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Home , Charles Playhouse, Cutler Majestic Theatre, Emerson College, Max Mutchnick

President Overview

Located in the heart of ’s District, enjoys international stature as the premier liberal arts institution devoted to communication and the arts. The College’s vision is to educate leading professionals in the arts and communication; to inspire generations of students to think boldly and creatively; and to ensure that all students, faculty, staff, and alumni contribute positively to the cultural, social, political, and civic landscape. Emerson’s academic majors and programs form a deliberate and distinctive commitment to the liberal arts paired with real-world experience in Film; Journalism; Literature; Marketing; Publishing, Television; Theatre; Communication Studies; Communication Sciences and Disorders; Writing; and Comedic Arts, a major that was the first in the country. Underlying and infusing all that the libraries and in workshops, College does are these inspiring, internships, labs, studios, stages, non-negotiable values: and all other collaborative environments • Respect and equal treatment for • Critical and creative thinking that all people of all backgrounds, inspires audiences; elevates the orientations, beliefs, and physical arts and communication; and capabilities advances social justice, global • Appreciation for diverse ideas responsibility, and environmental and the free expression of them sustainability in the College, the • Academic excellence in formal nation, and the world settings such as classrooms and Over the years, the College has evolved from a small school of oratory to a multifaceted higher education institution with campuses in Boston, , and the and degree programs in Boston; Paris; Lugano, Switzerland; and Sydney, Australia. The College has also established partnerships with various international institutions, giving the school a presence in six of the world’s seven continents.

While Emerson remains committed to its historic mission as a specialized academic institution, its curriculum reflects the emergence of interdisciplinary study as a mode for teaching and learning and affirms new directions for the fields of communication, the arts, and the liberal arts. History

Since its founding in 1880, Emerson College has been a force in shaping the ways in which we share ideas, information, art, and stories across society. As forms of storytelling moved from vaudeville theater to radio, from radio to television and film, and to new and digital platforms, Emerson graduates have played pivotal roles throughout this evolution. The College has thrived for 140 years, in large part because of the ability to adapt its original focus on the spoken word to emerging media and technologies.

Watch Our History of Emerson Video

1919 1937 1949 1972 1980

Emerson is one of the nation’s first Emerson is one of the first colleges The College is the first on the Emerson creates a Bachelor of The College initiates a colleges to establish a program in to offer undergraduate courses in eastern seaboard to establish an Fine Arts in film. comprehensive graduate-level children’s theater. broadcasting. educational FM radio station program in professional writing (WERS). and publishing—the first such program in the nation specifically designed to meet the needs of the publishing industry. Emerson Today

The College continues to offer its students Top 10 inspiring and innovative learning experiences in an environment that fosters Regional Universities North connection and collaboration. The College’s (U.S. News & World Report) academic reputation is on the rise nationally Most Innovative Schools and internationally, enabling its programs to (U.S. News & World Report) become increasingly competitive and Undergraduate Teaching selective. Some highlights include: (U.S. News & World Report) American Film Schools (The Reporter) #2 Best College Radio Station (The Princeton Review) #16 Most Entrepreneurial (Forbes) Top 1% Journalism, Communications, and Writing Programs (College Factual) #2 Most Accurate Pollster (FiveThirtyEight) • In 2020, U.S. News & World Report the College ranked highly for Best doubled from 7,500 in 2012 to well over ranked Emerson among the top 10 College Theater (#7), Most Politically 15,000 in 2019, and its acceptance rate schools in the Regional Universities Active (#13), and Most LGBTQ-Friendly dropped from 48 percent to 33 percent. North category for the fifth year in a row, (#17). • Undergraduate students hail from almost all a ranking that has climbed from #14 in • In 2020, Emerson received the NAFSA: 50 states, with the largest fraction of 2012. Association of International Educators/ students from . • U.S. News & World Report also listed Senator Paul Simon Award for • Sixteen percent of new first-time Emerson among the top 10 for Most Comprehensive Internationalization, the undergraduate students enrolled in 2020 Innovative Schools and for highest honor given in the field of global were international. Undergraduate Teaching (Regional education, in recognition of its • In 2016, Moody’s ranked Emerson in the top Universities North). leadership in this area. quartile of revenue-producing universities. • Forbes ranked Emerson as the 16th most • Ploughshares at Emerson College entrepreneurial college in the US. has ranked among the top literary Watch Our Experience Emerson Video • ranked magazines nationally, reaching Emerson in the top 10 on its list of “The over 120,000 readers through online Top 25 American Film Schools.” and print. • College Factual, a ranking and college • Emerson’s applications have more than search company, listed Emerson’s journalism, communication, and writing programs in the top 1 percent of the nation. Emerson’s Performing Arts programs were ranked within the top 18 percent of all drama and theater programs in the nation. • Emerson College Polling—which has grown from a three-student organization in 2012 to a group of more than 400— was named the second most accurate pollster in 2018 by the well-regarded political website FiveThirtyEight. Media outlets, including CNN and MSNBC, and candidates increasingly relied on Emerson Polling during the 2020 election cycle. • The Princeton Review ranked Emerson’s radio station, WERS, as the #2 Best College Radio Station in the country, and Innovating for the Future

• Through its Virtual and Augmented Fellowship—and the only participating Reality Lab, Emerson’s School of the Arts school that is dedicated to arts and offers an array of courses in interactive communication. Through the Voice@ media, game design and production, Emerson initiative, student computer modeling animation, and new entrepreneurs who are interested in and emerging media. voice technology receive mentorship • Emerson’s School of Communication has and support. completely reworked its curricula to • Emerson Contemporary presents the incorporate emerging technologies in all work of artists engaging with new forms of storytelling. technologies. Recent exhibitions have • Emerson is one of just 18 colleges and focused on interactive art, artificial universities selected to participate in intelligence art, public art and Amazon’s inaugural Alexa Innovation performance, and projection mapping. • The Engagement Lab works with partners to co-design solutions to some of society’s most pressing problems, including gaps in civic participation, gender and racial discrimination, lack of media literacies, youth exclusion, and gaps in public health practices. • • Inclusive Excellence and Equity

Since 2012, the College has made a curriculum transformation, research and sustained and focused commitment to creative work, and an infrastructure that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. advances the goal of Inclusive Excellence. Consistent with the launch of the Inclusive Excellence (IE) at Emerson Initiative in 2012, The College’s Social Justice Center (SJC) is a Emerson College remains committed to key leader and contributor to the College’s sustaining a living, learning, and working ongoing equity, diversity, inclusion, environment where all members of the belonging, and social justice efforts. SJC community are valued and can thrive. The works with and supports individuals and College holds a fundamental belief that communities through personal and systems institutional and academic excellence are advocacy, community-centered projects, and not possible without equitable radical care and engages in an ongoing representation and full engagement across practice of praxis—reflection and action. The all areas of the institution. The College Center serves as a vehicle through which advances this work through attention to students, faculty, and staff can deepen their access in enrollment and hiring, campus understanding of complex issues and climate, inclusive pedagogical practices, engage in dialogue and direct action connected to society’s most pressing challenges. The work of the Social Justice Center also includes Access, Equity, & Title IX; the Healing & Advocacy Collective, which provides survivor support and advocacy; and the Elma Lewis Center for Civic Engagement, Learning, and Research. The mission of the Center is to inspire and sustain civic engagement at the College and to uplift individual and community self-determination and work in support of the agency of students, faculty, and staff, especially those from marginalized groups.

This important work is further supported by ArtsEmerson, the professional presenting and producing organization of the Office of the Arts at Emerson College. Founded in 2010 by acclaimed theatrical producer and ArtsEmerson’s first executive director, Robert J. Orchard, ArtsEmerson has been committed to building a cultural institution that reflects the diversity of the city of Boston. Since its inception, ArtsEmerson has operated from the core belief that the arts are for everyone. By “putting the world on stage,” ArtsEmerson quickly established a reputation for presenting outstanding work from around the globe—work that emanates from the language of theater, yet pushes the boundaries between theater, dance, music, and media arts. By bringing diverse programming to neighborhoods all over the city, the organization has become an integral part of Boston’s efforts to transform a bitter history of segregation into a resilient legacy of equity and unity in diversity. Governance

Emerson’s Board of Trustees plays an active and initiatives related to the schools; the and meaningful role in shaping the future student experience; industry outreach and direction of the College. Trustees serve initial engagement; diversity, equity, and inclusion; terms of up to three years and are fundraising; and special projects identified nominated for membership through the by the President. Each Advisor serves to Committee on Trusteeship. The Board is connect Emerson students, alumni, and dedicated to including voices from all faculty to their respective industry. Achieving constituencies, and, therefore, faculty and this goal occurs both during the three students are represented at all meetings annual meetings and through individual through formally appointed Student and activities that occur throughout the year Faculty Representatives. At least one coordinated by the President’s liaisons to the member of the Trustees represents the Board of Advisors. These activities include alumni body as well. Board officers include a participating in Emerson task forces, serving chair, vice-chair(s), treasurer, and secretary. as a guest lecturer, introducing industry The Board of Trustees meets each February leaders to the College, mentoring students, for the annual meeting, and at least two and creating pathways to internship and other regular meetings occur each year. career opportunities for Emerson students During COVID-19, the Board has scheduled and alumni. weekly and then biweekly meetings to best respond to the crisis. Lee Pelton currently serves as the 12th President of Emerson College. A nationally The College also enjoys support from a and internationally known speaker and Board of Advisors. Through the lens of writer on the value of a liberal arts education enabling social and racial equity across all and the importance of leadership aspects of its work, this group assists the development, civic engagement, and President and the Board of Trustees in inclusion in higher education, he came to carrying out their duties to ensure that the Emerson on July 1, 2011, after serving for 13 College sustains and implements sound years as the President of Willamette strategic plans to ensure Emerson’s long- University in Salem, Oregon. term institutional health. Advisors offer advice and recommendations to the President and the Board of Trustees on plans During his tenure, Pelton outlined a bold vision for Emerson as the global hub for arts, communication, and liberal arts. The College has expanded its academic footprint beyond its campuses in Boston, Los Angeles, and the Netherlands by establishing Global Portals on several continents. Emerson’s Global Portals partner with institutions abroad so that students without US passports might matriculate to and graduate from Emerson through a variety of academic programs and disciplines. On the main campus, he established an ambitious plan to redevelop and strengthen Emerson’s sense of place and identity by animating the streetscape in the downtown core in order to inspire, embrace, and celebrate Boston’s emerging diversity.

Emerson’s President is supported by a talented and dedicated group of senior staff. • Vice President for Administration and Reporting positions responsible for the Finance overall governance of the College and the • Vice President for Enrollment success of students include: Management • Vice President for Equity and Social • Associate Vice President for Justice Communications and Marketing • Vice President for Government and • Provost and Vice President for Academic Community Relations Affairs • Vice President for Institutional • Vice President and Dean of Campus Life Advancement • Vice President and Executive Director, • Vice President for the Office of the Arts/ Emerson Los Angeles Executive Director, ArtsEmerson • Vice President and General Counsel • Vice President and Special Assistant to the President Faculty and Staff

The faculty represent the core of Emerson’s Emerson employs more than 600 talented educational experience and typically serve and dedicated staff to support the teaching 450+ as both teachers and professional mentors mission of the College. Of the 600, 160 full-time and part-time to their students. The College employs more non-management employees in Academic faculty than 450 full-time and part-time faculty Affairs, Information Technology, members across three campuses. Faculty Communications and Marketing, and and administration operate in a shared Institutional Advancement are represented 3 governance environment, and the faculty-to- by the Service Employees International campuses undergraduate-student ratio is 13:1. Upper- Union, Local 888. level classes generally enroll fewer students, which allows for individualized teaching and 13:1 personal interaction. faculty to studen ratio

Full-time faculty (tenure-line and term) are members of the Emerson College Chapter 600+ of the American Association of University staff members Professors (ECC-AAUP) as of their starting date. The affiliated faculty voted to unionize in 2001, and the union ratified its first contract with the College administration in 2004. Today, the Affiliated Faculty of Emerson College, American Association of University Professors (AFEC-AAUP) represents 240 affiliated faculty members. 7 Academic Structure academic departments

27 The College consists of seven academic various organizations. The program in Visual undergraduate majors departments in two schools that revolve and Media Arts is among the most around the focus on arts and competitive in the country. communication. Housed in the School of 43 Communication are: Communication The College also includes the Marlboro minors Sciences and Disorders; Communication Institute for Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies; Journalism; and Marketing Studies. The College renamed its existing Communication. Housed in the School of the institute to the Marlboro Institute in Fall 15 Arts are: Performing Arts; Visual and Media 2020, and Emerson brought 18 full-time graduate programs Arts; and Writing, Literature, and Publishing. faculty to campus as part of its alliance with These departments offer a wide range of the former , a small liberal undergraduate and graduate programs. arts college in Vermont. Marlboro College 4 Three of the College’s graduate programs ceased operations in Summer 2020 after certificate programs (Communication Disorders, Theatre struggling with enrollment and transferred Education and Applied Theatre, and its remaining endowment to Emerson, in Publishing and Writing) are consistently part to fund the Institute. Today, the 3,800 rated among the best in the country by Marlboro Institute both complements and undergraduate students supports Emerson’s degree programs by enabling students to examine the world across diverse disciplines and perspectives 1,500 that add depth and intellectual perspective graduate students to their professional and creative studies.

At the undergraduate level, the College 50 offers a BA, BFA, BS, and a joint BA/MA. states There are 27 undergraduate majors and 43 minors. At the graduate level, an MA, MFA, MS, and a joint MA/MFA are offered in 15 55 graduate programs. There are also four countries certificate courses in data analytics for marketing, digital content management, digital marketing, and public relations. Students and Student Life

The distinctive nature of an Emerson students bring diversity to Emerson. The education—focused on communication, the Class of 2022 is also the most competitive: arts, and liberal arts—attracts students who the incoming class had the highest ever are creative, vibrant, and deeply engaged average high school GPA at 3.72. with their work, with their campus, and with the world around them. Emerson students Emerson has more than 100 student are doers and storytellers who bring passion organizations centered on a variety of and extraordinary commitment to their interests and activities: LGBTQ students and academics and their craft. allies; multiculturalism; fraternities and sororities; performance clubs; political, Emerson is home to 3,800 undergraduate service, and social advocacy; department students and nearly 1,500 graduate majors; spiritual organizations; and student students, representing 50 states and more governance and council. Students are also than 55 countries. Emerson students are highly active in co-curricular activities, independent thinkers from diverse internships, and class projects. Emerson has backgrounds who develop their voice and 14 varsity sports teams and is a member of expertise in professions that profoundly the New England Women’s and Men’s shape society and culture in the 21st century. Athletic Conference (NEWMAC).

The Class of 2022 is more diverse than any Emerson’s student body is approximately 65 previous class. Sixteen percent of new percent female and 35 percent male. The first-time students are the first in their College has a strong presence of self- families to go to college, and 20 percent of identified LGBTQ+ students and allies and transfer students are first-generation college has been named the number one college for students. International enrollment LGBTQ+ friendliness by The Princeton (representing 26 countries) is up 54 percent Review. over last fall for the new first-time class (145 students compared to 94 last year). Sixteen Hear From Our Students percent of new first-time students are international, which is the highest rate ever, and 27 percent of the incoming new first- time class are domestic students of color. Together, 43 percent of the new first-time 16% of new first-time students are first-generation college students. 16% of new first-time students are international. 27% of the incoming new first-time class are domestic students of color. 3.72 the average high school GPA of the incoming Class of 2022 100+ student organizations 14 varsity sports teams Accreditation Strategic Plan

Emerson is a private, independent, Emerson aspires to be the global hub for nonprofit college fully accredited by the higher education in the arts, communication, New England Commission of Higher and liberal arts. The College is an intellectual Education (NECHE). Emerson is also and creative community in which teaching, accredited by the Council on Academic learning, scholarship, and creative works are Accreditation of the American Speech- accomplished at the highest possible levels Language-Hearing Association (for its and in ways that manifest their values. As master’s degree in communication such, the College has recently completed a disorders) and the major investment in the core academic Department of Education (for its education enterprise, renovating existing facilities to preparation programs in the Departments create a more contemporary, cohesive of Communication Sciences and Disorders campus as well as significant investments in and Performing Arts). innovative and distinctive programs.

These efforts support and advance the five goals outlined in Emerson’s strategic plan:

• Academic Excellence • Civic Engagement • Internationalization and Global Engagement • Innovation • Financial Strength Financial Overview

Emerson is committed to the responsible use of resources (human, financial, and $1B+ physical facilities); increasing financial total gross assets resources through revenue-generating activities and enhanced fundraising; attracting and retaining faculty and staff; and $452M developing long-term plans for the renewal net assets and replacement of its physical plant and technology infrastructure. $237M+ The College’s total gross assets are more endowment as of December 2020 than $1B, and its net assets are currently $452M. Emerson’s endowment increased to $183.3M as of the last fiscal year-end and now stands at more than $237M as of December 2020. This includes endowment assets acquired from Marlboro College in July 2020. The endowment also increased 80% due to strong investment returns, gifts, and of enrolled students receive some appropriations from the College. form of financial assistance

Emerson invests its funds in a diversified portfolio designed to produce growth and $56M income while safeguarding its principal. in financial aid received by students Following an extensive RFP process, the in academic year 2020–2021 26% the College’s estimated weighted discount rate for FY21 College appointed Prime Buchholz LLC as its students received nearly $56M through departments. The College’s total main investment advisor as of Fall 2020. The financial aid programs. The College’s philanthropic support in FY20—including portfolio is invested with different managers weighted discount rate for FY21 is estimated outright cash gifts, stock transfers, bequests, in accordance with restrictions imposed by to be approximately 26 percent. and foundation grants—was $7.3M. Alumni donors or by a Board-mandated policy. participation percentages and fundraising Emerson’s ability to achieve its future results thus far in FY21 demonstrate The College provides financial aid programs aspirations is linked to its ability to mobilize progress against more ambitious targets. to assist applicants who do not possess new and energized philanthropic support. financial resources to cover educational The College’s Institutional Advancement For the 2020–2021 academic year, despite expenses. Approximately 80 percent of the division has been recently reorganized, extensive demands on resources and students enrolled at the College receive incorporating Communications and challenges to operations associated with the some form of financial assistance. Awards Marketing with extant Alumni Engagement/ COVID-19 pandemic, the Emerson typically consist of a combination of grants Annual Giving, Major Gifts, Planned Giving, administration and Board expect to end the and scholarships, loans, and work-study. Corporate and Foundation Relations, Donor fiscal year at breakeven with a 99 percent During the academic year 2020–2021, Relations, and Advancement Services enrollment against full capacity.

$7.3M total philanthropic support in FY20 Emerson’s Sense of Place

Located in the heart of Boston’s Theatre also leverage this network by taking classes District and across from the iconic Boston at any of six other prestigious arts colleges in Common, Emerson’s main campus stands at the area through the ProArts Consortium. the crossroads of the city. With unparalleled The campus is just steps away from world- access to internships, museums, theaters, class performance venues such as the Boch and countless cultural experiences, there is Center ; Citizens Bank Opera never a shortage of new experiences for House, ; and Emerson’s students. In fact, Emerson is knit into the very , Tufte Performance fabric of Boston, and, in turn, the city powers and Production Center, Paramount Center, everything the campus does. In a and Colonial Theatre. metropolitan area with more than 300,000 students and more than 80 colleges and The state-of-the-art Emerson Los Angeles universities, community members get to take (ELA) facility on Sunset Boulevard serves as part in the energy of one of the best college the College’s home on the West Coast. towns in the country. Students in Boston can Undergraduate students preparing to graduate spend a full fall or spring semester College hosts numerous short-term Global taking classes in the heart of Hollywood and Pathways Programs to extend the number participating in a semester-long internship at of opportunities available to students. a site related to their field of study. ELA is a sustainable LEED-certified facility Emerson is also home to a number of encompassing over 100,000 square feet of well-recognized and respected programs space. The building houses up to 215 that align with and expand on the vision Emerson students each fall and spring and brand of the College, including, but semester, in addition to the academic space. not limited to: Students are able to engage with industry leaders both on- and off-campus, as well as • HowlRound, a free and open platform positively impact the greater Los Angeles for theatremakers worldwide that area through volunteer work and outreach. amplifies progressive, disruptive ideas The internship program began in 1986 and about the art form and facilitates today includes more than 200 opportunities connection between diverse for students in residence at prestigious practitioners. HowlRound’s 50,000 studios in Southern California, including unique visitors each month hail from all DreamWorks Animation, HBO, Sony Pictures over the world. Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, and • WERS, a commercial-free, listener- Warner Brothers. Emerson continues to supported station broadcasting from enjoy a strong reputation in Los Angeles, Emerson College to Boston and connecting graduates with opportunities in beyond. WERS is student-run with the the entertainment and communication fields guidance of a professional staff, who, on the West Coast and with the College’s together, produce award-winning active and supportive group of 4,000 programs. successful and prominent Emerson alumni in • Ploughshares, an award-winning the LA area. literary journal published four times a year. Since its founding in 1971, stories, In addition to the campuses in Boston and poems, and essays from Ploughshares Los Angeles, Emerson has owned and have appeared over 150 times in the operated a campus in Kasteel Well, the following award series anthologies: Netherlands, for more than 25 years, The Best American Poetry, The Best providing a hub for international scholarship American Short Stories, The Best and study. In addition, the College embraces American Essays, The O. Henry Prize an expanded global approach toward Stories, and The Pushcart Prize: Best of becoming “a campus without borders.” The the Small Presses. Emersonians in the World

Emerson has a proud, loyal, and outspoken Sheldon, MFA ’13, Emmy winner and group of alumni who use their expertise in Academy Award nominee and director of the arts and communication, and their Heroin(e); and Stefani Robinson ’14, writer creativity and passion, to push the and producer of Atlanta, What We Do in the boundaries of their fields, shape culture and Shadows, and Man Seeking Woman. commentary, and change the world. Other notable alumni include: Bobbi Brown Emerson alumni in the entertainment ’79, founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics; industry include ‘44, creator of Eddie Brill ’80, comedian; Tim Burton ’88, , Maude, , and musician, Mighty Mighty Bosstones; Jessica many other groundbreaking television Phillips ’94, actress, Dear Evan Hansen shows; ’66, executive producer (Broadway and touring cast); Marni Senofonte of America’s Funniest Home Videos; Henry ’94, celebrity fashion stylist (Beyoncé); Janice Winkler ’67, actor, director, and producer; Al O’Leary, MFA ’96, executive editor, Robb Jaffe ’68, retired vice president of talent and Report; Miguel Cervantes ‘99, actor, Hamilton, negotiation at ESPN; ’73, Chicago; Sam Presti ’00, general manager for comedian, producer, and writer; Kevin Bright the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder; Jill Bream ’76, Emmy-winning producer/director of ’03, costume designer, Saturday Night Live; Friends, Dream On, and In Living Color; Matt Rasmussen, MFA ’05, poet and founder Denis Leary ’79, actor, comedian, producer, of poetry publishing house Birds LLC; Laura and writer; Doug Herzog ’81, former van den Berg, MFA ’08, author; George president of Viacom Entertainment Group; Watsky ’10, poet and rapper; Jalaina Ross ’11, Mario Cantone ’82, comedian and actor; Lisa general manager, Foresight Theatrical; Fatima Gregorian ’83, MA ’86, former EVP and chief Mateen ’14, company manager, American marketing officer for Warner Brothers Repertory Theater; ’15, Television Group; ’85, comedian; and Erin Riley Ramirez ’16, actress, actress; Max Mutchnick ’87, co-creator of the Les Misérables (touring cast). Emmy-winning Will & Grace; Lucia Cottone ’92, senior vice president of Explore Our Alumni Profiles development and programming for Sony Pictures; Adele Lim ’96, screenwriter of Crazy Rich Asians; ’00, actress and television personality; Elaine McMillion The Next President

Building upon the growth and success of Emerson’s academic leadership position, the next President will find myriad opportunities for Emerson to continue its current rise. However, as all of higher education is still operating amid the worst global pandemic in over a century, the next President will face challenges as well. Among the greatest priorities, the President will take on the following: Opportunities and Challenges

• Lead the community in developing endowment has more than doubled the next strategic plan: As the current over the last 10 years, it is small relative strategic plan comes to a close, the next to many peer institutions. The next President will have the opportunity to President will increase and diversify join the community in developing the revenue streams to ensure Emerson’s strategic priorities for Emerson for the short- and long-term financial success, next decade and beyond. They will work developing a roadmap for creative fiscal closely with the Board and key diversification, the reallocation of constituencies to lead a collaborative resources, piloting new revenue- and comprehensive process to evaluate producing programs, and more. These all program offerings, balance the ability efforts will include expanding a culture to be innovative and nimble with of philanthropic participation from all investing in core programs, imagine constituents, including the Board, Emerson’s post-pandemic future, and alumni, parents, and the larger ensure the long-term sustainability of philanthropic community. The new the institution. Bringing both an President will also work closely with the aspirational and realistic approach to Board to protect the College’s imagining the College’s future, the next infrastructure and physical footprint in President will help the full community order to serve the education needs of anticipate the evolution of the the school while balancing the financial educational landscape and lay out a demands of debt service and path for Emerson’s successful operations. preparation and response to society’s challenges. • Foster diversity and equity across constituencies and institutionalize an • Diversify and grow revenue streams inclusive culture: Emerson’s next and the endowment and maintain the President will embody a commitment to financial viability of the College: While enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, Emerson enjoys a solid financial belonging, social justice, and antiracism standing, low deferred maintenance, as core values in all aspects of campus and a low discount rate relative to peers, operations and culture. They will be a its budget relies heavily on tuition leading champion and model for all in revenue. Furthermore, while the the Emerson community, embracing and uplifting the contributions of individuals opportunity to deepen ties globally from all backgrounds and cultures. They through Emerson’s European campus in will go beyond supporting the the Netherlands, as well as through 20 diversification of constituencies on established Global Pathways Programs. campus to participating in the active Serving as a steadfast ambassador and pursuit of a more equitable and inclusive champion for the College, the President environment that fosters belonging and will generate regional, national, and values the perspective of all individual international awareness and recognition members of the Emerson community. of the Emerson brand. They will thoughtfully consider how every administrative decision will impact • Continue the integration of the each community member differently. Marlboro Institute: Beginning in Fall Through such an approach, the next 2020, Emerson and the now-closed President will ensure the utmost Marlboro College partnered in bringing welcoming and inclusive environment new academic programs to the Emerson possible. portfolio through the creation of the Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts and • Build upon Emerson’s increased Interdisciplinary Studies at Emerson visibility and international profile to College. This included the addition of 18 deepen relationships with external professors, 2 faculty emeriti, and audiences: Emerson enjoys a strong approximately 60 students to the relationship with the City of Boston, and Emerson community. The next President the next President will maintain and will continue to support the integration deepen relationships across the city on of the Marlboro Institute, its faculty, and behalf of the College and as an active enrolled students into the larger participant of important civic, social, and Emerson community. community-based organizations. The next President also will leverage the • Revitalize the arts post-pandemic: College’s established footprint in Los Emerson College enjoys a deep history Angeles to deepen ties and expand of collaboration across the arts, opportunities within that city. performing arts, and theater spheres Furthermore, the President will have the within the City of Boston. While these Qualifications and Personal Characteristics

areas have been drastically impacted Reporting directly to the Board of Trustees, through required social distancing the 13th President will embody visionary during the pandemic, Emerson is leadership and a passion for excellence in uniquely positioned to be a leader in teaching, scholarship, and service. Adept at arts revitalization through cross- working with multiple constituencies, the disciplinary partnerships, both within President will be a gifted communicator and the College and across the City of empathetic listener, ready to partner with Boston. Utilizing the College’s faculty, staff, students, and alumni, as well as resources and connections, the next with the general public, to ensure Emerson’s President will continue to chart the future success. Additionally, the ideal course on addressing the pandemic’s candidate will: impact on these areas and on the revitalization of the arts in a post- • Communicate clearly, passionately, and pandemic world. frequently across all constituencies; • Value a diverse, equitable, and inclusive • Develop a deeper connection with environment and demonstrate a record Emerson alumni: Emerson’s of building such an institutional culture; innovative and creative alumni are • Work, and inspire others to work, across among the greatest assets in the traditional divisions to break down silos Emerson community. The next within an institution; President will work to deepen and • Show respect for and a commitment to strengthen ties between the College engaging in shared governance; and graduates, leveraging the network • Provide visionary and ambitious to increase the integration of the leadership paired with realistic strategic Emerson voice throughout and across planning skills; the generations. • Prioritize the advancement of social justice and a culture of belonging, inclusion, diversity, and equity and possess a record of dedication and success in these areas; • Display significant financial acumen and management abilities; • Demonstrate experience and success in • Recognize and support the strengths of raising funds from a variety of sources, Emerson’s faculty both as practitioners including from individuals and and scholars; corporations; • Bring experience as an adept crisis • Provide an intimate understanding of manager; what an arts and communication • Embrace the opportunity to work within education looks like and of the a unionized environment; important role that liberal arts play in an • Possess a passion for and familiarity with Emerson education; urban campuses; and, • Exhibit an ability to unify a campus • Possess a history of building beneficial through transparent and frequent partnerships across a wide range of communication; organizations and within various • Demonstrate a commitment to communities. engagement with students and being student-centered in decision making; For best consideration, please send all • Embrace the alumni community and nominations and applications to: foster ongoing re-engagement and community building; Shelly Weiss Storbeck, Managing Partner • Strive to build consensus in decision Anne Koellhoffer, Senior Associate making and communicate transparently [email protected] in the decision-making process to build trust and support; For more information, please visit Emerson • Possess a deep respect for and up-to- College’s website at emerson.edu. date understanding of the arts and communication professions and Diversity and inclusion are core values for industries; Emerson College. The successful candidate • Have the capacity to guide a complex must have the ability to work effectively with organization with competing priorities; faculty, students, and staff from diverse • Welcome and embrace feedback, both backgrounds. Members of historically positive and in the form of criticism, to underrepresented groups are encouraged to improve performance and invite apply. Emerson College is an Equal meaningful dialogue; Opportunity Employer that encourages diversity in its workplace.