
Starfish is a tool created to promote student success and retention through building community and improving communication between students, instructors, advisors and campus support offices.
Undergraduate Advising Staff
Director
Cindy Firestein
Director
Staff
Alysha Harn
Academic Advisor
Christine Henningson
Academic Advisor, Online Undergraduate Degree Completion Programs
Eli Ratner
Assistant Director of Advising, Pre-Law, & Barbara Lee Fellowship
David Restrick
Advising Operations Coordinator
First-Year Advisors
First-year students are assigned to a First-Year Advisor to assist them with the transition to college, major exploration, and staying on track with their academics during their first year at Simmons. First-Year Advisors are a mix of passionate faculty and professional advisors who are trained on PLAN general education requirements, aware of campus resources, and are well-versed on all majors, minors, and programs offered at Simmons. First-year students receive an email from their First-Year Advisor before
Current First-Year Advisors
Shreya Bhattacharyya
Associate Teaching Professor
Denise Carroll
Assistant Professor of Practice and Director of the Computer Science Complete Degree program
Erin DeCurtis
Associate Teaching Professor and Diane K. Trust Professor in Leadership Development and Associate Dean for Undergraduates and Faculty, SOM
Cindy Firestein
Director
Alysha Harn
Academic Advisor
Kat Lombard-Cook
Assistant Professor & the Design Track Director and the Integrated Media Track Director
Megan McCarty
Associate Professor
Eli Ratner
Assistant Director of Advising, Pre-Law, & Barbara Lee Fellowship
David Restrick
Advising Operations Coordinator
Niloufer Sohrabji
Professor and Program Director for Economics and Director of General Education
Lauren Trichtinger
Assistant Professor
Michael Welch
Assistant Teaching Professor and Director of the Health & Exercise Science Program
Jason White
Professor and Director of the 3+2 Engineering Program
Majors and Minors at Simmons University
There are many majors and minors to choose from at Simmons University.
Office of Undergraduate Advising
We partner with faculty advisors, academic departments and other Simmons support staff to encourage academic and personal development of all students.