Lamont Simmons

Dr. Lamont Simmons has served as a contributing faculty member at Walden University since February 2024. He holds an EdD in Higher and Adult Education Leadership from the University of Memphis and an MSW from Aurora University. He has taught across the BSW curriculum, MSW courses in diversity, policy, research, and case integration, and doctoral courses in teaching, learning, and pedagogical development.

His commitment to student development is reflected in his mentorship of independent studies, undergraduate honors theses, and doctoral dissertations. Grounded in equity‑minded practice, Dr. Simmons’s research explores academic persistence among historically underserved social work students, intersections of racial and disability justice, and systemic inequities affecting marginalized communities.

With professional experience in child welfare, community mental health, and school‑based settings, he also contributes to multiple committees and national organizations, including the Council on Social Work Education. Dr. Simmons is dedicated to social justice and to preparing the next generation of social workers and educators.

Courses Taught

SOCW 6002 - Changing Lives, Changing Society: Introduction to Social Work

SOCW 6051 - Diversity, Human Rights, and Social Justice

Education

EdD, University of Memphis

MSW, Aurora University

Awards / Honors

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award, , 2022

Distinguished Teaching Award, , 2019

Outstanding First-Year Advocate Award, , 2018

Outstanding Doctoral Student Award, , 2012

Publications

Simmons, L., Slayter, E. Intersectional antiracist practice with the disability community.

Simmons, L., Slayter, E., Johnson, L. M. (2024). Using an anti-racist, equity-minded lens in assessment of teaching and learning. Social Work Education

Fulcher, S., Simmons, L., Slayter, E. (2023). Identifying and responding to resistance around conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Kattari, S., Yakas, L., Singh, R., Goulden, A., Taylor, S., Wernick, L., Simmons, L., Prince, D. (2022). Beyond ramps, curb cuts, and captions: A call for disability justice in social work.

Elswick, S., Casey, L., Delgado, D., Crutchfield, J. M., Cuellar, M., Seemann, D., Taylor, L., Rudd, L., Simmons, L. (2021). Using a multi-tiered system of supports framework as the foundation for overlaying trauma-informed practices: A pilot study in one urban school district.

Johnson, L., Slayter, E., Simmons, L. (2021). On equity-minded practice as a framework for social workers.

Simmons, L. (2019). Sustaining trajectories: Black males persisting in undergraduate social work education.

Simmons, L. (2019). Beyond matriculation: Examining factors that contribute to African American male persistence at a predominantly White institution.

Simmons, L., Taylor, L., Anderson, K., Neely-Barnes, S. (2018). Comparative experiences of first- and continuing-generation social work students.

Simmons, L., Watson, J., Washington, G., Akinyemi, H. (2017). A comprehensive insight on men healing men and communities’ network (MHMCN).

Simmons, L. (2015). Exploring teacher development through racial discourse [Review of the book Making Meaning of Whiteness, by A. McIntyre].

Simmons, L. (2013). Factors of persistence for African American men in a student support organization.

Presentations

Simmons, L. (2023). Equity, equality, and fairness - A survey analysis of MSW conceptualizations of social justice..

Mirick, R., Simmons, L. (2022). Gatekeeping in BSW programs: Processes, pitfalls, and resources..

Simmons, L. (2022). A case study of persistence among undergraduate Black males in an ethnic-based student organization..

Simmons, L., Slayter, E. (2022). Intersectional anti-racist interventions with the disability community..

Simmons, L. (2021). Systemic racism, COVID-19, and the social determinants of health..

Simmons, L., Harris, J. S. (2021). Understanding MSW student perceptions of social justice in social work education..

Simmons, L., Johnson, L., Slayter, E. (2021). Using an antiracist, equity-minded lens in assessment of teaching and learning..

Simmons, L. (2021). How master of social work students conceptualize social justice in preparing for social change..

Yang, J., Bencomo, B., George-Bettisworth, R., Rouland, R., Simmons, L. (2020). Antiracism: Learning from social work’s history and planning for the future..

Simmons, L. (2020). Facilitating persistence and success among first-generation students in baccalaureate social work education..

Simmons, L. (2020). Voices of Black males: “Hearing” what it takes to persist in college..

Simmons, L. (2019). Through the lenses of Black males: Persisting in undergraduate social work education..

Walbam, K., Mirick, R., Simmons, L., Amato, F. (2019). A case study of early competency-based gatekeeping in BSW education..

Dreschler, K., Howell, T., Suk-hee, K., King, D., Lopez-Humphreys, M., Singh, M., Torres, M., Simmons, L. (2019). Strategies for emphasizing diversity and inclusion in and throughout the MSW curriculum..

Simmons, L. (2019). Examining academic persistence among undergraduate Black male social work students.

Simmons, L. (2018). Students of color building community across campus and ethnic-based student organizations in engendering academic success..

Simmons, L., Anderson, K., Neely-Barnes, S., Taylor, L. (2016). Comparing the experiences of first and continuing generation social work students..

Simmons, L. (2016). Insights into persistence among African American males at a predominantly White institution..

Simmons, L. (2016). Empowered to persist: The impact of “Project Empowerment” on retaining Black males..

Wilson, J., Simmons, L. (2015). From one brother to another: The ins and outs of graduate school..

Simmons, L., Anderson, K., Neely-Barnes, S. (2015). Strategies for promoting academic success among first-generation social work students..