Students can initiate the formation of a new organization at anytime in consultation with the SGA and Student Support and Alumni Networks. Student Support and Alumni Networks supports student groups in various ways including: logistics support, advertising and student outreach and accessing activity funding. Any student or group of students interested in starting an organization can send an email to Simmons SW Advising.
Students have the right to organize in their own interest and are encouraged and supported in doing so. Students can organize affinity groups and other support groups or can come together to advocate for change in policy or curriculum.
Student Organizations/Associations/Affinity Groups may include MSW students from both program platforms (onground and online):
- Student Leadership Council (SLC) – Comprised of All Student Group Leaders
The Student Leadership Council, comprised of all student group leaders, aims to serve as a dynamic hub of communication of SSW events, issue advocacy and activities. Membership consists of nominated students from various student organizations, as well as elected representatives of the student body. Meetings will be open to all students and provide a structured forum to discuss current issues or events across the SSW community.
- National Association Black Social Workers (NABSW)
The National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc., comprised of people of African ancestry, is committed to enhancing the quality of life and empowering people of African ancestry through advocacy, human services delivery, and research.
The Simmons Student Chapter meets regularly throughout the year and participates in community service, fundraising events, attendance at the annual National Conference and more.
For more information on student membership, contact the Student Chapter Faculty Advisor, Eugenia Knight at [email protected].
- SSW LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Questioning) – Not Currently Active
- Not Currently Active
The SSW LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Questioning) student group is open to students in both the BSW and MSW programs. The mission of the LGBTQ student group is to provide resources and educational opportunities to Simmons SSW faculty, staff, and students; to raise awareness about LGBTQ issues and student needs in the program, and to provide a place of community for LGBTQ students.
- Clinicians for Diversity
More information on Clinicians for Diversity will be available soon.
- Student Veterans of Amerca (SVA)
Simmons Chapter of SVA’s mission is to provide military veterans with the resources, support, and advocacy needed to succeed at Simmons College and following graduation. This Chapter will lead the way by combining our core values of military service with our deeply-held beliefs in inclusion, equality, and social justice.
- Disability and Mental Health Community of Social Work Students – Not Currently Active
- Not currently active
Can be reinstated by student-led interest and request
Disability and Mental Health Community of Social Work Students aims to provide a space for Simmons School of Social Work graduate students to form a community around and raise awareness of mental illness and disability among social work community. We believe that it is our ethical duty to reduce the stigma of mental illness and disability amongst our peers in order to begin to dismantle institutional and interpersonal ableism that negatively impacts our clients and their communities. In accordance with the NASW Code of Ethics, this group will “seek to promote the responsiveness of organizations, communities, and other social institutions to individuals’ needs and social problems” by creating this unique space within the Simmons School of Social Work. This group would offer peer support, engage in school-wide activism and provide opportunities for community education around the issues of mental illness and disability among social workers. This group is open to all Simmons School of Social Work graduate students who identify as having a mental illness and/or disability, or who struggle with mental health issues.
- Not currently active
- WCAR (White Clinicians Against Racism and formerly STAAR)
Mission Statement
White Clinicians Against Racism (WCAR) is an affinity space for White students to take an active role in anti-racism work at Simmons School of Social Work and beyond.
WCAR goals:
- Invite fellow White students to engage in self-reflection, learning, and action around race, power, privilege and oppression.
- Create space for White students to examine how we perpetuate racism in our own clinical practice and work to dismantle it.
- Connect White students to antiracist trainings, workshops, and action led by People of Color at Simmons and beyond.
- Learn from one another and hold each other accountable to uphold our profession’s value of social justice.
Wherever you are in your journey towards antiracism, you are welcome at WCAR. We ask you to come with an open mind and a desire to learn and self-reflect.
As of the 2022-2023 school year, WCAR communicates via a Listserv and a Facebook group. Please contact Sky Gavis-Hughson to get connected to WCAR.