Leadership Team Update: New Vice President of Enrollment Management

Dear Emerson community,

I am excited to announce that following a national search, Dr. Matthew Boyce, the current Vice President of Enrollment at the University of Puget Sound, has accepted my offer to serve as Emerson’s next permanent Vice President of Enrollment Management, effective July 15, 2024.

As Vice President of Enrollment Management, Matt will recruit and support creative, diverse, talented undergraduate and graduate students worldwide. He will also be a critical member of the President’s Council, advising us on student recruitment, enrollment, financial aid, and Emerson’s positioning in a rapidly evolving marketplace. He will lead a dedicated team of professionals and work with campus partners to support and enhance our students’ success and experience. 

“I believe in the transformative power of higher education, and I believe each student has a right to that opportunity. I have long admired Emerson for its powerful arts and communication programs coupled with a strong liberal arts foundation, and I’m excited to be able to utilize my skills as a collaborative leader to help the College meet and exceed our ambitious goals for the future,” said Boyce.

Matt oversees admissions, student financial services, and enrollment marketing at the University of Puget Sound. As head of the university’s enrollment efforts, he develops strategies to recruit a diverse and talented student body, and as chief retention officer, he oversees student support from their first inquiry through graduation. He also serves on Puget Sound’s President’s Cabinet and Student Success Executive Team.

Before Puget Sound, Matt was Executive Director of Enrollment Management at George Mason University, where he oversaw the university’s comprehensive strategic enrollment growth plan and led comprehensive student decision support focusing on enrollment analytics, centralized, one-stop service functions, and enrollment-focused research. He previously served as Director of Enrollment, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Senior Associate Director of Admissions, and Associate Director of K-12 Partnerships. 

Matt holds a Ph.D. in Education with a concentration in higher education from George Mason, an M.Ed. in School Counseling from Boston University, and a BA from Villanova University, where he majored in Psychology and Philosophy. His research focuses on the impact of admissions practices on underrepresented student populations and holistic application review. He has presented at numerous professional conferences on enrollment leadership through data management and building data culture.

I’d like to personally thank Interim Vice President of Enrollment Management Justin Sharifipour, who has skillfully led the division through 18 months of transition, helping the College with its enrollment and retention goals. Justin has been an instrumental member of the college leadership team, and he will continue to help lead enrollment, data, and analytics work for the College. I also thank the Search Committee, led by Interim Provost Jan Roberts-Breslin with support from search firm NES, for their excellent work.

Please join me in congratulating Matt on his appointment, welcoming him to the Emerson community, and thanking Justin for his outstanding leadership and service.

Sincerely,

Jay M. Bernhardt
President