All in the Family

It was wonderful to spend time with hundreds of our students’ family members and friends during Emerson’s Family and Friends Weekend in October. Our faculty drew standing-room-only crowds for their enlightening presentations, and I heard outstanding feedback from the attendees. Many parents shared how inspired they were by the imagination and drive their students are bringing to life at Emerson. My sincere thanks to everyone who organized our events and to all who attended and participated.

Bobbi Brown’s Homecoming

Last week, we hosted an alum who embodies Emersonian creativity. Legendary makeup mogul, beauty industry maven, and best-selling author Bobbi Brown visited Emerson College, and we were honored to welcome her back home. Her visit was part of her international book tour to promote her ninth book and first memoir, Still Bobbi, which shares her story of reinvention, resilience, and the power of staying real, including reflections on how she found herself and her career at Emerson. Her presentation took place in the gym - fittingly named for her and her husband - where she was interviewed by journalism alum Maggie McCarthy Baxter. Bobbi also led a standing-room-only Emerson College Master Class for students. Faculty member Brenna McCormick interviewed her followed by a Q&A filled with stories and lessons from her student, professional, and personal journeys.

Community Connections

Our first Halloween “Phantasmagorium” in Boston was a big success and a wonderful showcase of our creative community. I am grateful to faculty member Sharon Topper and the many students, staff, and faculty organizers for their teamwork in creating an energetic event full of thrills and chills. This event supports our strategic goal of building a vibrant and inclusive campus experience, and we’re excited to grow it next year!

This fall, I’ve enjoyed opportunities to connect with faculty, staff, and students across the College. At the invitation of our Student Government Association (SGA), I was pleased to attend their Oath Ceremony last month and leadership meeting last Friday to discuss Extraordinary Emerson 2030. We continue to work closely with student leaders to enhance and improve our students’ experience. This includes expanding access to more “third spaces” where students can gather and build community. 

I’ve also enjoyed hosting recent meetings and gatherings with the SGA leadership team, Department Chairs, Student Affairs staff and the President's Staff Advisory Group (PAG), as well as participating in meetings with the PAG on Community and Culture, the School of Film, Television, and Media Arts, and the Department of Communication Studies. It was very meaningful to honor our faculty for their promotions and years of service, especially Michael Brown’s 55 years at Emerson. I look forward to our upcoming Staff Years of Service celebration and our next Staff Forum, which will take place in late Fall or early Spring semester.

Go, Lions!

It’s an exciting week for Emerson Athletics as our teams continue into postseason play! Both Men’s and Women’s Soccer will open the NEWMAC Playoffs at home on Tuesday, November 4, at Rotch Field. The men’s team kicks off at 1:00 p.m., followed by the women’s match at 6:00 p.m. Let’s fill the stands and cheer on our Lions as they begin their playoff run. Looking ahead, our Cross Country teams will compete at the 2025 NCAA Division III East Regional Championships at Hopkinton State Park in New Hampshire on Saturday, November 15. Let’s rally behind all our teams as they showcase Emerson pride, energy, and excellence!

Enrollment Leadership

I’m pleased to announce that Dr. Luke Schultheis will join us this week as our Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management. Luke will work alongside Matt Boyce for the rest of this semester and will oversee enrollment management through the 2025-2026 enrollment cycle. Luke is an exceptional leader in strategic enrollment management with a strong record at both private and public institutions, and we are excited to welcome him to Emerson to work with and lead our talented enrollment team.

"What’s in a name?"

We are grateful for the creative ideas and collaboration that went into selecting the new name for the School of the Arts, which will now be formally known as the “School of Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies.” This name reflects and represents the programs and departments within the reorganized school and will help them come together in identity and collaboration. Thanks to Provost Alex Socarides, Interim Dean Jan Roberts Breslin, and everyone from the school who worked together and contributed to this renaming effort. Going forward, our three schools will be abbreviated as SOA (School of Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies), SOC (School of Communication), and SOF (School of Film, Television, & Media Arts).

In closing, I wish you all a great month of thanks and appreciation, and I thank you all for everything you do for Emerson, where creativity is our calling. 

Onward,

Jay Bernhardt
President