Dean of Students
Sarah Neill will now take your questions
Favorite aspect of Simmons College? -Anna 14’, Management John Simmons’ enduring legacy. It speaks to me and I think it is just as relevant today as it was when the college was founded. And I see evidence of it everywhere.
books. My favorite to read to Emmett is, “The Going to Bed Book”. It’s a great little book about all these animals that are on a boat and they do all these rituals together before going to bed.
Favorite musical group to listen to? -Allison 14’, Physical Therapy I really like all types of music and a lot of the time it really depends on my mood. But I would say right now one band I am really listening to is Death Cab for Cutie. I am a sucker for power pop. I also really love Irma Thomas and Nina Simone. I like jazz and musicians I have never actually met like Joshua Redman. you but I have heard a lot about you. I am curious to Why are you so ‘awesome’ know what you think makes all the time? -Siena 14’, History you so prominent here at Simmons? Ask my mom. (Laughs) I also -Nic 15’, Bio/Chem/Pre-Med have a wonderful team that inspires me everyday. If you think First of all, I am pleased to hear that you think I am prominent I’m ‘awesome’, I’m only ‘awesome’ because of the team I and known. It’s important that you all know who I am and who have around me. the staff is in the student life division. As the Dean of Student Favorite book to read to Life, people should know who your son Emmett? -Allison 13’, Psychology you are but that doesn’t mean I get to have personal relationships Emmett is very interested in books and I am very interested in with every student on campus. A reading to him. It’s an important big part of being Dean of Student Life is that there is a ritual in our household. But I person who is here to support would have to say I am real and advocate for them. I am sucker for Sandra Boynton constantly saying hi to students,
so I would invite you stop me and introduce yourself ! Who is your favorite student? -Ellen 14’, Physical Therapy Why, you of course Ellen! (Laughs) Actually, I would have to say my favorite student would have to be the one who takes themselves seriously and is fully engaged in their college experience. You know who you are. What is your fondest and most difficult memory since working at Simmons? -Laura 14’, Undecided Several years ago, I got to know a student named Erika who was an athlete and physical therapy major. Sadly she was diagnosed with a brain tumor in her senior year. She was not able to complete her program and passed away later that year. However, before she died the physical therapy faculty, dean, several other administrators and myself awarded her a degree from the college. We held a ceremony in her hospital room with her family present to honor her. In the process I got to know her friendship circle very well. They struggled mightily with her illness and her eventual passing. I was honored to be able to connect with them throughout the process. It was a difficult memory but it was very powerful in terms of the relationship I developed with all of these