About SMF | Simmons Memorial Foundation

Founded in the summer of 1996, the Simmons Memorial Foundation was created in honor of Cynthia T. Simmons and Nathaniel P. Simmons III whose family established the foundation in order to provide a living testament to the lives of these two exemplary individuals. SMF partners with existing organizations (e.g., enrichment programs, schools, etc.) to deliver its services to students in Southern Delaware and beyond. One of SMF’s most successful programs has been its college mentoring program that utilizes volunteer graduate students and young professionals from the nation’s top universities to share strategies of success with youth. Since its inception, SMF has established a track record of excellence. Students once reluctant to apply to out-of-state and selective colleges are now being admitted to and attending some of the most prestigious colleges in the nation.

Cynthia T. Simmons

1945-1995

Cynthia T. Simmons, a career elementary science teacher, dedicated her life to the development of youth. As an educator in the rural town of Milton, Delaware, Mrs. Simmons inspired her students to develop their potential and instilled in them an appreciation of the natural environment. Mrs. Simmons believed that her teaching responsibilities extended beyond the classroom to the rural community at large. Her efforts sought to improve the quality of life for all children.

Nathaniel P. Simmons III

1971-1995

Nathaniel P. Simmons, III, the oldest son of Cynthia T. Simmons, at an early age was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure. Despite life threatening illness, Nathaniel strove to attain his goal of receiving a college education. With poor health and a failed kidney transplant, Nate, through determination and family support, reached his goal in August of 1995 receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Labor & Industrial Relations from Pennsylvania State University.

Nathaniel and Cynthia Simmons were ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Their inspiration gives the Simmons Memorial Foundation its grass roots emphasis.

“We’re lifting others on our shoulders, giving them the chance to climb over a fence to face brighter possibilities and educational opportunities.’ We do this, recognizing that we may never get over the fence and actually see what is on the other side. For example, I may never go to Harvard or Yale, find a cure for cancer or be president, but I know these students can. Ultimately, we must challenge them to be their best and fulfill their potential even when they don’t see it. Our satisfaction comes from knowing that students have traveled farther and benefited from the assistance we offer.”

CDR Nathaniel P. Simmons, Jr. (USN Retired)

SMF Co-Founder, Businessman, Naval Officer, Philanthropist

1946-2013

SIMMONS MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

Our Purpose

Too many talented students fail to attend college, self-select out of admissions for top colleges, or have limited success rates at four-year institutions. Even more tragic is that these students’ capacities remain underestimated, unnoticed, or underdeveloped.

According to the National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), the ratio of students to counselors in U.S. high schools is approximately 480 to 1.

Too many selective colleges fail to deliver on the promise of higher education to all qualified students. In the current political and economic environment, outreach programs and focused efforts to promote higher education has receded. Targeted intervention, however, remains necessary and valuable. The decision whether and where to go to college is a quality-of-life decision.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), 14 million students are in schools with police but no counselor, nurse, psychologist, or social worker.

SMF promotes a culture of high expectations in conjunction with academic enrichment to bridge the expectations and achievement gap in higher education. We place significant value on the development process rather than an exclusively result-based approach. We communicate to students that their life experiences are valuable and they possess perspectives that will enrich their chosen college environments, careers, and communities.

For three decades, SMF programs have prepared students for college admission and nurtured habits of mind essential for high achievement in complex learning communities. As a result, students who once had few college options are now offered admission and matriculate at some of the most selective colleges and universities in the nation. Through the prism of higher education, SMF empowers young people toward greater self-determination.

Help SMF prepare the younger generation for leadership and civic engagement. Thank you for your commitment to “developing potential on the periphery!”

Board of Advisors

Executive Director

Omari Scott Simmons

Lyle T. Alverson Professor of Law, The George Washington Law School, Washington, D.C.

SMF Advisory Board

Kwasi Asare

Vice President, New Relic, Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Area, NC

Brian Bell

Vice President, Strategy & Planning, Church & Dwight Co., New York City Metropolitan Area

Pernell Brice III

Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, Children's Health Fund, New York City Metropolitan Area

Ida Turner Davis

Director of Academic Support, Salem College, Winston-Salem, NC

Timothy Davis

Bess and Walter Williams Professor of Law, Wake Forest University School of Law, Winston-Salem, NC

Allyson Diljohn

Director of College Counseling, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

Irvin "Dee" Drummond

General Counsel & Secretary, TekSystems, Baltimore, MD

Rafael Grillo

Attorney, Morrison & Forrester, San Francisco, CA

Damon T. Hewitt

Executive Director, Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Washington, D.C.

Alan-Michael Hill

Managing Partner, Obsidian Capital Partners, Atlanta, GA

Dr. Cheryl Leggon, Ph.D.

Associate Professor (retired), Georgia Institute of Technology. Atlanta, GA

Dr. Willie Pearson, Ph.D.

Regents Professor (retired), Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

Dr. Kathryn Riley, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA

Charli Tabler

Attorney Advisor, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C.

Paige Woods

Project Manager, Denkyem Coop, Seattle, Washington

SIMMONS MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

Our Partners

Our partnering institutions are vital to our success. If you are a high school, college, university, or civic organization who wishes to help deliver the promise of higher education, we can help. Please contact us at smfnonprofit@gmail.com and let’s talk about how we might be able to visit your location or host a visit by you to speak with our participants.

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