African Women Participate in U.S. Department of State's Women's Leadership Program at Simmons College

BOSTON, July 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to help develop future women leaders and to promote better understanding between Americans and people of other countries, Simmons College will host 20 undergraduate African students for a five-week program. The "Study of the United States Institute on Women's Leadership" is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State; the program runs through July 26. This is the second year in a row that Simmons has hosted this distinguished international program.

The 20 women are undergraduate students from the African countries of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Liberia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Sudan. The academic program developed by the State Department and Simmons will focus on women's leadership in the United States, strengthening the students' leadership skills by heightening their awareness of U.S. and global women's issues. Follow the participants and their activities on Twitter @StudyoftheUS.

"We are thrilled to be hosting these young, talented women leaders," said Simmons President Helen Drinan. "Empowerment and leadership development is at the forefront of all we do here at Simmons College."

During their visit, the African students will engage in intense academic study, leadership training, community service, and regular interactions with American peers. The students also will spend a weekend with an American host family, and conclude the program with an educational visit to historic landmarks in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Joining the African students are five Simmons Richardson International Fellows whose participation and travel is fully supported by Grace Richardson, a Simmons alumna and benefactor. The Fellows will receive four independent study credits for their participation.

The "Study of the U.S. Institutes" is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The Study of the U.S. Institute participants at Simmons are among more than 40,000 individuals participating in U.S. Department of State exchange programs each year. For more than 60 years, ECA has funded and supported programs that seek to promote mutual understanding and respect between the citizens of the United States and of other countries. For more information about ECA programs, click here. 

Simmons College offers the only MBA designed expressly for women. The Simmons School of Management has been recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the "Best 296 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 (http://www.simmons.edu) 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, and business. Follow Simmons on Twitter @SimmonsCollege and @SimmonsNews.

SOURCE Simmons College

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