Leadership at Simmons
Take the Lead: Opportunities for Growth and Impact at Simmons
At Simmons University, leadership is not merely an abstract ideal but a tangible practice ingrained in student life and institutional culture. Effective leadership is “everyday leadership” — and it can come from anyone and from anywhere.
Teaching and learning are not only bound to textbooks; they can be hands-on and immediate, and Simmons encourages this. Through the Social Action Leaders course, we emerge with a more holistic perspective on leadership.
— Felipa Arevalo '25
Campus Leaders and Peer Mentors
Simmons University provides numerous opportunities for you to practice leadership. Whether it's leading a club (we have more than 70!), organizing community service events, or participating in student government, we encourage you to get involved and make your mark.
Betsy’s Friends
Betsy’s Friends is a peer education program designed to support students impacted by relationship and interpersonal violence. If you’re interested in helping students navigate these issues, the Violence Prevention, Education & Outreach team at the REEF Support Center will train you to become a Peer Supporter.
Orientation Leaders
Are you interested in helping new students have a positive experience adjusting to life at Simmons? As an Orientation Leader, you can assist with all aspects of First Bite Orientation, which provides new students with a formal introduction to the Simmons University community.
Peer Tutors
Do you enjoy helping others achieve their academic goals? With a recommendation from a faculty member, you can join the Tutoring Center, which is located in the Center for Student Success. In this leadership role, you'll assist students in becoming independent and successful learners.
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Simmons Academic Mentors
If you want to be a role model, consider becoming a Simmons Academic Mentor (SAM). Through this leadership opportunity, you'll provide peer academic support to first-year students throughout the summer leading up to and during their first year at Simmons.
Student Government Association
A great way to make a meaningful difference on campus is by getting involved in the Student Government Association (SGA), a democratic, student-led organization that works to promote the welfare and common needs of the student body. As a member of the SGA, you'll seek to establish justice and ensure equity for all members of the Simmons community.
Student Organization Leaders
With more than 70 different student-run clubs and organizations on campus, there is ample opportunity to connect with peers with similar interests, or even start your own club. Email [email protected] or visit Campus Connect to learn more.
Wellness Ambassadors
Become a Simmons Wellness Ambassador and join a dynamic group of students who are passionate about an inclusive and comprehensive approach to wellbeing for the Simmons community. As an ambassador, you'll lead activities (crafts, coloring, guided visualizations, breathing exercises, etc.) and offer peer support.
The empowering atmosphere [at Simmons], coupled with supportive mentors, equipped me to lead.
— Debora Edouard ’24
Research and Fellowships
Research is a cornerstone of the Simmons leadership experience. You are encouraged to engage in research projects that have the potential to effect change and broaden knowledge in a field. You'll work alongside dedicated faculty members and gain valuable experience in conducting research and presenting your findings.
Passionate Leaders Project: Independent Research & Creative Scholarship
The Passionate Leaders Project (PLP) offers you additional support to take your academic and professional interests to the next level. If you're looking to engage in an independent research project, creative endeavor, or unpaid internship, the PLP provides funding to help you achieve these goals.
Summer Undergraduate Research Program
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Simmons (SURPASs) provides a six-week paid, mentored summer research experience. The program is open to undergraduate students across all academic disciplines.
Barbara Lee Fellowship
If you are a junior or senior with an interest in politics, consider pursuing the Barbara Lee Fellowship. This opportunity gives you exposure to and education in the nuts and bolts of Massachusetts political leadership through practical experience in the arena of public policy and practice. Selected students receive a stipend and an internship placement with a woman state legislator.
Undergraduate Student Conference Fund
The Undergraduate Student Conference Fund offers up to $500 to help you attend an academic, research, or professional conference. Priority is given to students who plan to present their work.
Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Fund
The Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Fund offers you up to $500 in support of self-initiated independent research and creative scholarship projects.
Faculty-Student Collaborative Fellowship
Interested in serving as an undergraduate or graduate research fellow? The Faculty-Student Collaborative Fellowship at Simmons is a competitive small-grant program that enables faculty to hire research fellows for the duration of a semester or an academic year.
Senior Scholar Award
Sponsored by the Provost's Office and Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, the Senior Scholar Award is presented to six graduating seniors in recognition of outstanding scholarship and contribution to a field of study.
External Scholarships
The Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships will help you apply for national and internationally competitive fellowships, such as the Critical Language Scholarship, Fulbright U.S. Student Program, Gilman Scholarship, Goldwater Scholarship, Truman Scholarship, and more. The office supports both undergraduate and graduate students.
The biggest lesson I learned from being class president is that being a student leader is more than just holding a leadership role. Being a part of student government allowed me to connect with my peers and with so many different people from the Simmons community.
— Jenny Huynh '22
Social Justice, Community Engagement, and Inclusive Leadership
At Simmons University, you’ll discover the power of leadership in action. With a strong commitment to social justice and community engagement, we offer service-learning projects and internships tailored to your passions and career goals.
Jennifer Eckert Center for Leadership and Engagement
The Jennifer Eckert Center for Leadership and Engagement is your central hub for community service, citizenship, and leadership development throughout your undergraduate years at Simmons.
Dotson-Bridge and ALANA Nursing Mentorship
The Dotson Bridge and Mentoring Program is here to support you as an African American, Latina, Asian, and Native American (ALANA) student in the nursing programs at Simmons. You'll receive mentorship, leadership training, and career counseling.
Alternative Spring Break
Alternative Breaks offers the chance to take the lead in community engagement programs that promote student leadership, ethical volunteering, and social justice. These programs aim to equip you with the tools, resources, and experience to be an effective leader and ally within your local and global communities.
America Learns
America Learns is an in-school volunteer program that provides fundamental support to teachers and educators at the Orchard Gardens K-8 Pilot School in Roxbury.
Bonner Community Leaders
The Bonner Community Leaders Program provides you with a unique opportunity to combine a strong commitment to service with personal growth, teamwork, leadership development, and scholarship.
Jumpstart
Through Jumpstart, you can serve preschool classrooms in the surrounding Boston neighborhoods in teams to support children’s language, literacy, and social-emotional development.
Strong Women, Strong Girls
This program allows you to support students in developing effective leadership skills and forming a powerful community of peers and leaders that empower the next generation of women.
The Bridge Program
The Multicultural Center Summer Bridge Pilot is a free summer transition program, offering incoming undergraduate first-year students who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), an opportunity to participate, connect, learn, and grow with the Simmons community.
Institute for Inclusive Leadership
Continue developing your leadership potential beyond the undergraduate level. Our expert-facilitated programs provide tools, networks, and an understanding of how gender and other social identities shape leadership. Our skilled facilitators and coaches create engaging and transformational experiences that will help you arrive and thrive as a leader.
Learn about the Simmons Institute for Inclusive Leadership
Leadership in the News
