Simmons College

BOSTON (February 23, 2012) - More than 35 international women Fulbright Scholars will descend on the campus of Simmons College, beginning March 7, for a three-day strategy and leadership caucus, as part of the distinguished 2012 Fulbright Leadership and Re-entry Seminar for Women from the Western Hemisphere.

The scholars, who are mostly from Central and South America, have been in the United States for up to two years, researching subjects ranging from ocean engineering, to accounting and finance, to agriculture. At Simmons, the women will develop specific action plans as they prepare to re-adjust to their home countries and cultures, to help them fully realize the depth of their scholarly experiences in the United States and map their next steps as scholarly leaders.

"Successful reentry is one of the most important and often most overlooked elements of international exchange programs, and we are delighted to host these women leaders during this transition," said President Helen Drinan. "With our top-notch executive education programs, Simmons is poised to support their continued leadership development."

Led by Patricia Deyton, a professor and director of the Center for Gender in Organizations at the Simmons School of Management, the women will participate in a series of interactive workshops and activities to strengthen their knowledge and growth as effective leaders. Among the activities the women will participate in is a panel discussion with Boston women leaders, including:

• Ruth Ellen Fitch, president & CEO of the Dimock Health Center


• Anne Hawley, director of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum


• Milly Arbaje-Thomas, director of ABCD Parker Hill/Fenway Neighborhood Service Center

The women scholars also will participate in a number of cultural activities around Boston, including a tour of the historic Freedom Trail, a dinner in the famous Union Oyster House, and a show at the Huntington Theatre.

Simmons has a long history of educating women for their own empowerment and leadership. The School offers the only MBA designed expressly for women, which has been recognized by The Princeton Review among the "Best 294 Business Schools" in the country and is ranked No. 1 in the United States with the " Greatest Opportunity for Women."

Founded in 1899, Simmons College is a nationally ranked university located in the heart of Boston with a history of visionary thinking and social responsibility. It offers undergraduate education for women, and renowned coeducational graduate programs in nursing and health sciences, liberal arts, library and information science, social work, as well as the nation's first MBA program designed specifically for women. Follow Simmons on Twitter@SimmonsCollege and @ SimmonsNews.

Source: Simmons