Please welcome Judson Alumnus Roger Simmons to Judson as the new Director of Diversity and Spiritual Development. He is the President/COO of Crossinculture, a consulting firm with extensive experience in providing cultural competency training for organizations desiring to enhance their cultural awareness levels. Roger also is an adjunct professor at Judson University and provides instruction to students in the area of cultural diversity. Roger has worked directly with public schools in managing cultural diversity and has provided training in cultural awareness for several non-profit organizations in the Elgin area.
He has developed and executed strategies to connect local religious entities and nonprofit organizations desiring to serve diverse communities. Roger has also built and led multicultural and multiracial community alliances between many organizations throughout Fox Valley. He has planned and executed programs to engage the public and volunteers for under-resourced communities in Aurora and Elgin.
Roger has built coalitions and collaborations across nonprofit, religious, and educational sectors. He has mobilized volunteers in the community to engage and expand the number of Spanish-speaking advocates for a social justice agency. He has also organized round table discussions at Judson University and Wheaton College.
Roger earned his bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies at Judson in 1994 and his master’s of Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College in 2016.
In his new role as Judson’s Director of Diversity and Spiritual Development, Roger will assist faculty and academic support staff shape an inclusive educational experience that will prepare and empower Judson graduates for life. He will support faculty as they create culturally responsive curriculum both inside and outside of the classroom. Roger also will work with the University community to develop programs, policies, and practices that promote an institutional culture of diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence.