Nancy Fitzsimons

Nancy Fitzsimons is a Professor and MSW Program Director at Minnesota State University, Mankato, within the College of Allied Health and Nursing. Her work centers on social justice, particularly addressing interpersonal and institutional violence against people with disabilities. She teaches courses in social welfare policy, task group practice, and macro-level community practice, while also mentoring students in foundational social work principles.

• Educated at Mankato State University (BSW) and University of Illinois at Chicago (MSW, PhD)
• Leadership roles: Inaugural MSW Program Director (2005–2012), Minnesota Council on Disability Chair (appointed by Governors Dayton and Walz), Arc Minnesota Board of Directors Public Policy co-Chair

Her research focuses on reframing violence and abuse experienced by individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, informed by a 5-year longitudinal study on institutional closures and policy advocacy. In 2022, she received the Distinguished Faculty Scholar award.

• Key awards: Minnesota State University Distinguished Faculty Scholar (2022), UIC Institute on Disability and Human Development Fellowship

Nancy integrates disability diversity into her teaching, emphasizing the NASW Code of Ethics' commitment to vulnerable populations. She actively contributes to disability rights through community service and policy initiatives.