Jennifer Eckert Center for Leadership & Engagement

The Jennifer Eckert Center for Leadership & Engagement has a mission to to enhance leadership development opportunities for a diverse and engaged student body by empowering students to practice Everyday Leadership, social responsibility, and mutual respect.

Our vision is to strengthen competency, foster equity, and work to close the opportunity gap for students through collaborative programming, leadership development, and enrichment opportunities.  

This center and its programming are made possible by the philanthropy of Simmons alumna and trustee Jennifer Eckert ’08 MSW. At its core, the center will enable Simmons to more explicitly and intentionally embed leadership within a student’s experience from the moment they’re accepted, furthering the university’s work as one of Boston’s premier leadership institutions.

Initiatives supported by the Eckert Center include a fellowship program that enables graduate students to lead projects on diversity, equity, and inclusion while receiving professional leadership coaching; the Simmons Bridge Program, which enhances incoming first-year BIPOC students’ opportunities to connect and thrive in the Simmons community; and opportunities for undergraduate students to engage in community service, citizenship, and leadership development throughout their time at Simmons.

The Jennifer Eckert Center for Leadership & Engagement

Chelsey O’Connor

Assistant Director

Christy Lusiak

Assistant Director (Orientation and First-Year Programs)

The Jennifer Eckert Center for Leadership & Engagement in the News

Karla Alba ’23, Inaugural Jennifer Eckert Leadership Fellow

Karla Alba ’23, Inaugural Jennifer Eckert Leadership Fellow for DEI, Knows the Importance of Difficult Conversations

Jennifer Eckert '08MSW, a member of the Simmons University Board of Trustees, provided a generous donation to support the mission of Simmons University to become a beacon of leadership in the world of higher education. A portion of these funds...


Simmons University cupola

Significant Gift Invests in Simmons University’s Vision For Educating Inclusive “Everyday Leaders”

New Jennifer Eckert Center for Leadership and Engagement will enhance leadership development opportunities for students and advance Simmons’ work as one of Boston’s premier leadership institutions. Eckert and Simmons both embrace the concept of leading with purpose, and her gift will help translate that idea into students’ preparation for life and careers after graduating.