A.J. Simmons

An everlasting learner, A.J. Simmons earned a Master of Arts in Community Psychology at UNC Charlotte following the attainment of Bachelors degrees in both Psychology and Sociology from Virginia Tech, and now serves as the Senior Associate Director of First Year and Transition Programs. In this capacity, A.J. supports the program managers for UTOP, FIT, and 49er1st in addition to larger university-wide projects. Furthermore, A.J. co-coordinates the Community Resource Unit to provide Charlotte community orientation and civically-engaged internships to incoming UNC Charlotte students.

A.J. is also deeply involved in the greater Charlotte community as a volunteer with The Males Place, Inc., Rosa Parks Famer’s Market and West Boulevard Urban Farm and other initiatives in the food sovereignty movement. As a consultant, with All Means Consulting, LLC, A.J. strives to co-create solutions with community partners to address inequities. It is his aim to utilize the principles of community-building to empower individuals, strengthen community bonds, and change the systems that obstruct the well-being of individuals and communities.