Dr. Lamont Simmons is a dedicated educator, researcher, and advocate in social work, specializing in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB); social justice; and transformational learning. As Program Director for the Bachelor of Social Work at UDC, his expertise spans qualitative research, academic persistence, and intersectionality, particularly for historically underrepresented students. His scholarship includes critical work on anti-racist practices, disability justice, and social work education.
Experience
Education
Doctor of Education: Higher and Adult Education Leadership, University of Memphis Master of Social Work: Advanced Generalist, Aurora University Bachelor of Social Work, Aurora University
Courses Taught
Introduction to Critical Thinking & Intensive Writing Social Work Practice I Research in Social Welfare I Research in Social Welfare II Practicum I Practicum II
Expertise
Research Focus / Works in Progress
Academic persistence; diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; equity-minded ppractices; first-generation college students; historically and emerging underrepresented college students; intersectionality; qualitative research; social justice; transformational learning
Leadership
Program Director, UDC Bachelor of Social Work Program, 2023-Present
Impact
Selected Publications
King, D.M., Rouland, R.S., Howell, T.H., Dyson, Y.D., Simmons, L.D., Bencomo, B., & Becker, B. (In Press). Is social work exempt from microaggression? A systematic review of racial microaggressions in social work education. Journal of Social Work Education.
Simmons, L.D., & Slayter, E. (2023). Intersectional anti-racist practice with the disability community. Intersectionalities: A Global Journal of Social Work Analysis, Research, Polity, and Practice, 11(1). 102-123. https://doi.org/10.48336/IJBMWA4948
Simmons, L.D., Slayter, E., & Johnson, L. (2023). Using an anti-racist, equity-minded lens in assessment of teaching and learning. Social Work Education, 43(8). 2274-2290. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2023.2254777
Slayter, E., Kattari, S.K., Yakas, L., Singh, R., Goulden, A., Taylor, S., Wernick, L.J., Simmons, L.D., & Prince, D. (2022). Beyond ramps, curb cuts, and captions: A call for disability justice in social work. Social Work, 67(5), 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swac045
Simmons, L.D. (2019). Sustaining trajectories: Black males persisting in undergraduate social work education. Advances in Social Work, 19(2), 290-310. https://doi.org/10.18060/22647
Selected Presentations
Simmons, L.D. (2023). Equity, equality, and fairness - A survey analysis of MSW conceptualizations of social justice. Council on Social Work Education’s 69th Annual Program Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia.
Mirick, R.G., & Simmons, L.D. (2022). Gatekeeping in BSW programs: Processes, pitfalls, and resources. 39th Annual Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors Conference, Virtual.
Simmons, L.D. (2022). A case study of persistence among undergraduate Black males in an ethnic-based student organization. 6th Annual Conference on Academic Research in Education, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Simmons, L.D., & Slayter, E. (2022). Intersectional anti-racist interventions with the disability community. 25th Annual American Association of Behavioral and Social Sciences Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Recognitions
Faculty Recipient, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award, Salem State University, 2022 Nominee, Distinguished Teaching Award, Salem State University, 2019 Nominee, Outstanding First-Year Advocate Award, Salem State University, 2018 Outstanding Doctoral Student Award, College of Education, University of Memphis, 2012
Invited Participations
Simmons, L.D. (2023). Systemic racism on people of color in social work. International Exchange Program, Zurich University School of Social Work. Zurich, Switzerland.
Slayter, E., & Simmons, L.D. (2023). Race x disability: Lifting up Black & African American leaders in the disability justice movement. School of Social Work, Salem State University, Salem, Massachusetts.
Wilson, J.L., & Simmons, L.D. (2022). Thinking about YOUR diversity statement. Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.
Simmons, L.D., & Slayter, E. (2021). Vaccine choices for BIPOC and disability communities: How social workers can inform and support decision-making. Greater Boston Association of Black Social Workers, Boston, Massachusetts.
Simmons, L.D. (2021). Systemic racism, COVID-19, and the social determinants of health. Citizens Inn Annual Meeting, Salem, Massachusetts.
