Sociology
As a sociologist, you'll investigate society from a grounded and critical perspective.
Do you want to change the world? First you have to understand it
You'll study everything from crime to religion, developing a unique understanding of what motivates human behavior. Our Students are encouraged to study abroad and apply your substantial training to the real world. The culture at Simmons is focused on community service and activism, giving you ample opportunities to connect and grow within our community.
Our faculty encourages diverse learning styles, offering many options for personalized courses of study and independent learning. You'll benefit from a well rounded liberal arts education with classes in specialties like women's and gender studies, Africana studies and international relations.
With their technical and intellectual experience, our students find successful careers in community organizing, law, public policy, teaching, higher education and social work.
Our Faculty
Dawna Thomas
Professor and Chair of the Department of Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Valerie Leiter
Professor and Chair of the Public Health Department and Director of the Bachelor's Program in Public Health
Becky Thompson
Professor
Saher Selod
Associate Professor
Elise Brenner
Adjunct Faculty
Foster Kamanga
Assistant Teaching Professor
Spotlight on Sociology Students and Alums
A Multidisciplinary Education: Irish Immersion, State House Internship, and Reproductive Health Research
Sociology major Gracyn Delaune ’24 reflects on her time abroad, impactful internships and research opportunities, her favorite professors and what it is like to attend school in Boston.
Capitol Police Assistant Director Julie Farnam ’00 Publishes Insider Account of January 6 Attack
Julie Farnam ’00 was Assistant Director of the Intelligence and Interagency Coordination Division of the United States Capitol Police when a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump attacked the Capitol Building on January 6, 2021. Farnam has since written a book about the experience and resultant backlash.
Children’s Literature Editor Karen Boss ’95 ’13 Champions Diverse Authors in Successful Career Change
Karen Boss ’95 ’13MA earned a double Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Sociology and returned to Simmons twenty years later for her Master’s in Children’s Literature. She is a senior editor at Charlesbridge, where she works on fiction and nonfiction picture books, and middle-grade and young adult works.
Michele Forzley ’73 Combines Law and Public Health
Michele Forzley '73 shares how she combined her law degree and expertise in international business to the field of public health.
Adunni Slackman Anderson '73 on the Influence of Strong Leaders
Dr. Adunni Slackman Anderson '73 has spent her career as a leader in education. For over 20 years, she served as Principal for the Montclair Public Schools, and for 10 years as the Lower School Head/Primary School Director for Kent Place School, a private, independent school for girls. We spoke to Slackman Anderson about how Simmons shaped her career, and her advice for future leaders.
Simmons Alum Researches Equity in Healthcare for Women
Tozoe Marton ’18 has done research with the Women's Global Health Imperative Group at Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International as a public health analyst where she worked on women's global health, focusing on women and HIV.
Teaching Social Workers to Work with the Marginalized with Associate Professor Eugenia Knight ’97
Eugenia Knight ’97 is Associate professor of practice and director of practicum education for Master of Social Work. In March 2022, Knight was named the 2022-23 Center for Faculty Excellence Faculty Fellow for Teaching and Learning. For her year-long appointment...
Meet Your Orientation Leaders: Emily Marder '23, Katelyn Fox '25, Kiki Regan '23, Sophie Bredensteiner '23, and Tess Federico-Maietta '23
Emily Marder '23 is a Nursing major from Lynnfield, Massachusetts. Emily explains why she became an Orientation Leader: "I had fond memories of my orientation and liked how the Orientation Leaders were able to foster a community feeling and connect...