Announcement: Enrollment Management Leadership

Dear members of the Emerson community:

I am writing to share the bittersweet news that Vice President of Enrollment Management Ruthanne Madsen will resign her position in November to accept the position of Vice President of Enrollment Management at Babson College in Wellesley, MA.

Ruthanne has led the Enrollment Management division since May 2015, when she was named to the role following a national search. Previously she held the role of Emerson’s interim Vice President and before that Associate Vice President for Enrollment and Student Financial Services for three and a half years. She had also served in leadership positions at the University of Central Florida and Stetson University before her arrival at Emerson. Most recently, she served in the role of Emerson’s interim supervisor of the Social Justice Center from July 2021 to August 2022.

In all, Ruthanne supervised eight departments including Undergraduate Admission, Graduate Admission, Enrollment Technology, Enrollment Data and Analytics, Enrollment Marketing, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and Student Success.

During her tenure at Emerson, the College has seen record breaking applications and enrollment, has consistently risen in national rankings, and has increased efforts to diversify our applicant pool and, ultimately, our student body, as well as adding dedicated scholarships and support, all under Ruthanne’s leadership.

In addition, Ruthanne worked collaboratively to enhance Emerson’s global footprint to launch several international initiatives including the BFA in Film Art partnering with the Paris College of Art and the Global BA in International and Political Communication with Franklin University Switzerland. 

She helped to develop several new domestic programs including the Business of Creative Enterprises BA, the new Health and Social Change BA and Media Psychology BS.

Ruthanne’s deep commitment to students, combined with her dedication to Emerson’s success will be felt at our institution for years to come. Her team will continue to work toward our ambitious goals for enrollment and student success.

We will announce our plans for the leadership of the Enrollment Management division in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, please join me in congratulating Ruthanne on her new endeavor and thanking her for her leadership and devotion to the College, its people, and its students.

Sincerely,
William P Gilligan
Interim President