After years of service to the Simmons University social work community, Kim Kelly Harriman announced her departure from the school in September 2018. Kim performed extraordinarily well in many roles over the past 12 years, including: Adjunct Instructor, Field Liaison, Associate Professor of Practice, Coordinator of the Academic Services Center, and most recently as the Director of Field Education and Student Affairs. Since 2014, Kim has been Editor-in-Chief of the Field Educator, and we are delighted that she will continue in that position as she transitions from academia to direct clinical practice at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Kim’s thoughtful editorials will continue to provide us opportunities to reflect on the current, complex issues happening within our communities, and their impact on all of us, particularly in the work of our students in the field.
Kim brought a student-centered, collaborative spirit to her work as Director of Field Education at Simmons. She understood the complexity, demands, and joys of what it means to teach, coach, and mentor within the landscape of field education. This understanding was complimented by her life experience, practice wisdom, and genuine curiosity in improving the quality and scope of our students’ field placement experiences. Whether through writing and supporting grants and initiatives that would benefit students and populations alike, building capacity and relationships with new community partners, or offering a kind, listening ear, Kim’s contributions have been indispensable to field education in general and the Simmons community at large. Her leadership and warm disposition will be greatly missed.
We wish Kim the best of luck and happiness as she answers the call to work with cancer patients and their families, a true personal and professional passion.