J. Nicole Simpson

Distinguished Alumni Award Profile

Dr. Jeanni Nicole Simpson ’05

Bachelor of Arts – Communication

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2026 Outstanding Alumni Award

About Distinguished Alumni Awards

The UW-Parkside Distinguished Alumni Awards celebrate and honor the rich legacy of learning and accomplishments by those graduates who have excelled in their chosen field or performed exemplary service to our community.

Dr. J. Nicole Simpson is a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, consultant, entrepreneur, educator, author, speaker and podcast host whose career sits at the intersection of clinical excellence, community impact, and faith-integrated healing.

A first-generation college graduate from Racine, Wisconsin, Dr. Simpson earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Certificate in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from the University of Wisconsin–Parkside in 2005. She went on to complete a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Arkansas, a Master of Social Work from Howard University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work, also from Howard University, in December 2023. While completing her graduate studies, she was selected as a White House intern in the Office of Presidential Correspondence under President Barack Obama’s Administration.

Dr. Simpson is the founder and Clinical Director of Evolve Therapy and Wellness LLC, a telehealth mental health practice providing trauma-informed, holistic care serving clients in Maryland, Virginia, and Wisconsin. She serves as a Behavioral Health Consultant for the Opioid Response Network, a SAMHSA-funded federal initiative, covering HHS Region 3 across six states and the District of Columbia. She is an Adjunct Lecturer at Howard University School of Social Work, Lead Consultant for the
Peer Case Management Institute, and the Creator, Host, and Executive Producer of the Rise and Thrive with Dr. J. Nicole podcast. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Grounded in her faith and a deep belief in the resilience of the human spirit, Dr. Simpson approaches every aspect of her work with compassion, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to helping people heal and thrive. She is deeply honored to receive the 2026 Outstanding Alumni Award and to return home to the campus that helped shape who she is and who she was always becoming.