Welcoming New Campus Life Staff

With great pleasure, we share the news that Brandin Dear will join us as associate dean of Campus Life and director of Counseling, Health & Wellness. 

Brandin has most recently served as clinical coordinator for Harvard University Health Services. Prior to that post, Brandin was a counselor and interim director of the counseling center at Berklee College of Music. Brandin brings a strong history of providing service to students and leadership in helping college communities build holistic and inclusive health and wellbeing programs. In particular, Brandin has focused on reducing barriers to accessing health care faced by students of color, low-income, first-generation, and LGBTIQ populations. He is a frequent presenter, trainer, and facilitator on the campuses he has served. 

At Emerson, Brandin will lead the integration of the current Emerson Counseling and Psychological Services and the Center for Health and Wellness. Over time, this new area will offer a greater range of services and support for students, as well as provide greater leadership and coordination for health, wellness, and wellbeing for the entire college community.

Brandin received a bachelors in Philosophy from Mount Holyoke College, and an MSW from the Smith College School for Social Work. He currently resides in Melrose, Massachusetts with his wife and young daughter. Brandin’s first day at Emerson will be February 1. His office will be located in the Campus Life suite on the fourth floor of the Walker Building.  Please join us in warmly welcoming Brandin to the Emerson community.

In addition, as part of the reorganization of this area, we are pleased to announce that Kyle Rundles, currently a member of the ECAPS staff, has accepted the role of associate director for ECAPS.  Reporting to Brandin,  Kyle will serve as the lead for counseling services at the College.  Kyle is in her seventh year at Emerson, and will bring a welcome perspective to the new leadership team for Counseling, Health & Wellness.

A hearty thank you to everyone who assisted in the associate dean and associate director selection processes. We are looking forward to the work ahead of us, and continuing to create an environment focused on health and wellbeing.

Take care,
Jim Hoppe
Vice President and Dean of Campus Life