2002 Fulbright Lifetime Achievement Medal Recipient

Inaugurated as the 18th president of Brown University in July 2001, Dr. Simmons is recognized as an outstanding educator. She served as president of Smith College from 1995 to 2001 and has also been a member of the faculties of the University of New Orleans, California State University Northridge, Spelman College and Princeton University. After graduating from Dillard University, Dr. Simmons was awarded a Fulbright fellowship to France. She earned a doctorate in romance languages and literatures from Harvard University in 1973. She has received Harvard’s Centennial Medal, the Medal of Distinguished Service from Columbia University Teachers College and the National Urban League Leadership Award. In 1996, Dr. Simmons was named Woman of the Year by CBS and by Glamour Magazine and an NBC Nightly News Most Inspiring Woman. She serves on the boards of directors of Goldman Sachs, Pfizer Inc. and Texas Instruments.