Convocation: Fifteen Tips for New Emersonians

The Class of 2028 gathered together in one room for the first time on Wednesday, Aug. 28, at the Cutler Majestic Theatre, and were welcomed to Emerson College by Grooversity, the drum corps that ushers graduating students into the world at Commencement each year, and College leaders at the fall Convocation.

“Whatever path you took to get here, whatever path you pursue in your studies, Emerson will support you all along the way,” President Jay Bernhardt told the first-year and transfer students assembled in the Cutler Majestic Theatre. “Our job is to help you hone your talents, realize your full potential, and prepare you live and thrive in this complex, and dare I say ever-changing world. And that means helping prepare you for what you’ve imagined your future will bring, and giving you the tools that you’ll need to help you prepare for the futures that we just can’t really even imagine.”

Each speaker began dispensing some of those tools in the form of advice to the new Emersonians. Here are 15 tips and suggestions from the president, provost, vice presidents, deans, and a student leader.

Be ‘Deeply Curious’

“For those of you who have come here thinking you know exactly what you want to do, be curious about the thing you learn about that is just off to the side of your interests, but attracts your attention nonetheless. And if you have arrived somewhat undecided about your interests, or maybe just full of so many interests, then run them all down.” – Provost Alex Socarides

Be Kind

“[Be] truly kind, not just nice to someone’s face, but genuinely, deeply kind. If you see someone sitting alone or looking a little lost, try to include them. Think back to the time when you felt different or uncomfortable. Remember how much it meant to you if someone had reached out, or how much it would have meant to you. Be that person.” – Interim Vice President and Dean for Campus Life Christie Anglade

Ask for Help

“Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help or support in any way that you may need because that is our Emerson way. Emersonians are firmly committed to cultivating an inclusive, supportive community that welcomes all people, perspectives, and passions, and that community extends far beyond our campus. We have a network of more than 51,000 alums – the self-declared Emerson Mafia – who are here to have our backs and help us as we seek our way out in the world. An Emersonian will always be able and willing to help a fellow Emersonian.” – President Jay Bernhardt

Find Your People

“Find your people and find your community. And if you can’t find it, make it. …. Find the people that truly value you for who you are, and if you truly care about what you do, you’ll automatically attract the right people.” – SGA President Nandan Nair ‘26

Find ‘Not Your People’

“Find those who share your passions and interests, but also seek out people who challenge you, who see the world differently. They might teach you something that shifts your perspective, or even changes your life.” – Christie Anglade

Assume Commonalities

“Assume everyone you meet today and over the coming weeks and over your entire time at Emerson may be someone that you share more in common with than you think, and then strike up a conversation.” – School of the Arts Dean Kate Eichhorn

Embrace the Awkward

“You are going to have some super awkward moments. Maybe you’ll answer a question in class with a lot of confidence, only to realize you completely misunderstood the question. Maybe you’ll sit in a class for 20 minutes before you realize that you are not only in the wrong room, but in the wrong building. Those moments will become a story that you’ll laugh about later.” – Christie Anglade

‘Learn About Ways of Knowing’  

“Keep your mind engaged in conversation, meeting people in different ways. Allow them some grace and allow yourself some grace to make the most of that possibility. To learn about ways of knowing. Also make space for other people to maybe educate you, maybe disarm yourself with questions and live with curiosity.” – School of Communication Dean Brent Smith

Wield the Awesome Power of the Liberal Arts

“The undergraduate college experience is a place to explore, play, take risks, to challenge yourself, invent and reinvent yourselves, to come into contact with new ideas, approaches, and fields of study that have the power to profoundly affect who you are and where you’re going. This is the great power of a well-rounded liberal education. Make the most of it as you create an undergraduate program that works best for you.” – Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies Dean Amy Ansell

Scare Yourself

“Take the class you wouldn’t have expected yourself to take. Sign up to be involved in the org that you have always wondered about. Talk to strangers in your classes and in the dining hall, and in the library. Do something that scares you or that feels out of character, because you are just at the beginning. Emerson is here to help you take risks and to think boldly.” – Alex Socarides

Recognize Our Shared Struggle

“It might be a bit sobering to understand, but you will have a positive impact in the world and a negative impact in the world. [W]ith our guidance, with our support of you, we aim to help you learn how to maximize your positive impact in the world and minimize your negative impact in the world. Understanding that you will have both, that allows you to have some grace with yourself, but also with others. This, indeed, is part of what all storytellers, all communicators, all artists share in common. We all have a struggle, so we all offer something that might help someone else through their own struggle in our shared struggle.” -Brent Smith

Own Mistakes, Celebrate Wins

“You are going to make mistakes and that is something that is inevitable. Own ’em, learn from ’em, and keep moving forward. And when you succeed, celebrate it. Every achievement matter, how big or small, is worth acknowledging.” – Christie Anglade

Choose to Grow

“Take ownership of your experience. While you cannot control everything that happens, you always have the power to choose how you respond. You can decide to keep trying when things are tough, you can decide to learn from every challenge, and to grow approach each day with a positive attitude.” – Christie Anglade

‘Dance in the Rain’

“Don’t feel limited to who you were in high school. Explore, try new things, and learn to adapt to your surroundings. To quote Gordon Ramsey, ‘Never fear a storm. Learn to dance in the rain.’” – Nandan Nair ‘26

Relish the Journey

“In many ways, your Emerson education can be so much more to you than a means to an end because the journey, the time you’ll spend here, is just as important as the destination, and we all hope that you’ll make the most of it.” – President Jay Bernhardt