Update: Presidential Search Relaunch

Dear members of the Emerson community,

I am pleased to report to the community that the Board of Trustees has relaunched the search for Emerson College’s next president, with the engagement of the consultant firm SpencerStuart, which will lead a newly refined and refocused effort.

SpencerStuart, one of the world’s leading global executive search and leadership consulting firms with higher education and non-profit experience, will begin its work this summer to develop a diverse pool of traditional and nontraditional candidates.

The distinct nature of an Emerson education, combined with the myriad challenges facing all higher education today require that we identify a leader with the vision and capacity to maximize all opportunities related to the success of our students. The demand for an Emerson education has never been stronger and our community — faculty, staff, students, and administration — has never been more vibrant, diverse, and effective. Together with our next president, we will guide Emerson to future decades of growth and success in the execution of our mission.

A newly constituted search committee will be announced soon and will leverage the insights gained in the first round of the search with the original group to further refine the criteria, characteristics, and experiences required of a new president.

As chair of this new committee, I will ensure that the community will have additional opportunities for input into the new search, as well as receive regular community updates on our progress.

As the search moves ahead, Emerson will be led by Interim President Dr. William Gilligan, who will serve in this capacity through June 2023. A Professor Emeritus and former long-time vice president, he will continue to provide Emerson with leadership, stability, and continuity. He will work with the Board of Trustees over the next 12 months to set the priorities for the College, lay the groundwork for a new president, and ensure forward momentum for the institution.

Sincerely,
Eric Alexander
Chair, Presidential Search Committee Chair and Chair, Board of Trustees