Simmons University

Established in 1899, Simmons University is located in the heart of Boston and is made up of a primarily female undergraduate college, as well as a coeducation graduate school.

The college was founded by wealthy clothing manufacturer John Simmons, who believed women should be given the opportunity to study for professional roles in society. The university is renowned for its progressive view on education - the first African American student graduated in 1914 and it was one of a small number of private colleges not to impose admission quotas on Jewish students during the 1900s.

Recently, it became the third women’s college in the country to accept transgender women too.

Simmons College is made up of an academic campus and a residential campus, which are located a short distance from one another. As well as several residence halls, the residential campus is also home to an auditorium, a dining hall, a fitness centre and a health centre. There are a vast range of student clubs and organisations too, as well as the athletics teams that are known as the Sharks.

The undergraduate college offers more than 50 diverse programs, in addition to other academic units including the College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Studies, the School of Library and Information Science, the School of Management, the School of Social Work, and the School of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Notable former students include managing editor of Washington Week Gwen Ifill, film producer Denise Di Novi, whose work includes Edward Scissorhands and Crazy Stupid Love, as well as six-time Grammy Award nominee Nnenna Freelon.