Student Leader, WLP Professor Honored for Spirit, Kindness 

Meng-Hsuan (Amber) Ho, a graduate student and leader in Emerson’s Taiwanese student community, is the winner of this year’s Tom Cooper Spirit of Emerson Award, while the Robert Colby Kindness Award goes to Writing, Literature and Publishing Assistant Professor Amber Lee.

The Spirit of Emerson Award is presented to individuals or groups within the Emerson community who meet at least three of 10 criteria, including building morale, making Emerson a better place, or working to advance inclusiveness. The Kindness Award celebrates those who demonstrate universal kindness, and/or those whose kindness goes above and beyond what is expected of them in their role.

Ho, a graduate student in the Strategic Marketing Communication program, founded the Emerson Taiwanese Student Association and revitalized the Taiwanese Emerson alumni Facebook group in an effort to maintain engagement within the community. As a volunteer for the Taiwan Film Festival of Boston, she used her strategic marketing background to increase the festival’s digital viewership by 263 percent.

“At Emerson, I’ve learned to actively build belonging by using my voice and creating space for others, even when that voice carries an accent,” Ho said.

Ho has facilitated important discussions within Asian Students in Alliance (ASIA), and advocates for how Asian women are represented in the media and professional world. The recipient of a Publicly Active Graduate Education (PAGE) Fellowship through Imagining America, she contributed insights on fandom, media participation, and identity, and used her marketing skills to engage audiences through storytelling. 

“Coming to the U.S. from Taiwan in my 30s, I once questioned whether this decision would be worth it. The Tom Cooper Spirit of Emerson Award is a reminder that it’s never too late to speak up, take risks, and build the place where you belong,” Ho said. 

The Robert Colby Kindness Award

Amber Lee, who teaches Teaching College Composition and Topics U.S. Multicultural Literature: Censorship, Fear, Power: Reading and Writing with Banned Books, was nominated as “an extraordinary educator who goes above and beyond,” ensuring that every student feels included and welcome. 

She plays upbeat music and brings in baked goods to class to create a cheerful, safe environment. “She checks in individually with each student to make sure they understand the content,” one nominator wrote. 

“I am deeply honored and humbled to be part of Robert Colby’s legacy through this award,” Lee said. “To me, it reflects a commitment toward extending the same kindness, support, and sense of community that Emerson has shown me, and to carrying that spirit forward. I am grateful to be surrounded by such inspiring students and colleagues who make Emerson a place where kindness, generosity, and encouragement are paramount to our community.”