Meet the Provost

Dr. Stephanie Cosner, Provost, is a Professor of Social Work and served as both Vice Provost and Inaugural Dean of the College of Social Sciences, Policy, and Practice at Simmons. Dr. Cosner is an experienced higher education leader bringing more than 10 years of administrative experience to this position. Her administrative experience is complemented by scholarship and teaching in social innovation, technology and social sector leadership.  

As Provost, Dr. Cosner will lead the vision and strategy for the full range of Simmons’ academic offerings, including the institution’s diverse mix of undergraduate, graduate, campus-based, and online programs. She will also guide the implementation of Simmons’ new academic programs and accelerated master’s degree offerings.

As a prolific scholar, Dr. Cosner has published more than 70 works and shared her research with local, national and international audiences. Her book, Innovation From Within: Redefining How Nonprofits Solve Problems (Oxford, 2018), helps nonprofit organizations develop strategies for innovation. Prior to her arrival at Simmons, Dr. Cosner served as Assistant Dean, Doctoral Program Director, Chair of the Social Innovation and Leadership Program, and Chair of Children, Youth and Families at the Boston College School of Social Work. As the Founder and Co-Director of the Boston College Center for Social Innovation, she worked to build the evidence-base for social innovation and promote the capacity of social sector agencies. Dr. Cosner also co-leads the Grand Challenge for Social Work, Harnessing Technology for Social Good, designed to integrate technology into social work teaching, research, and practice. 

Dr. Cosner graduated cum laude from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, earned her M.S. from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. from the School of Social Welfare at the University of California, Berkeley.

Publications

Her most recent book was published by Oxford University Press, Innovation From Within: Redefining How Nonprofits Solve Problems (2018). Dr. Cosner graduated cum laude from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, earned her MSW from Columbia University, and a PhD from the School of Social Welfare at the University of California, Berkeley.