Leading Through Change—Together

Dear Emersonians,

Summer greetings from Boston!

Since we each arrived at Emerson, we have often heard a familiar and powerful refrain from our students, faculty, staff, and alumni: “Emerson is the place where I found my people, my place, and my voice.”

As proud Emersonians, we feel that too. This is a home for passionate students and scholars, accomplished professionals, bold artists, and visionary communicators. It is a special place filled with exceptional people, and during these uncertain times, we must come together to protect our institution and secure our shared future.

During this time of significant change and uncertainty in higher education, we have spent the summer moving quickly to prepare for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Our work has been informed by Emerson’s shared values and guided by the unique qualities that make Emerson extraordinary.

Across the landscape of higher education, we are confronting changes unlike anything we’ve seen before. Shifting demographics and enrollment trends, rising financial pressures, threats to academic independence, and changes to student aid and international student access are all converging in ways we cannot ignore.

This uncertainty requires us to act with boldness and conviction. Fortunately, we are better prepared than most. Extraordinary Emerson 2030, the strategic plan we adopted earlier this year, serves as our clear and comprehensive roadmap. Now more than ever, it is essential that we champion the power and potential of the arts and communication to bring people together for the betterment of humanity.

The first priority of our strategic plan is “Academic Innovation to Shape the Future of Arts and Communication.” Today, we’re sharing several enhancements to our academic structure and programs, which reflect not only where we’re going but also how our talented community will lead the way forward.

With these initiatives, we build on our core strengths and key areas of growth, while carefully managing our resources. In so doing, we are strategically aligning our institution with our vision to be a global educational leader in communication and the arts.

We thank the many faculty, staff, students, alumni, and administrators who have been engaging with us and with each other on how to best position Emerson for future success.

Sharpening our Academic Focus

On September 1, 2025, the Department of Visual and Media Arts (VMA) will officially become the School of Film, Television, and Media Arts. This is an overdue recognition of our largest academic program that has long shaped global storytelling and produced some of the most talented creators and professionals in the industry. This new school marks the first significant step in aligning the College with our strategic plan and elevating what we do best. Shaun Clarke, who has led VMA with excellence and vision, will serve as Interim Dean.

Emerson is world-renowned for its hands-on learning in preparing students for professional and creative careers. Our new School of Film, Television, and Media Arts builds on this commitment with access to cutting-edge equipment, virtual production studios, ARRI certification, courses grounded in emerging technologies, and a world-class faculty of creators and experts.  We will continue preparing our students to thrive in an evolving media landscape, all grounded in the power of storytelling.

As VMA departs the School of the Arts, the Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies will join that School, alongside our strong programs in Writing, Literature, and Publishing, and Performing Arts. Bringing these three units together will help manage resources while increasing interdisciplinarity and helping synergize Emerson’s core offerings. Jan Roberts-Breslin will serve as the Interim Dean of the School of the Arts, and Amy Ansell will continue to lead the Institute, also serving in an advisory role to the Provost to help oversee these transitions.

The School of Communication will be led by Interim Dean Paul Mihailidis, who will collaborate closely with the Chairs and faculty to support and strengthen Emerson’s academic programs across communication disciplines, while exploring new, innovative additions to the curriculum. Emerson’s work and commitment to civil discourse and thoughtful dialogue are now more important than ever.

With campuses in Boston, Los Angeles, and the Netherlands, and our worldwide programs and partnerships stewarded by Vice Provost Tony Pinder, Emerson is strategically positioned at the heart of the domestic and global creative economies. The inaugural Dean of our Emerson Los Angeles Campus will help strengthen the alignment between our academic programs in Boston and LA, increasing our engagement, influence, and impact in Hollywood and beyond. 

Supporting Academic Innovations

Aligned with our strategic plan and priorities, we are developing and expanding these academic innovations to support faculty and staff and enrich the student experience:

• Careers Initiative, led by Provost Socarides and Associate Provost Maria Koundoura, will coordinate and advance our student career preparedness, focusing on integrating career competencies throughout the student experience and addressing career opportunities influenced and disrupted by changing technologies.

• Emerson Executive Education, led by Associate Vice President Brent Smith, will develop and launch educational opportunities for arts and communication professionals across the globe, generating new sources of revenue for the College.

• Emerging Media and Creative Technology, led by Professor Russ Newman, will advance capacity and education in cutting-edge technologies through collaborations, skill development, improving our programs and infrastructure, and expert engagement.

• Emerson College Master Classes, coordinated by Associate Provost Koundoura and Vice Presidents Jon Derek Croteau and Allison Dawson, will bring our talented alumni and partners back to our campuses to enhance student learning, mentorship, and professional opportunities.

• The Research Hub, led by Professor Ruth Grossman, will foster a culture of Emerson faculty research through increased collaboration and streamlined resources.

• Office of Academic Strategy & Analytics (ASA), led by Assistant Vice President Phedra Hamilton-Reyna, will provide data-driven academic program analysis, streamline key processes, and promote best practices in support of Emerson’s academic goals.

As the year progresses, we will convene workgroups and workshops to consider the details associated with these academic innovations. Together, we will discuss program and unit names, areas of specialization and focus, and ways to ensure these programs thrive within the new structure and our available resources. As Dean of Faculty and Associate Provost, Brooke Knight will provide the support and instructional resources necessary for faculty to excel and innovate. We appreciate and encourage your engagement and creativity to maintain momentum on these important and exciting changes.

Next Steps

Today’s announcements are just the first of many steps in our commitment to secure Emerson’s future while maintaining operational excellence and financial sustainability. Over the next few weeks, we will share more information about other changes and innovations, including carefully considered and prudent financial management decisions that respond to the mounting pressures on higher education. Although some of these issues will be challenging, we remain guided by our mission, vision, and shared values, which are rooted in creativity, innovation, inclusion, curiosity, equity, expression, and collaboration.

Every day, as Emersonians, we champion the power and potential of the arts and communication to enrich lives, build connections, strengthen relationships, influence culture, and advance society. We remain strongly optimistic about our future because we share an unwavering belief that our work here matters.

Thank you for your resilience and your ongoing faith in our institution, where each and every Emersonian can find their people, their place, and their voice.

Sincerely yours,

Jay Bernhardt
President

Alexandra Socarides
Provost