Dr. Denise R. Simmons is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering in the College of Engineering. She is a leader in research investigating professional formation of civil engineers, with a specific focus on project managers and the practical strategies that transform and sustain inclusive and productive organizations. She currently oversees the Simmons Research Lab (www.denisersimmons.com), which is home to a dynamic, interdisciplinary mix of graduate researchers and postdoctoral researchers working at the intersection of construction engineering and management, workforce development, and CE education. The SRL is supported by multiple research grants, including a CAREER award, funded by the National Science Foundation.  

In 2019, she was inducted into the Thomas Green Clemson Academy and was the recipient of Clemson University’s Glenn Department of Civil Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. Simmons is a former project director of the Summer Transportation Institute (STI) at South Carolina State University and Savannah River Environmental Sciences Field Station (SRESFS). Both programs were aimed at recruiting, retaining and training women and minorities in transportation, environmental science and engineering, and natural resources-related fields of study. 

Dr. Simmons also taught a CURE course for second semester freshmen in our University Research Scholars Program.  This class allowed students to learn about leadership development in engineering on a project titled: Effective Implementation of Visualization Technology in Construction Safety Training. 

Thank you for your contributions in undergraduate research!