100 YEARS OF STEM EDUCATION:
The Simmons Way
SPRING 2016 SIMMONS.EDU/ALUMNI
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TRUSTEE & ALUMNAE/I VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP Chair
FROM THE PRESIDENT The facts about women and girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) can’t be any clearer, and the urgency can’t be overstated. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that while women make up 47% of the total American workforce, they comprise only 39% of chemists and material scientists, 28% of environmental scientists and geoscientists, 25% of computer and mathematical scientists, 16% of chemical engineers, and 12% of civil engineers. Meanwhile, STEM wages are 26% higher than non-STEM wages, and positions in STEM fields have a lower rate of unemployment. For those of us committed to women’s equality and opportunity in the workforce, the modest representation of women in STEM professions is alarming. Here at Simmons, we have long accepted the challenge of educating STEM scholars, a goal currently being put forth by national leaders like President Obama, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Massachusetts Congressman Joe Kennedy. We have done it the Simmons way — with dedicated, talented faculty who engage young women in scientific discovery as soon as they set foot on campus, and then nurture and support them throughout their academic journey at Simmons. The STEM feature article on pages 10–16 contains some of our STEM history and highlights significant accomplishments that are happening today at Simmons. In the second feature article on pages 22–26, you will read about the Simmons
approach to online learning: combining the latest technology with a deep understanding of how distance learners learn best. Informed by innovative pedagogy, best practices, and cutting-edge technology, our professors develop meaningful relationships with distance learners just as they do with on-the-ground students so all of our students benefit from the distinctive Simmons experience wherever they are in the world. The spring 2016 Simmons Magazine presents stories that show why we are uniquely Simmons: a collection of talented, prideful, engaged, intelligent individuals who are making a profound impact on the world. In this edition we highlight some extraordinary alums including an alumna who is serving as a mentor and inspiration to young girls in inner-city Camden, New Jersey; a worldclass photographer, who travels the globe to capture spectacular images that bring places and events to life; a selfless volunteer who donated her kidney to a colleague; and alumnae who are celebrating past achievements while simultaneously raising their voices to promote civil rights and equality here at Simmons and around the world. As always, there is much going on here at Simmons. Please enjoy this magazine as a snapshot of who we are and what we do.
Regina M. Pisa Vice Chair Karen Hammond Clerk of the Board of Trustees Jill Greenthal ’78 Trustees Denise Benson ’12 Lauren J. Brisky ’73 Deborah Brittain ’74SW Jane Buyers ’81 Barbara Latz Cohen ’68 Denise M. Coll ’95SM Dwight B. Crane Helen G. Drinan ’75LS, ’78SM Jennifer L. Eckert ’08SW Elizabeth Fender ’84 James D. Flynn P ’12, P ’14 Yvonne R. Jackson Enna E. Jimenez ’91 ’06EE Leslie L. Lake ’86 Stephen P. McCandless Jacqueline C. Morby ’78SM Denise Doherty Pappas ’71, ’85SM Faith M. Richardson ’84 Katie I. Schuller-Bleakie ’94SM Toby M. Sloane ’60 Winston Tabb ’72LS Pamela J. Toulopoulos ’73 Roslyn M. Watson ’71 Amy E. White ’81 Alumnae/i Volunteer Leadership Alumnae Association Executive Board President Enna E. Jimenez ’91, ’06EE School of Library and Information Science Alumni Association President Frances Harrell ’13LS School of Management Alumnae/i Association President Kim Riedel ’09SM School of Social Work Alumni Association President Katrina Huff Larmond ’00SW African American Alumnae/i Association President Chanelle Peters ’04
Helen G. Drinan ’75LS, ’78SM President
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Joseph Kennedy, and Simmons President Helen Drinan share a laugh during a visit to Simmons on November 16, 2015.
Vice President of Advancement Marianne Lord Vice President of Marketing Cheryl Howard ’71 Editor Jeremy Solomon Assistant Editor Chanel Carrasquilla Writer Jeremy Solomon Contributing Writers Robert Dunn Alix Hackett ’14SM Alan Wickstrom Design Opus Design
CONTENTS
Printing The Fenway Group Photography Mike Broglio Mark Flannery John Gillooly StatNews/The Boston Globe Diane Hammer Carla Osberg Photography John Waite Photography Bob Thompson Andrew Wertheimer Anastasia Wolf Kalman Zabarsky The Simmons College Marketing Department publishes the Simmons Magazine regularly throughout the year. Third-class postage is paid in Boston, MA. Diverse views presented in the Simmons Magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or the College. (ISSN) 0049-0512.
IN EVERY ISSUE
IN THIS ISSUE 10 Cover Story: STEM
Education the Simmons Way
22 Feature: Simmons Online 27 Daly Field Update
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News & Events
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Alumnae/i Achievements
17 Advancing Simmons 21 Faculty Achievements 29 Shark Bites: News from Athletics
For more information, call 617-521-2324 or visit www.simmons.edu.
CLASS NOTES ONLINE For questions, comments, or to submit article ideas, contact: Jeremy Solomon, Director of Communications jeremy.solomon@simmons.edu
Share news about your professional accomplishments, marriage announcements, children, vacations, and other news using the Class Notes feature on simmons.edu/alumni. Our online Class Notes form makes it easy for you to share your news and keep in touch with your classmates and Simmons in a timely way. We look forward to hearing from you!
NEWS & EVENTS
President Helen Drinan and Provost Katie Conboy receive 10 demands from students during a peaceful demonstration on November 17, 2015. Photo by Kaitlin Maloney ’19.
Social Justice
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION Recent events and activities around the nation have spurred campus-wide discussions about diversity and inclusion on America’s college campuses. At Simmons, the day after a community meeting on the subject was held, nearly two hundred students staged a peaceful protest on November 17 at which they presented President Helen Drinan and Provost and Senior Vice President Katie Conboy with a list of 10 demands. For each demand, President Drinan assigned a senior college official to lead a team of students, faculty, and staff to assess and determine action steps. Collaborative work on these issues has continued
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throughout the year, including multiple of nine or more. To celebrate, President community meetings and weekly updates. Drinan hosted some of the most powerful “We are united as a college community in women in the state for a Victory Party on our vision for a welcoming, inclusive envi- January 25. ronment for all,” said President Drinan. “We have already made much progress, and “As a state, this is what we stand for, this is by continuing a thoughtful, collaborative how it should be,” said Karen Spilka, the approach, I am certain we will continue Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways & down the path to become the Simmons we Means. “This is a good first step, but we need all want to be.” to keep the pressure on. It is beyond time.” RESOLUTION S1007 BRINGS MASSACHUSETTS CLOSER TO GENDER EQUITY Massachusetts became the second state in America to pass S1007, a resolution calling for at least three women on every board
Also in attendance was House Speaker Pro Tempore Patricia Haddad, who said, “In the future, I know my granddaughters won’t have to think about it. They will know ‘I can be on that board. I can be the CEO.’ It’s going to be the norm.”
From Left: Representative Alice Peisch [D-Wellesley]; Speaker Pro Tempore Patricia Haddad [D-Somerset]; President Drinan; Senate Committee on Ways & Means Chairwoman Karen Spilka [D-Ashland]; Representative Sarah Peake [D-Provincetown].
Simmons has been a driving force behind 2020 Women on Boards, which is leading the national fight to pass S1007, hosting its national headquarters and its annual conversation event for years. President Drinan and School of Manage-
“I am grateful to everyone on our campus who is working to fulfill the mission of our College’s founder, John Simmons, who envisioned an institution that would provide women with the skills and opportunity for an independent living,” said President ment Dean Cathy Minehan ’99HD are Drinan in a community-wide message. “I members of their Board of Leaders, and am certain he would join me in thanking three Simmons staff members, Elisa van our hard-working legislators for passing Dam, Patricia Deyton, and Nancy Leeser, such an important resolution on behalf of co-chair their Boston Steering Committee. all working women in Massachusetts.”
SIMMONS CELEBRATES WOMEN LEADING CHANGE AT 2016 WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
More than 3,300 leaders attended the 37th annual Simmons Leadership Conference at the Seaport Boston Hotel & World Trade Center on March 29. All proceeds from the conference support scholarships for students in graduate programs at Simmons.
Carla Harris, Vice Chair of Global Wealth Management & Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley, delights the crowd with her energy and her poignant pearls of wisdom.
Golden Globe, Emmy, and SAG Award-winning actress, producer, and activist America Ferrera enjoys a moment with Simmons College President Helen Drinan.
Academy Award winner and United Nations Special Envoy for Women & Girls in the field of technology Geena Davis, Simmons College President Helen Drinan, and Professor of Social Policy, Law & Women’s Studies at Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy & Management Anita Hill.
Audience members enjoy the world’s premier women’s leadership conference, a day of uplifting, educational and practical workshops and lectures.
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NEWS & EVENTS
From left: Women of the Dream founder & CEO Leslie Morris ’75, volunteer Alberta Lampkins, participants Alexis Brown, Tatyanna Tatum, Brianna Calef, Simmons President Helen Drinan, and participant Maggie Battle.
"I teach these young ladies that where you start out in life doesn't have to be your destiny." LESLIE MORRIS ’75, Executive Director and Founder of Women of the Dream
Alumnae Spotlight
LESLIE MORRIS ’75 LEADS WOMEN OF THE DREAM On January 21, Simmons hosted the Colleges of the Fenway’s 18th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast, welcoming Leslie Morris ’75 back to campus. With Morris that morning were four seventh and eighth graders who had never been this far from their Camden, New Jersey home. The students spoke to the crowd about the lessons they’ve learned through Morris’s Women of the Dream organization, a non-profit that provides programs and resources to help meet the needs and challenges of socially and economically disadvantaged girls, preparing them for personal, career, and economic success.
While Tamara expected Lynne to spread the word on her social media channels, Lynne had a much more helpful plan in mind.
LYNNE MARINO ’81 GIVES A LIFE-SAVING GIFT
On November 2, 2015, Lynne had the surgery to donate her kidney to Tamara.
It had been 15 years since Lynne Marino ’81 had seen Tamara, a former employee of hers at AT&T, when she got the email. The note was an update on several AT&Ters, and one line caught Lynne’s eye, “…and Tamara is on a kidney donor list!” Lynne reached out to Tamara to see if she could help, and as it turned out, she could.
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Photos courtesy of Lynne Marino.
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day, 12 people die while waiting for a kidney. Donors can easily live a full life with one kidney and it only takes about six months for that one kidney to take over 95% of full kidney function.
“I clearly know I’ve made a difference in Tamara’s life,” Lynne says. “Hopefully she can pay it forward with an act of kindness to somebody else in the future. I know she’s incredibly grateful, and I’m very proud that I could do it. I want to shout it to the world that there are ways to help — it’s not as scary More than 101,000 Americans need a kidney as it seems!” and only 17,000 find a donor each year. Every
“Part of it is, I think I’m just a really lucky person,” says Lynne. “I felt I was healthy enough to do it, and I had a window in my life of not being a caregiver for my kids or my parents. The time was right.”
"The incredible opportunity to deploy to disasters with FEMA has allowed me to see America at her most tragic moments, while witnessing the incredible determination of her people." JOCELYN AUGUSTINO '89
JOCELYN AUGUSTINO ’89 PHOTOGRAPHS THE WORLD Jocelyn Augustino ’89 is a freelance photographer in Washington, D.C. Some of her work is stored in the National Archives, and her photographs have appeared in publications worldwide including Time, The Guardian, USA Today, Newsweek, The New York Times Magazine, and Rolling Stone.
“For me, taking photographs is like reading a book, but I get to hear the story live and ask the questions.”
For more of Jocelyn’s work, please visit www.jocelynaugustino.com
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NEWS & EVENTS
On Campus
ALUMNAE/I REFLECTIONS As part of the “Redesigning Simmons” project, many alumnae/i have weighed in with reflections on their own Simmons experiences and ideas about what they think would be best for the future — or not. Here is a selection of their comments:
SIMMONS HAS DESIGNS ON THE FUTURE Simmons College has always remained true to the vision of its founder, John Simmons, of preparing students for independent lives. Doing so has required the College to periodically re-examine its academic structure and to change organizationally over the last 100-plus years. Provost and Senior Vice President Katie Conboy says the “Redesigning Simmons” project now underway continues that tradition of “responding to the needs of students and the marketplace while staying true to the College’s core mission.” She co-leads the project with Donna Ng, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration. “The goal is to make Simmons’s learning environment truly distinctive and competitive in the higher education marketplace of more than 4,700 U.S. colleges and universities,” says Provost Conboy. “We’ve taken a
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collaborative approach, soliciting a wealth of insights and feedback from alumnae/i, staff, faculty, current students, and other College stakeholders.” Outreach to the community this spring included meetings, webinars, letters, and emails, including one from Provost Conboy to alumnae/i that framed the project this way: “The fundamental question is whether there may be better ways to align our academic programs and to invest in opportunities for future strengths while being efficient, economical, and maintaining our identity as a women-centric college that is also a complex, urban university.” Provost Conboy says the redesign team will share a new academic structure with the community this fall. “We expect that in FY’18, we will implement a model that will position Simmons College for distinctiveness, competitive strength, and sustainability.”
“My niece was just accepted as an undergraduate and was attracted to Simmons because it is a women’s college. I think promoting and valuing that is very important.” “The School of Social Work should be retained as its own ‘brand’ with the name preserved. Don’t mess with success!” “The reputation of the Simmons School of Library and Information Science has continued to be of value to me.” “Having graduate students in undergraduate classes elevated the quality of the class. The undergraduates expected more of themselves.” “Some of my graduate nursing classmates weren’t happy having undergraduates in our classes.” “Maybe Simmons could offer certificate programs to help attract people.” “I came into the nursing program as a graduate student. I probably wouldn’t have looked at Simmons if it hadn’t had a strong undergraduate program.” “I hope we will continue to value liberal arts programs as we also value professional programs.”
Simmons Board of Trustees Chair Regina Pisa, Honorary Trustee Atsuko Fish, and President Drinan at the cherry tree dedication ceremony last May.
BSO CELEBRATES 50
President Park in response to a perceived lack of recognition of the needs of black students by the College administration and faculty.
The five-decade legacy of activism and heightened cultural awareness of the Black Students Organization (BSO) resounds as strongly as ever on the Simmons campus today. “In addition to presenting meaningful events and engaging activities over the years that Current BSO leaders build on the founda- affirm the mosaic of the Simmons culture, tion established by those of the past, raising the BSO has been something of a voice of key issues of diversity and inclusion, and consciousness for the institution as well,” basing their own 10 demands on those pre- says Cheryl Howard ’71, who delivered sented by the BSO to Simmons President the 50th anniversary celebration keynote William Park 47 years ago. address. “The impact of five decades of contributions to Simmons made by the “It’s like we’re coming full circle,” says BSO BSO cannot be overstated.” President Morgan Ward ’16. “The passion and energy of our BSO sisters from the past In addition to Howard’s remarks, the celestrengthens our voices as we endeavor to bration was highlighted by a presentation advance some of the issues they also fought from Chanelle Peters ’04, the President of for on this same campus.” the African American Alumnae Association, who gave a banner to the BSO membership Established in 1966 as the Simmons Civil in recognition of the 50th anniversary. Rights Club, the group became the Black Students Organization a year later. The CHERRY TREES IN BLOOM BSO was founded on two basic principles that have stood the test of time: to maintain This spring marks the second opportunity ties to the surrounding community and to for visitors to the Simmons main campus promote and protect the interests of black to enjoy the newly planted cherry trees, students at Simmons. located next to the labyrinth. As one of her last acts of service to Simmons, Honorary Among the notable achievements of the Trustee Atsuko Fish and her husband, Larry BSO was the development of a Black Studies Fish, donated five Somei Yoshino Japanese Seminar, which later became a credit-bear- cherry trees. Fish left the Board in May 2015 ing class and ultimately paved the way for following 10 years of service. the Africana Studies major of today. In addition, in May 1969, BSO President Paula “Cherry trees, along with the labyrinth, are so Sneed ’69, who is now an Honorary Trustee rich in symbolism,” says Marianne Lord, Vice of the College, presented 10 demands to President of Advancement. “The labyrinth
encourages us to find our center, the donor plaque reminds us to have faith in the future, and the trees encourage us to look always to spring and to celebrate our growth.” SIMMONS PROFESSOR MAKES WHITE HOUSE PRESENTATION Teresa Nelson, Director of the Entrepreneurship Program and Professor in the School of Management, appeared at the White House on March 7. She served on a panel with Julie Weeks, President and CEO of Womenable as part of the National Women’s Business Council quarterly meeting. Professor Nelson is a member of the Council. The discussion covered new research efforts to understand patterns of women's entrepreneurship at various levels of demographics using U.S. Census micro-data.
Teresa Nelson, right, Director of the Entrepreneurship Program at Simmons and member, National Women’s Business Council, speaks at the White House at the quarterly public meeting of the National Women’s Business Council.
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NEWS & EVENTS
Jill Peterson ’14 (left) and Cynthia Ingols enjoy the new hydration station in the Beatley Library.
"Jill and her team had a compelling vision and they did excellent research. They made a lasting impression." CYNTHIA INGOLS, Professor of Practice, School of Management
Health & Wellness
HYDRATION STATIONS INSTALLED ON CAMPUS
SIMMONS NURSING PROGRAM EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Jill Peterson ’14 wanted to make a change at Simmons. In addition, as a Business Management major, her capstone course “Leadership and Organizational Change” required it.
January 2016 was a big month for the Simmons online nursing program. For the first time, the program was recognized by U.S.News & World Report as one of the best online graduate nursing programs in the nation, one of only two schools in Massachusetts to earn the designation. The U.S.News ranking came after College Factual placed the program third in the nation, ahead of the University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins University. College Factual rankings combine 10 different factors, including the average salary of graduates within five years of earning their degree, accreditation, and the quality of the overall college.
For their final projects, students in the course formed teams and identified something they’d like to see changed in an organization. Jill and her teammates, Katrice Krumplys ’14 and Mshael Alessa ’15, chose to upgrade the water fountains at Simmons. Cynthia Ingols, Professor of Practice in the School of Management, has taught at Simmons for 19 years and says, “Jill and her team had a compelling vision and they did excellent research. They made a lasting impression — facilities remembered their presentation and funded the project a year-and-a-half later.” In addition to helping the environment, Peterson hopes the new hydration stations will get the entire campus to hydrate regularly. Also, she hopes it will save the College money. “Hopefully the College will pay less to bottled water suppliers, which helps everyone in the community,” she says. “Maybe it will enable us to upgrade a computer or get a new book in the library.”
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“We are extremely proud that our online nursing program — which matches the rigor and excellence of our distinguished on-campus program — has received national recognition,” says Judy A. Beal, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. “As we continue to respond to the nation’s shortage in nurses and nurse practitioners, it is vital to prepare nursing professionals with comprehensive knowledge and robust clinical care experiences to meet the growing needs of the national healthcare system.”
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1. Irene Herold ’12LS university librarian at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, will become president of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) in July for a one-year term. She was elected vice-president/president-elect in 2015. The ACRL represents more than 11,000 members and is dedicated to “advancing learning and transforming scholarship.” 2. Kassandra Jolley ’95 is now vice president for advancement at Mount Holyoke College, where she provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight of advancement programs, including the design and implementation of all fundraising efforts. Jolley was previously vice president for advancement at Spelman College and Roger Williams College, and assistant vice president for advancement at Simmons.
3. Susan K. Nutter ’68LS vice provost and director of libraries at North Carolina State University, was named the 2016 Academic/Research Librarian of the Year by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). Prior to joining NC State in 1987, Nutter held several positions at the MIT Libraries. 4. Gwen Ifill ’77, ’93HD moderator and managing editor of Washington Week in Review as well as co-anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour, won the 2016 William Allen White Foundation National Citation for outstanding journalistic service. Past winners have included Walter Cronkite, Cokie Roberts, and Bob Woodward. Honorees are chosen by the foundation and the University of Kansas’ William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
5. Elaine Dimopoulos ’08GS says on her website that she wrote Material Girls (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2015) to “hold up a mirror to our teen and tween-obsessed society and to the scrutinized lives of young celebrities.” Booklist calls it “A book that should make kids think about many things, especially how the culture tries to manipulate them.” Dimopoulos is a graduate of the children’s literature program at Simmons and a former faculty member. 6. Glenna Collett ’74GS coauthored Book Design Made Simple (12 Pines Press, 2015) with Fiona Raven. The authors tapped a combined 60 years of experience to produce a comprehensive how-to book that gives do-it-yourself authors, small presses, and graphic-design novices and experts alike the power to design their own books.
7. Marika McCoola ’12GS saw her debut graphic novel, Baba Yaga’s Assistant (Candlewick, 2015), spend several weeks among the top 10 on the New York Times best-seller list for its category, and win a New England Book Award. It’s the story of a lonely teen mentored by an icon of Russian folklore. Kirkus Reviews called it “a well-nuanced delight, satisfyingly blending fairy tale, legend, and thrills.” McCoola graduated with a master’s degree in children’s literature.
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FEATURE
STEM EDUCATION: The Simmons Way #SimmonsSTEM
"When women succeed, America succeeds." DEMOCRATIC LEADER NANCY PELOSI
Here at Simmons, we have been engaging young women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields for more than 100 years, providing the academic and professional training they need to fulfill the vision of our founder, John Simmons, to educate students in the “industry best calculated to enable its scholars to acquire an independent livelihood.” When Simmons Female College opened its doors in 1902, among the initial five schools of the College was The School of General Science, of which Simmons President
Henry Lefavour said, “In time, I venture to think, it would prove an important part of the College.” First-year courses included math, physics, and chemistry. Students were preparing to teach biology, chemistry, or physics; to serve as research assistants; or to pursue medical degrees. Today the College builds on its historic legacy, evolving programs and pedagogy to keep pace with the fast-moving STEM fields of modern times, while fortifying the mission John Simmons envisioned for its students more than a century ago.
Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy discuss STEM education with Hodan Musse ’18, as Michelle Jung ‘17 and Professor Jennifer Rocklein-Canfield look on during their visit to campus on November 16, 2015.
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“One of the things that I really strongly believe in is that we need to have more girls interested in math, science, and engineering. We’ve got half the population that is significantly under-represented in those fields and that means that we’ve got a whole bunch of talent…not being encouraged the way they need to.” PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, FEBRUARY 2013
that will enable countries that do not currently have the ability to keep sophisticated medical records.” FACT: Recent statistics show women now earn only 10-12% of the computer science degrees in America, down from more than 37% of them in 1984. Source: syllabus.com
2. Student Empowerment Simmons By devising innovative ways to keep female “Simmons students want to have social faculty tell students when they enroll in a students engaged in STEM academics, relevancy,” agrees Professor Nanette Veil- science-based class that they are now sciSimmons faculty and staff are addressing leux, Director of Computer Sciences and entists, regardless of their past experience, the call of President Obama and that of Informatics. This year, Professor Veilleux and then faculty help provide them with founder John Simmons nearly 150 years started the new and very popular “Human- the skills and training they need to succeed. ago. How does Simmons do it? It’s a five- itarian Free and Open Source Software” pronged approach. course. “Some of our students are creating This key concept is realized in two ways: a microfinance app to be used in Africa,” close relationships between faculty and 1. Nurturing the “Simmons Effect” she says. “Others are creating software students and strong mentoring. “There is something about the culture here — I call it the ‘Simmons Effect,’” says Professor of Chemistry and Physics Rich Gurney. “It is a sense of community, a belongWOMEN IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, & MATH (STEM) CAREERS. ing that leads to students’ success in STEM at Simmons.” For sure, part of it is the students themselves. They come to Simmons looking to make a difference. “More students are choosing chemistry, biology, and physics majors after they arrive on campus because they see this work as a path to make a positive net impact on the world,” says Professor Gurney.
7% 23% 26%
$85,570
in 1970
In 2014, the average wages of STEM occupations was $85,570 — a full $38,340 (45%) higher than the average of all other occupations
in 1990
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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Simmons College founder John C. Simmons dies. In his will, he bequeaths $1.185 million to establish Simmons Female College.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts incorporates the College.
Simmons Female College opens with a class of 146 students.
First Commencement Exercises held, conferring 32 Bachelor of Science degrees, and more than 100 certificates.
Louise A. Gilbin graduates with a bachelor’s degree in science. Ten years later, she becomes one of two chemists to successfully create an alternative to breast milk credited with nourishing millions of infants around the world.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF STEM AT SIMMONS
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In 2011, women made up 26% of the science workforce — while representing 50% of all American workers
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FEATURE
“At other schools, even at small colleges, “We purposefully provide the platform when students have questions they go to for students to teach other students, be another student, or a study group, or they role models, and give back to the science INDUSTRY PARTNER: NOVARTIS Google it,” says Professor Veilleux. “Here, community on campus,” says Professor our students will go to faculty office hours Roecklein-Canfield. Later, these students As Vice President for Global Discovery or shoot their professor an email. We are will “then have ways to pay it forward when Chemistry at the Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) at Novartis, Karin Briner significantly closer to our students than is they become more experienced.” is always on the lookout for talented the case at most other places. It’s unique scientists. She had known about Simmons here, and it’s broadly across STEM.” “I really didn’t know what I was capable of science programs for years — “The until I came here and had a student mentor,” teaching excellence there is obvious,” “I definitely agree,” says Caitlin Horgan ’16, says Horgan, who intends to pursue a Ph.D. she says — and decided to reach out. a chemistry major. “Even in high school, I in organic chemistry. “The programs are so didn’t have teachers who looked out for me difficult from an academic perspective, it That initial outreach spawned a strong, the way they do here at Simmons.” is really helpful to have someone who has mutually beneficial program between already gone through it to help with the Novartis and Simmons that began in 2014. Scientists from Novartis regularly Mentoring helps students blossom as sci- trials and tribulations.” visit campus, presenting students with entists and as leaders both in and out of real-world case studies about such the labs and classrooms. “The concept of 3. Early and Frequent Research mentoring is embedded in everything we Accessibility The Simmons STEM cur- challenges as how to discover new do,” says Jenna Roecklein-Canfield, Pro- riculum is research-integrated starting in drugs. Moreover, the scientists interact with students, offering professional and fessor and Chair of Chemistry and Physics. the first year. Students work on research academic advice to help them advance projects they devise themselves or are syntheir careers. First-year STEM students “build their ergistic with work being done by faculty science toolkit,” she says, by learning starting on day one. “I’ve been so impressed with how capable research skills and lab techniques from Simmons students are in the lab, and Simmons juniors and seniors early in their Caitlyn Normand ’15, now a Bioanalytical with how faculty work together,” says college careers. Chemist for Eurofins Lancaster Labs, recalls Briner. “I only see this Novartis-Simmons being a prospective student interested in partnership strengthening.” Sophomores might participate in Science biochemistry. “They said we would get early Club for Girls, mentoring high school and hands-on research experience. I didn’t really middle school girls in STEM. Upperclass- know what that meant, but it sounded good. men often become Teaching Assistants in After getting here I realized the early access the labs or Learning Assistants in the class- to labs showed me what research is all about rooms. Even post-doctoral students come right away and was so unique to Simmons to campus to learn teaching and pedagogy compared to other schools.” from Simmons faculty.
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At the close of World War I, a national trend of more science-related college students is reflected at Simmons. Enrollment in the School of General Science more than doubles, and a new major of hospital laboratory technicians emerges.
Dorothy Celeste Boulding Ferebee graduates. She goes on to become the second African American female M.D. in American history, and is awarded the first Simmons Alumnae Achievement Award in 1959 for “her notable life and career in medicine dedicated to the highest advancement and welfare of mankind.” Today, the Dorothy Ferebee Scholarship is awarded annually to several outstanding students of African American, Latina, or Native American descent.
School of General Science changes its name to the School of Science.
Department of Chemistry enrolls its first graduate student, who pursues a Master in Analytical Chemistry.
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INDUSTRY COLLABORATION: THE WOMEN IN STEM ROUNDTABLE On November 16, Simmons hosted a roundtable discussion on the role of women in STEM fields with Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy as well as more than 20 leaders in STEM across non-profit, educational, government, and industrial sectors. As part of their visit, Leader Pelosi and Congressman Kennedy were led on a tour of a first-year chemistry lab by Kimberlee Hixon ’17, Caitlin Horgan ’16, and Michelle Jung ’17, who also joined the roundtable. “The goal of the roundtable was to bring together a group of people that were motivated to support women in STEM, and to have a discussion about the successes and needs of each participant when trying to keep more women and girls in the “When women of all backSTEM pipeline,” said Renée T. White, Dean of grounds have access to the the College of Arts and Sciences. Dean White has been given a special charge to shepherd undergraduate research and to provide oversight of STEM education at Simmons, roles she takes very seriously.
research tools they need, and the opportunity to share their work, everybody benefits.” DEAN RENÉE T. WHITE
through multiple lenses like biotechnology and chemistry. When they become professionals, they have many tools to draw on as a result. Professor Gurney has seen the results. “I often get emails or letters from employers who tell me Simmons graduates only need two weeks of training to get acclimated in professional laboratory settings while other recent graduates need three months,” he says. The “Simmons Effect” is further manifested on campus by the Simmons community that inspires girls to consider STEM fields long before they reach college age. Working alongside partner organizations, many Simmons faculty, staff, and students engage with STEM educators who are working with some of the region’s youngest learners.
“I know firsthand the difference mentors can 4. Knowledgeable Faculty and Inno- “We’re always trying to do innovative things make in a young girl’s life,” said Michaela vative Teaching Styles Students learn in our (computer science) curriculum that Lynott ’16 in her welcoming remarks to research techniques and technologies that rely more on student initiative,” says Pro- volunteer trainers of the Science Club for are cutting-edge and directly applicable to fessor Veilleux. “I’ll give them a sudden Girls (SCFG) program. “The work you are the job market. Closely following and adher- presentation, where they have to Google doing here matters.” ing to the latest pedagogy trends, STEM something and present a three-slide Powerprofessors “use flipped classrooms, guided Point within 15 minutes. We’re also relying Co-founded in 1994 by Mary McGowan inquiry learning classrooms tackling real- on more out-of-classroom experiences like ’75LS, SCFG connects girls K-12 with world problems, case study learning, and hack-a-thons, research experiences, and women mentor-scientists from the Boston more to get students hands-on and inter- independent projects.” area in a fun, nurturing, and interactive acting with lessons rather than listening to environment. In addition to hosting mentor a dry lecture, because that’s how science is 5. Interdisciplinary and Cross-disci- trainings, this summer Simmons will host done,” says Professor Roecklein-Canfield. plinary Coursework Students learn mul- school-aged girls on campus for a six-week tiple disciplines, so they approach problems educational day program.
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Biology Department adds General Physiology and Biochemistry courses, intending to better balance theory and laboratory skills in the curriculum. The additions bring the number of courses offered in the department to 22.
Simmons hosts the first Summer Institutes for High School Teachers of Chemistry on campus from June 29 – August 7. Using an NSF grant of $24,440, Simmons selects 28 of 600 applicants to participate. Says one: “I think I am better prepared to convey some of my excitement about what I know to (my students), and hopefully that makes a difference in their motivation.”
Chairs of the Science Department conclude a months-long study of the future role of science at Simmons by saying: “In view of Simmons’s clearly stated institutional objective to prepare undergraduates for careers, its location in the midst of a major scientific center, the national need for scientists, and the widely recognized waste of the resources of female talent, especially in the sciences, the College must improve and strengthen its commitment to prepare women for scientific careers.” The report leads to the beginning of the process of constructing a new science building on campus.
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SIMMONS PARTNERS AND PROGRAMS FOR BURGEONING YOUNG SCIENTISTS »» SciGirls – Simmons provides training to elementary and middle school STEM educators on how to engage young students in handson learning. »» Moms as Mentors® – Simmons hosts moms and K-3 daughters for science-based, interactive projects. »» National Girls Collaborative Project – Simmons hosted the “Girls Get Connected” conference, with a mission “to engage middle school girls residing in Boston in hands-on technology workshops led by female professionals.” »» James P. Timilty Middle School in Boston – volunteers in Simmons’s Scott/Ross Center help Timilty students develop and execute science projects at the school.
Second grade teachers Becky Granatini and Melissa Elliott of Colchester, Conn. participate in a buoyancy experiment as part of the SciGirls training at Simmons.
Simmons faculty members are always on the lookout for new teaching opportunities in STEM. In 2014, Associate Professor of Biology and Co-Director of the Simmons Undergraduate Program in Public Health Elizabeth Scott and some colleagues at the Harvard Medical School (HMS) Office of Postdoctoral Fellows conducted a survey that revealed how little training in teaching post-doctoral students were getting. That led to the start of a three-part Certificate in STEM Teaching in Higher Education, now being jointly offered by Simmons and HMS. In addition to helping fill the leaky pipeline, Professor Scott reports, “one very happy outcome from last summer’s institute was
that we were able to hire four postdoctoral students to work as Simmons adjunct lab instructors, enabling our faculty to mentor them informally.”
WHAT IS THE “LEAKY PIPELINE?” The leaky pipeline refers to women who begin studying STEM fields, but either never pursue or drop out of STEM related careers. In academia for example, women receive 50% of doctoral degrees in biology and chemistry but represent only 13 – 25% of faculty positions in American colleges and universities.
Left: Moms as Mentors participants work on a science project at Simmons in November, 2015.
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Professor Teresa Carterette brings the first computer to campus, to aid her research in psychology.
The modern, four-story Park Science Center opens, consolidating all science programs within one state-ofthe-art facility.
Simmons installs its own administrative, multi-user computing system.
The Alumnae Sky Club funds the first Microcomputer Lab and Classroom in the Beatley Library.
Chemistry Department introduces remoteaccess computing and creates the “Computer Appreciation Workshop,” which introduces many Simmons community members to the world of computers.
Chemistry Department partners with Massachusetts College of Pharmacy to offer a Joint Chemistry-Pharmacy Degree.
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Also unique at Simmons is how involved alumnae/i are. Even after a student graduates from Simmons, they remain a key part of the Simmons STEM community. “Our students are fortunate to receive a lot of very significant mentoring from alumni who are really very loyal to us,” says Professor Veilleux. The importance of STEM education at Simmons is connected to our founder’s
vision for this institution,” says Provost Katie Conboy. “John Simmons wanted us to provide our students with professional skills that adapt to the careers of the time. When you consider the opportunities in science and technology industries, I’m convinced Mr. Simmons would nod his head at our STEM programming and smile, knowing his vision and legacy are secure.” After all, that is the Simmons Effect. ▪
HOW IS STEM TAUGHT AT SIMMONS?
Early and Often Research Accessibility: Simmons’s curriculum is research-integrated starting freshman year. Students work on research projects they devise themselves or are synergistic with work being done by faculty starting on day one. Empower Students: Regardless of past academic experience, students are told when they enroll in a science-based class that they are scientists, and faculty will help provide them with the skills and training they need to succeed. Knowledgeable Faculty and Innovative Teaching Styles: Students are learning research techniques and technologies that are cutting-edge and applicable to the job market immediately following graduation. Simmons STEM professors closely follow and adhere to the latest pedagogy trends. Interdisciplinary and Cross-Disciplinary: Students learn more than one discipline at Simmons, so they can approach complex problems through multiple lenses. When they become professionals, they have many tools to draw on as a result.
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STEM VS STEAM The STEM movement is gathering steam! Much is made about the role of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects as drivers of local and regional economic development and as a pathway to good jobs and sustainable careers. But leaders around the nation are asking, “What about the A?” The A stands for art and design, critical components of STEM-related innovation: “The tools and methods of design offer new models for creative problem-solving and interdisciplinary partnership, introducing innovative practices of design thinking into STEM education and research.” (stemtosteam. org) Locally, the STEAM movement is now being reviewed by the STEM and the Arts Subcommittee of the Massachusetts Governor’s STEM Advisory Council.
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Physics professor Edward Prenowitz performs experiments that lead to the launch of a high-speed computer network connecting the Main College Building, Park Science Center, and Beatley Library.
Chemistry Department reports an increase in the percentage of freshmen taking first-year chemistry courses from 18% in 1986 to 42% in 1991.
Simmons’s global reach continues, as Chemistry Professor Changqing Chen arranges for four Simmons students to do research over the summer with Chinese chemists at the Department of Polymer Science & Engineering at Peking University in Beijing, China.
Simmons now offering 23 undergraduate programs in STEM fields, and seven graduate programs.
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ADVANCING SIMMONS
“SIMMONS IS THE SCHOOL OF MY DREAMS” STEM scholarships are helping Simmons students pursue their ambitious academic and career goals. They are excited — and beyond grateful for the alumnae/i and friends whose generosity is fueling bright futures.
Caitlin Sullivan ’17
Maxine Girard '19
Sarah Ijaz '18
“I’m passionate about learning about the “Simmons is the school of my dreams. I “Technology is an exciting field to be in, and brain and applying that knowledge to help chose it because of the 3+1 program, which with the constant change and development people cope with problems in their lives. I allows me to earn a bachelor’s in computer of the industry, I feel capable of innovation hope to go on to graduate school to get a science and a master’s in library and infor- that can benefit many different sectors of Ph.D. in clinical psychology, and then further mation science in four years. I’ve wanted to society. I’m extremely satisfied with the specialize to become a neuropsychologist.” become a librarian since I was very young.” path I’ve chosen.” CAITLIN SULLIVAN ’17
MAXINE GIRARD ’19
SARAH IJAZ ’18
Major: Neuroscience and Behavior
Major: Computer Science
Major: Computer Science
Josephine Morello Butz ’57 Endowed Scholarship
The Simmons Opportunity Scholarship
Haberman Scholar
“After four years of nursing and earning a “Inspired by my mathematics and statis- “I’m looking forward to a career in medicine bachelor’s of nursing degree, I hope that I tics professors here at Simmons, I have because it will allow me to help others and may become a pediatric nurse practitioner gained a passion for teaching and plan to challenge me to continue learning throughbecause I have a strong passion for working teach at the university level. I also plan to out my life. Someday I’d love to do missionwith children.” conduct research relating to health-science ary work abroad as a doctor.” data analysis.” JOHANNA YU ’19
JACQUELYN WOLFF ’19
Major: Nursing
KAI LEI ’17
Major: Biochemistry
Haberman Scholar
Majors: Mathematics and Biostatistics
The Simmons Opportunity Scholarship
Haberman Scholar
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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA OPENS DOORS FOR ASPIRING SCIENTISTS Inspired by a beloved high school biology teacher, Jose- “I never forgot how the intensive curriculum and nurphine Morello Butz ’57, ’07HD enrolled as an under- turing faculty pushed me far beyond my expectations graduate at Simmons to pursue biology as a career. In for myself,” she says. “That’s why Simmons is at the her first microbiology course, Butz began her lifelong top of my list for donations.” love affair with microscopic organisms. To ensure that her support will have a lasting impact, Butz established an endowed scholarship in her name With the guidance and mentorship of a professor at Simmons, Butz completed her master’s and Ph.D. to benefit students studying biological and physical degrees at Boston University. She went on to post- sciences, including biology, chemistry, and biochemistry. doctoral work at Rockefeller University and Columbia University before joining the Uni- Since the scholarship was created in 1994, it has been “It’s so rewarding to provide versity of Chicago, where she rose awarded to more than 20 students, including Caitlin Sulto the positions of professor and livan ’17, a neuroscience and behavior major. During the help to other young women.” vice-chairman of pathology. Her recent Making Education Work Campaign, Butz shared her intention to make a planned gift to Simmons through JOSEPHINE MORELLO BUTZ ’57, ’07HD distinguished career allowed her to teach microbiology, perform a trust, greatly expanding the legacy of her support. hospital laboratory work, and conduct research. Through it all, she remained grateful and connected “It’s so rewarding to provide help to other young women to Simmons. in the hope that they will experience careers equally as satisfying as mine, made possible by their Simmons education,” she says.
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A BIG CAREER CHANGE TOUCHES MANY LIVES — AND SIMMONS Trustee Jennifer Eckert ’08SW came to Simmons in Eckert says the Making Education Work Campaign pursuit of a midlife career change from the fashion inspired her to establish an endowed chair at the School industry to the post-adoption of Social Work as a way to express her gratitude. “I feel the most valuable asset field. Her experience as an adopted child had led to volun- “I feel the most valuable asset Simmons has is the Simmons has is the faculty.” teer work with adopted teens faculty, and a named professorship can help the School continue to attract and retain the best,” says Eckert. “I’m JENNIFER ECKERT ’08SW and their parents, but Eckert wanted to do more. Drawn to also impressed by President Drinan’s leadership, and its focus on clinical work, she set her sights on a mas- the appointment of Cheryl Parks as dean.” ter’s degree from the School of Social Work. President Drinan praised Eckert’s “vision and generosi“I had a wonderful experience — excellent professors, ty,” saying, “The prestige of her endowed chair will bring valuable internships, and rewarding group work,” says many benefits, including an enhanced ability to recruit Eckert, now a psychotherapist specializing in adoption top students who share her passion for social work.” and foster care and the founder of the non-profit Boston Post Adoption Resources. “I never would have had my Eckert channels her passion into her non-profit’s work new career and been able to touch so many lives without with “individuals and families touched by adoption.” Simmons. I’m so grateful.” In a small-world twist, Eckert says she draws on business expertise gained in her previous career at Mast Industries, where her mentors were Martin Trust and Simmons alumna Diane Kagen Trust ’77GS.
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NURSING@SIMMONS TO TRANSFORM HEALTH CARE IN ISRAEL Dr. Evelyn Gruss Lipper ’67, ’00HD has a special, personal interest in improving health care in Israel. So when Simmons announced its online nursing program, Dr. Lipper says she “saw it as an opportunity to strengthen the nursing profession “This program will increase in Israel, and immediately thought of Simmons as a hope in the hearts of all of us vehicle for advancing my who want to promote health, philanthropic goals.”
as well as cooperation and peace, in diverse communities everywhere, including Israel.”
A major gift from Dr. Lipper through the Dr. Evelyn Gruss Lipper Charitable Foundation will allow Simmons to SIMMONS PRESIDENT HELEN DRINAN educate 20 Israeli nurses in the online Nursing@ Simmons Family Nurse Practitioner Master of Science in Nursing program. The goal of the pilot program is to enroll students from all three major faith traditions in Israel (Jewish, Muslim, and Christian). President Helen Drinan says that Dr. Lipper’s “visionary, transformative philanthropy” aligns with the College's strategic efforts to give more students access to its out-
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standing nursing program, thereby helping to expand the availability of high-quality health care in the United States and abroad. The Evelyn Gruss Lipper Scholars Program will have a direct impact on the lives of nurses in Israel and on the health of those they serve. It will also “increase hope in the hearts of all of us who want to promote health, as well as cooperation and peace, in diverse communities everywhere, including Israel,” says President Drinan. Simmons is partnering with Meuhedet Health Services, the third-largest health care provider in Israel. Dr. Lipper is associate professor of clinical pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medical College, where she has served on the faculty since 1982. She received her B.S. at Simmons and her medical degree (M.D.) at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University.
From left: Dr. Evelyn Gruss Lipper ’67, ’00HD; Head of the Primary Care Division for Meuhedet Health Services Dr. Rinat Cohen; Simmons School of Nursing and Health Sciences Dean Judy Beal; Meuhedet Health Services’ Chief Nurse, Dorit Goldman in Tel Aviv, July 2015.
FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS The Simmons community congratulates these faculty members whose works were published in 2015.
Authored by Anita Silvey.
Edited by Michele Cloonan.
Authored by Anna Staniszewski.
Authored by Stephen Berry.
Authored by Anna Staniszewski. Edited by Suzanne Leonard.
Authored by Anna Staniszewski.
Authored by Amy Deschenes.
Authored by Megan Lambert.
Translated by Alister Inglis.
Authored by Megan Lambert. Authored by Kirk Beattie.
Authored by Lisa Davis.
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"Teaching online has enriched me as an educator. I feel like I’ve grown as a human being because of this experience and have such a profound respect for my students. Many of them are first-generation college students, many are from underserved backgrounds or are taking these courses at 5 a.m. from their military base in Afghanistan. It is an honor and privilege to get to know these students and to learn how I can be of service to them.� DANA GROSSMAN LEEMAN, Program Director, Social Work@Simmons
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FEATURE
SIMMONS ONLINE
Simmons College offered its first fully online program, Archives Online in the School of Library Sciences, in the fall of 2012. Since then, Simmons has grown its online offerings to eight degree programs with plans for three more to be fully online by 2017. Here’s our story of growth, and why we think we do it better than anyone else.
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“Professor Del Vecchio-Gilbert is an incredible teacher,” says student Brianna Rivas, 25, of Jacksonville, Fla. “She is preparing us for the final transition from nurses to nurse practitioners, which means we need to start looking at the big picture. She is making us think and apply our knowledge — not just memorize from a textbook.” Simmons faculty enjoy the live-streamed address from class speaker Tara Zamarron during the Virtual Commencement on February 11, 2016. Zamarron earned her Master of Science in Nursing and participated from her home in Mesa, Wash.
A 50-year-old female arrives at the hospital complaining of morning stiffness and joint pain. Professor of Practice and Core Curriculum Director Linda Del Vecchio-Gilbert wants to know what it could be. Psoriatic arthritis? Polymyalgia rheumatica? Lupus?
NURSING@SIMMONS In 2016, the online Master of Science in Nursing program was ranked by U.S.News & World Report among the best online graduate nursing programs in America, becoming one of only three programs in all of New England to earn a spot in the ranking. It was a quick rise to the top for Nursing@ Simmons, which launched its first online program, Family Nurse Practitioner Degree, in 2013. In 2014, Simmons added an online Master of Science in Nursing program for Registered Nurses (RNs) who do not hold a Bachelors Degree in Nursing (RN to MSN). After just three years, Nursing@Simmons now enrolls 1,200 students with 250 instructors. “Our programs not only prepare students to be highly skilled health professionals, our graduates enjoy long, fulfilling careers,” says Judy A. Beal, Dean of the School of Nursing & Health Sciences. “They are leaders in their field and are committed to life-long learning.” What’s next for the program? The Master of Business Administration in Health Care launched this spring, and the Master of Public Health is scheduled for launch in April 2017.
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“I want my students to be great practitioners so they can take care of someone’s daughter or husband or grandfather, because they’ll be doing it in such a short time from now,” says Professor Del Vecchio-Gilbert. “I want From their homes in Port St. Lucie, Florida; them to learn something and to apply it, and Gilbert, Ariz.; and Union, Ky.; Miriam I want them to do it in a team setting. No Owens, Adolfo Ortiz, and Elizabeth Boggs one should feel like they’re alone in these get to work on the subjectives, objectives, classes because that’s not what it’s like in assessments, differentials, and treatment the real world.” plan. Enrolled in the online course “Nursing 503, Primary Care Nursing,” they have been The online Nursing program at Simmons, grouped in a virtual breakout session and Nursing@Simmons, is unquestionably on have 20 minutes before they report back to the rise. Enrollments are up, and it was the entire class of 16. ranked by U.S.News & World Report as the second best online nursing program Sipping on a frozen coffee, Boggs immedi- in Massachusetts and third best in all of ately suggests rheumatoid arthritis, and the New England. others agree. Twenty minutes later, after the professor pings a two-minute warning, the “We have successfully translated our on-theteam is ready to present to the class their ground program, with its rigor and quality, treatment plan of sulfasalazine, hydroxy- to the virtual environment,” says Associchloroquine, and methotrexate — a triple ate Professor of Practice and Director of therapy they read about in a New England Nursing@Simmons Julie Vosit-Steller. Journal of Medicine study. “What was most important to us was to successfully prepare our graduates to go Following their presentation, Professor Del into communities ready to interact with Vecchio-Gilbert peppers the entire class patients, and we’re doing that.” with questions. “What if the patient was 74 instead of 50? What kind of work does When did Simmons start she do — if she is typing all day, will that doing courses online? have an effect? What are the side effects of the steroids and medications we’re giving Shortly after Nursing@Simmons launched her? Don’t forget the psychological impacts its first online program in 2013, a master’s degree in nursing for family nurse practiof our diagnoses,” she says.
“Our programs not only prepare students to be highly skilled health professionals, our graduates enjoy long, fulfilling careers. They are leaders in their field and are committed to life-long learning.” JUDY A. BEAL, Dean of the School of Nursing & Health Sciences
FEATURE
ENROLLMENT GROWTH SLIS ONLINE PROGRAM
SSW ONLINE PROGRAM
NURSING ONLINE PROGRAM
246 534
123 496
172 1,231
Credits in Fall 2012 Credits in Spring 2016
tioners, the School of Social Work followed suit. It was actually the School of Library and Information Science that offered the first online programming at Simmons, debuting the Archives Management Concentration in 2012, but the real beginning of Simmons’s online education dates back to 2010. When Deputy Provost Stefan Krug first saw the work that 2U, a higher education online program development company, was doing with the University of Southern California’s online School of Social Work six years ago, it was “a revelation.”
Students in Fall 2014 Students in Spring 2016
Students in Fall 2013 Students in Spring 2016
“All the things I thought you couldn’t do with an online program — ensure meaningful teacher-student interaction, maintain program quality, infuse the culture and mission of the institution — they had managed to do,” says Krug. Two years later, 2U came calling on President Drinan at Simmons to propose a partnership — first with the Nursing program, and then a year later with Social Work. “I tell you,” says Krug, “it was big for us. Of all the schools they could choose on the east coast, they came to Simmons.”
“2U was willing to invest heavily in us,” Krug continues. “I think our faculty were won over by the respectful approach of 2U, their obvious competence, and the exquisite attention paid to the process of teaching and learning in an online environment.”
Faculty and Student Support Instructors who teach online courses hold the same credentials as those who teach on campus, and they are subject to a rigorous training and evaluation program to learn best practices and keep their online teaching skills sharp. Similar to students, online instructors have access to robust support services, which might explain their high retention rate. Social Work@ Simmons offers a faculty pedagogy club, a group that shares articles and blog posts, and meets monthly. The program director sends weekly teaching tips as well, to ensure the Simmons culture and academic integrity are preserved. Similarly, student support is a cornerstone of Simmons’s online courses, with counselors assigned to each online learner in every
Nursing@Simmons students gather on campus as part of the February 2016 Immersion Weekend. All program participants come to Boston for in-person instruction, to meet their faculty and peers, and to enjoy the sights and sounds of Boston.
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program. Additional support can easily be course design. Yet it is our unique Simmons accessed in all Simmons online programs. culture that helps many of our online For example, Social Work@Simmons stu- learners succeed.” SOCIAL JUSTICE, THE SIMMONS WAY dents can join peer mentoring groups and “I think our program is going to shape participate in the Student Advisory Board, The future of online social work education nationally,” says akin to the student government association. coursework at Simmons Professor Grossman Leeman. “There are On campus services such as the writing people who are going to become social center and library services are also available. “I see a blurring of lines between online and workers in areas of the country where Alumnae/i are involved, with many taking on-the-ground coursework at Simmons,” there are very few well-trained social part in “Narratives of Everyday Practice,” a says Suzie Murphy, Vice President of Straworkers. We have removed barriers bimonthly webinar series in which alumni tegic Initiatives for Simmons Online. “We for working parents and others who answer questions and offer key advice to have built phenomenal online courses absolutely should be social workers, current students. here, and we are experiencing tremendous and who are now studying to be social growth. We need to leverage the flexibility workers. These things are aligned with Support services make students “more of online learning to create more blended the values of Simmons and of the social well-rounded,” says Alberto Chang, 44, opportunities for students.” work profession.” who is transitioning from a 20-year career as a management consultant to become a “Where we will see growth is around interdispsychotherapist. “The support we get at ciplinary programs,” Murphy continues. “By Simmons is not just academic. It helps with putting more courses online, they become advocacy training, and we develop a social accessible to students from any program with homework and talking about life in work network across the country. I learned as electives. Ultimately, we can create a general,” she says. “I’ve made lasting frienda lot I didn’t expect.” catalog of online and blended options ships, but more importantly, the content that enable our stu- of classes wasn’t lacking and the program dents to be creative had all the rigor I would expect from a “We recognize our distance learners and as they chart their Master’s program.” online instructors perform better when they academic path here Eubank is now working as a process and have the resources they need to succeed.” at Simmons.” strategy leader at SE2.com, a third-party SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK DEAN CHERYL A. PARKS When Kelly Scott insurance administrator in Topeka, Kan. Eubank ’14LS first She is helping lead an enterprise manage“Providing a supportive environment is part applied to the online Master in Library ment system, a project she says “was an of the Simmons culture — it is how we teach Information Science program, she had con- aspiration” three years ago. “Now I have the and learn here,” says School of Social Work cerns about what the experience would be tools to do that,” she says. “My education Dean Cheryl A. Parks. “We offer the latest like. But she says she found the rigor and has helped me realize my goals and move technology, evolve our programs based on camaraderie she was seeking. “Our cohort up the ranks.” ▪ best practices, and take great care in our became very cohesive, helping one another
WHAT’S NEXT FOR SLIS ONLINE?
The School of Library Information Science has been offering the Archives Management Concentration online since 2012. In 2014, a second online concentration, Information Science and Technology, was offered. New for Fall 2016 is a fully customizable, online Design Your Own (DYO) Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science.
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“We are referring to this as the DYO MS, since students will work with their advisors to tailor their program to meet their interests and career goals.” EILEEN ABELS, Dean of the School of Library Information Science
Designer's rendering of the Daly Field athletics complex, slated to open in September 2016.
DALY FIELD IS A GAME CHANGER FOR SIMMONS Benefits of New Athletics Complex Extend Beyond Playing Fields
“The Daly Field project is vital to the continued strength of our athletic programs and to raise the profile of Simmons as an institution of higher education.” PRESIDENT HELEN G. DRINAN ’75LS, ’78SM
Starting this fall, for the first time in its history, Simmons College will have an outdoor athletics complex. Our scholar athletes will finally enjoy a “home field” (and court) advantage as they compete in lacrosse, field hockey, soccer, tennis, and softball. This huge step forward is possible because Simmons is leading an innovative public/private partnership that’s transforming the Daly Field athletic complex in Boston’s AllstonBrighton neighborhood. Since December, construction crews have been hard at work turning Daly Field’s seven acres of barren,
underused public land into a state-of-the-art athletics complex a short drive from campus. Simmons has teamed up with other “Friends of Daly Field” to revive and use the facility for at least 20 years under a special agreement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Now Simmons won’t have to scramble every year to rent a patchwork of often sub-par fields and courts scattered around Boston. VALUABLE BENEFITS FOR SIMMONS Daly Field offers outstanding benefits to Simmons. It’s a unique, strategic opportunity to: »»Give our athletes and teams reliable access to high-quality facilities »»Help us recruit and retain talented scholar athletes »»Further strengthen the competitiveness and prestige of Simmons »»Advance our commitment to women’s development and leadership
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“In our teaching and coaching, we focus on and look for opportunities where we can assist each student to reach her potential as a leader and to excel in the classroom and on the athletic field.” ALI KANTOR, Director of Athletics WOMEN’S ATHLETICS & LEADERSHIP — A POWERFUL CONNECTION A core mission of Simmons is developing strong leadership qualities in our students, preparing them for their future careers and lives. Our athletes are among the highest performers in the classroom and achieve some of the highest graduation rates. An ever growing body of research confirms that participating in athletics increases young women’s prospects for academic, professional, and leadership success. »»When women and girls can walk on the playing field, they are more likely to step
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into the classroom, the boardroom, and step out as leaders in society. – U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs »»94% of C-suite women surveyed played sport; 52% played at the university level; 77% think that women who played sport make good employees. – EY Women Athletes Business Network and espnW
JOIN THE TEAM! The transformation of Daly Field is a team effort! To join our dedicated alumnae/i, friends, parents, and community partners in support of this transformational project, please: »» Visit alumnet.simmons.edu/ dalyfield-giving »» Call 800-831-4284
»»80% of the female executives at Fortune 500 companies identified themselves as former “tomboys” — having played sports. – The Women’s Sports Foundation
Learn more about Daly Field at simmons.edu/student-life/life-atsimmons/daly-field
SHARK BITES News from Athletics Success has become synonymous with Player of the Year in the conference, and Simmons Athletics over the last few years, backfielder Maizy Wagner ’18 (Chester and the 2015-16 season was no different. County, Pa.), the first Simmons Shark to All of the school’s fall athletic programs earn conference Defensive Player of the advanced to the playoffs, with field hockey, Year honors. In tennis, senior Meg Cokely tennis, and swimming & diving earning ’16 (Haverhill, Mass.) became the program’s Great Northeast Athletic Conference all-time leader in combined singles and (GNAC ) championships. doubles victories. Congratulations to two field hockey standout sophomores: forward Julie Saltamartini ’18 (East Hampstead, N.H.), the first Simmons Shark to be named Offensive
Junior Miriam Swisher ’17 (Albuquerque, N.M.) broke five school swimming & diving records this year. At a meet between 21 of the best teams in New England, Swisher
2015–16 By the Numbers:
30 1 All-Conference Selections
Defensive Player of the Year
1
Offensive Player of the Year
3.46
Collective grade point average of Simmons student-athletes
6
58 8
Shutouts in 19 field hockey matches, the most of any team in the nation
Field hockey players named to All-Conference team
Consecutive regular-season wins by the tennis team
Times tennis coach Bob Rauseo selected as GNAC Conference Coach of the Year, including 2016
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There’s plenty to be proud of at Simmons and athletics is a major part of that. We invite you to join us in 2016-17 for another exciting year, highlighted by the opening of the new Daly Field — a bold statement to the rest of the region that Simmons College is committed to providing state-of-the-art athletic and wellness resources for its students, faculty, alumnae/i, neighbors, and partners. It’s definitely good to be a Shark!
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broke a meet record that had stood for 23 years and was named the Swimmer of the Meet. Swisher and first year Laura Simpson ’19 (Perkiomenville, Pa.) each won a pair of individual crowns to become the first swimmers in school history to win multiple races at the event.
Consecutive conference championships for swimming & diving team (14 in the last 15 years)
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Consecutive conference titles (10 in the last 11 years) for the tennis team
3rd
Place finish by the swimming & diving team at the New England Intercollegiate Swimming & Diving Association Championships
Tennis players named to AllConference team
2nd
Place finish by the cross-country team in their championship meet, the highest standing in school history
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Nonprofit org. US Postage PAID Permit #1325 S.Boston, MA
300 THE FENWAY, BOSTON, MA 02115-5898
leadership.simmons.edu/international
Simmons International Leadership Conference November 16-17, 2016 | InterContinental Berlin, Germany
Dame Stephanie Shirley High-tech Legend
Zainab Salbi Activist & Humanitarian
Martina Navratilova Tennis Icon
Anne-Marie Slaughter Foreign Policy Expert
Yue-Sai Kan Producer & Entrepreneur
The premier US women’s leadership conference is going to
BE R L I N
SIMMONS.EDU/ALUMNI
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