Simmons University Honors Five With Alumnae/i Awards for USA Community Service and Leadership
Recent news from Simmons University highlights the outstanding achievements of five graduates recognized at Reunion 2026. The Alumnae/i Association Executive Board (AAEB) presented the annual Alumnae/i Awards to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their professions, their communities, and the university. These awards serve as a testament to the lasting impact of a Simmons education, particularly in the areas of USA community service, public health, technology, and the arts. By examining the careers and contributions of these honorees, prospective and current students can better understand the long-term value of active engagement and leadership development.
Celebrating Career Achievements and Dedication to Public Service
Reunion weekends are a staple of higher education, offering a time for reflection and reconnection. However, the presentation of the Alumnae/i Awards elevates these gatherings by showcasing concrete examples of institutional values in action. At Simmons University, the awards are categorized to recognize different phases and facets of a professional life, from recent graduates making immediate waves to seasoned executives dedicating decades to public service. The 2026 honorees represent a cross-section of industries, proving that leadership takes many forms. Their stories provide a blueprint for how to leverage academic foundations into meaningful, real-world impact across the USA.
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The Alumnae/i Service Award: Sustaining Institutional Legacy
The Alumnae/i Service Award specifically recognizes individuals who have given their time and resources to ensure the university continues to thrive. This year, the AAEB honored two graduates who have maintained a profound connection to Simmons, ensuring that future generations receive the same opportunities they did.
Sandra Lief Garrett ’67: Building Foundations in Public Service
Sandra Lief Garrett graduated from Simmons University with a degree in political science before building a robust career in public service and the not-for-profit sector. Her professional trajectory was directly influenced by her undergraduate experiences, particularly her participation in the Washington Semester Program and her internships with a state legislator and on Capitol Hill. Garrett credits these early experiential learning opportunities as the “educational building blocks” of her career.
Beyond her professional work, Garrett has remained deeply involved with Simmons. She served on the AAEB from 2017 to 2020 and led her Class of 1967 as president for four years. Under her guidance, the class established the Class of 1967 Endowed Scholarship, which specifically targets first-generation students. Her advocacy for continued alumni involvement highlights a critical aspect of higher education: the responsibility of graduates to support the systems that supported them.
Elaine Zetes ’71: Bridging Art History and Corporate Leadership
Elaine Zetes graduated with a dual degree in art history and English, beginning her career as a photo researcher at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Her proximity to the Simmons campus facilitated a lifetime of active alumni participation. Zetes later transitioned into the financial sector, spending 36 years at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. She retired as Corporate Secretary and Chief of Staff to the President, notably managing the Bank’s extensive 20th-century art collection—a unique fusion of her academic background and corporate role.
Zetes has held numerous leadership roles within the alumni network, including serving on the Alumnae Association Executive Board, chairing multiple Reunion committees, and co-chairing the 125th Anniversary Campaign Committee. She was instrumental in establishing the Class of 1971 Endowed Scholarship. Zetes views this scholarship as a legacy, stating that it is designed to give future students the same “transformational” experience and lifelong friendships that defined her time at Simmons.
Championing USA Community Service: The Community Service Award
Community service is a pillar of the Simmons ethos, and the Community Service Award highlights graduates who translate this value into actionable programs that address societal disparities.
Betty Boyle-Duke ’95, ’99MSN: Addressing Health Disparities
Betty Boyle-Duke has spent over 25 years as a pediatric primary care nurse practitioner, but her commitment to public health extends far beyond the clinic. As a recipient of the Community Service Award, Boyle-Duke was recognized for her extensive leadership in grassroots organizations. She has held leadership positions in the Black Nurses Association and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she directed large-scale public service initiatives.
Her most notable recent contribution involves her role as board chair of the Brooklyn YWCA in New York. In this position, she developed a community service initiative that culminates in an annual event dedicated to caring for and honoring marginalized and low-income women. Now in its fourth year, this program directly addresses the social determinants of health that affect underserved populations.
Boyle-Duke frames her approach to community service around actionable problem-solving. During her acceptance speech, she challenged her peers to move beyond awareness of health disparities affecting Black communities and toward tangible interventions. “If we know these disparities exist, what are we going to do about it? For me, the answer has always been action,” she stated. She credits Simmons University with providing her with a “blueprint for service, leadership, and community engagement” that has guided her career across the USA.
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Recognizing Emerging Leadership: Recent Alumnae/i Achievement
The Recent Alumnae/i Achievement Award focuses on graduates from the past decade who have already begun to make significant contributions to their communities and to Simmons University.
Sandy Fonseca-Lopes ’15: Amplifying Voices and Mentorship
Sandy Fonseca-Lopes graduated with a degree in neuroscience and behavior, but her impact during her time on campus was defined by her deep involvement in student life. She was active in the Black Student Organization, the Student Government Association, and Residence Life, and she volunteered with City Year to support public school students. Her leadership was recognized early when she received the Class of 2015 Leadership Award.
Since graduation, Fonseca-Lopes has continued to leverage her organizational skills to support marginalized groups. She has been instrumental in organizing the Black Alumnae/i Symposium and has maintained her involvement with Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. In a statement read on her behalf at Reunion 2026, Fonseca-Lopes emphasized how Simmons helped her find her voice. “At Simmons, I learned that my voice has power, my presence has purpose, and leadership isn’t something you wait to be given, but something you step into,” she shared. Her career continues to focus on supporting young people through consistent mentorship and compassion.
The Lifetime Achievement Award: Three Decades of Technological Leadership
The highest honor of the evening, the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizes a career defined by sustained excellence and significant contributions to both an industry and the university.
Enna Jimenez ’91, ’06EE: Pioneering in Tech and Trustee Leadership
Enna Jimenez graduated from Simmons University as a double major in computer science and Spanish. Over the past 35 years, she has built a distinguished career in senior technology and management roles, earning recognition both in Boston and nationally, including a Leadership and Excellence citation from former Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker in 2019. Her success in a highly competitive field underscores the importance of women’s representation in STEM.
Jimenez’s connection to Simmons runs exceptionally deep. She has served as a past president of both the AAEB and the Board of Trustees, and she chaired the committee for the university’s 125th-anniversary Reunion celebration. She openly acknowledges the role that specific faculty and administrators played in her development, citing the late Dean Betty Rawlins and Professor Margaret Menzin as pivotal figures who challenged her and invested in her success. As a commuter student, Jimenez also highlighted the sacrifices of her parents, whose steadfast support provided the foundation for her achievements. “Everything Simmons planted in me is still growing,” Jimenez noted, committing to continued service to the university.
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The Value of Active Alumni Networks in Higher Education
The stories of these five award winners illustrate a critical component of the higher education ecosystem: the alumni network. An active alumni association provides ongoing mentorship, financial support through endowed scholarships, and advocacy for the institution’s mission. For current students, understanding that a network of professionals is actively investing in their success can be a significant motivator.
Furthermore, the specific achievements of these women—ranging from managing corporate art collections to founding public health initiatives—demonstrate the versatility of a liberal arts and sciences education. The ability to adapt, lead, and apply critical thinking across disparate fields is a recurring theme among the honorees. Prospective students evaluating universities should consider not just the curriculum, but the strength and engagement level of the alumni community they are joining.
Moving Forward: Continuing the Legacy of Service
The 2026 Alumnae/i Awards at Simmons University reinforce the institution’s long-standing commitment to developing leaders who prioritize community service and professional integrity. The honorees—Sandra Lief Garrett, Elaine Zetes, Betty Boyle-Duke, Sandy Fonseca-Lopes, and Enna Jimenez—represent diverse career paths unified by a common thread of giving back. Their work in public health, technology, government, and the arts highlights the broad societal impact that graduates can have when they remain grounded in their core values.
For those looking to engage with this vibrant community, opportunities abound. Whether through attending reunions, contributing to endowed scholarships, or mentoring current students, active participation ensures that the educational foundation provided by the university continues to support future generations. The legacy of these award winners serves as a benchmark for excellence and a call to action for all who share a connection to the institution.
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