Leadership Transition

Dear Emerson community,

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Brent Smith, Dean of the School of Communication and an expert in marketing, strategy, analytics, and business education, has accepted the position of Associate Vice President for Executive Education, effective July 1, 2025. 

A nimble and innovative Executive Education program is a key initiative of Extraordinary Emerson 2030, Emerson’s recently released strategic plan. Building on the strong foundation of our existing Professional Studies offerings, this division will offer non-credit courses and credentials to professionals looking to increase expertise in defined skills and advance in their careers. Taught by existing faculty, accomplished alumni, and other high-achieving professionals, our Executive Education courses will introduce Emerson’s expertise and brand to a wider market, bolstering the College’s financial health for years to come.

As Associate Vice President, Dr. Smith will collaborate with colleagues within the College, as well as partners from various industries, to identify, develop, and administer quality, in-demand executive courses and certificates. The program, scheduled to launch in Spring 2026, will build on the talent and experience of the Emerson community while enhancing the reputation and influence of the College.

“Several years ago, I embarked upon my journey with Emerson, finding it to be an institution and a community with extraordinary potential. In this new role,” Dr. Smith explains, “I hope to help us reveal and realize the full value of that potential.”

In the coming weeks we will appoint an Interim Dean to serve for 2025-26, while the College launches a search for a permanent Dean. School of Communication faculty and staff are invited to share desired qualities for the Interim Dean as well as possible candidates to serve in this role by emailing me (alexandra.socarides@emerson.edu) no later than Thursday, April 17.

Dr. Smith has led the School of Communication since April 2023, and previously held the post on an Interim basis for 10 months after serving as Department Chair for Marketing Communication for nearly three years. During his time as Dean, he has proved to be a transformational servant leader. 

Working with department chairs, faculty, staff, students, and alumni, he has strengthened the School’s academic programs, resilience, and sense of community. In a short time, he successfully centered the importance of gathering through hosting monthly lunches, sponsoring faculty and students at the SXSW festival, and renovating key learning spaces for improved faculty and student experiences, among other initiatives. Dr. Smith has remained an active scholar, publishing peer reviewed scholarly articles and welcoming junior faculty as co-authors. He has fostered an entrepreneurial climate in the School of Communication, which has given rise to several faculty-sourced ideas, such as the Teach-In on Sustainability, the SOC Fall Writing Retreat, and the BCE Block Party. These initiatives aimed to create stronger connections between the School, the broader Emerson community, and the wider world.

With his expertise in business and in developing undergraduate, graduate, executive, and online curriculum; his experience in creating academic programs; his scholarship on marketing, ethics, and education; and his demonstrated collaborative leadership, Dr. Smith is well poised to lead this exciting new initiative.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Smith on this exciting and well-deserved appointment.

Sincerely,
Alexandra Socarides
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs