Moving through Phases 3–6 of the planning process, community members on three different working groups share governance of the strategic planning process with the Strategic Planning Executive Team and the Board of Trustees, the governing body of the College that sets its mission, vision, and strategic direction.
Executive Team
The Executive Team provides oversight and guidance on critical issues by reaching decisions and addressing any key risks; confirming strategic options and priorities; championing the resulting strategic plan across the College; and focusing on mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
Members
- Jay Bernhardt, President
- Carolina Avellaneda, Vice President and General Counsel
- Rebekah Carmichael, Vice President for Marketing and Communications
- Jon Derek Croteau, Vice President of Strategy, Innovation, and Institutional Initiatives
- Paul Dworkis, Vice President for Administration and Finance
- Alexandra Socarides, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Working Groups
The three working groups have discrete areas of focus:
Constituent Engagement Working Group
The Constituent Engagement Working Group reviews the emergent themes found in the community feedback and confirms their alignment with developing strategic priorities and initiatives. Responsibilities include:
- Reporting on emergent themes, strategic priorities, and initiatives;
- Offering insight on how these themes are reflective of the broader Emerson context; and
- Recommending how to effectively share the strategic plan with various constituent groups.
Members
- Dr. Anthony L. Pinder (Chair), Vice Provost, Internationalization & Equity
- Kate Eichorn, Dean, School of the Arts
- Shaya Gregory Poku, Vice President for Equity & Social Justice
- Jamie Montgomery-Hyde, Chief Human Resources Officer, Human Resources
- Nandan Nair, Undergraduate Student Representative
- Ronee Penoi, Interim Executive Director, Office of the Arts & ArtsEmerson
- Paul Raglow-DeFranco, Graduate Student Representative
- Mary Anne Taylor, Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director, Communication Studies
Future of Emerson Working Group
The Future of Emerson Working Group helps ensure that Emerson’s historical initiatives, plans, and community presence are included and prioritized in the strategic planning process. Responsibilities include:
- Synthesizing Emerson’s prior institutional strategic plan(s) and internal initiatives to provide relevant historical context to the current strategic planning effort; and
- Reviewing material from the first phases of the current strategic planning process to help inform the engagement plan for Fall 2024.
Members
- Nydia Bou (Chair), Senior Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence and Chair, Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Amy Ansell, Dean, Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies
- Rob Butler, Associate Vice President for Finance, Financial Affairs
- Phedra Hamilton-Reyna, Director of Program Administration, Speech@Emerson
- Jon Honea, Associate Professor and Honors Program Director, Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies
- Maria Koundoura, Assistant Provost for Strategic Projects, Academic Affairs
External Market Working Group
The External Market Working Group reviews available market data to inform how Emerson can adapt and evolve with market trends. Responsibilities include:
- Evaluating existing market scan data conducted in the spring to inform strategic initiative development;
- Analyzing peer and competitor strategies and offerings to identify opportunities for Emerson to meet or anticipate demand; and
- Strategizing the positioning of the College uniquely in the market by emphasizing its strengths and value propositions.
Members
- Brian Basgen (Chair), Chief Information Officer, Information Technology
- Matt Boyce, Vice President for Enrollment Management
- Rebekah Carmichael, Vice President of Marketing and Communication
- Spencer Kimball, Associate Professor, Communication Studies, and Director of Emerson College Polling
- Brooke Knight, Assistant Provost for Faculty Affairs, Academic Affairs
- Jennifer Lamy, Associate Director, Sustainability
- Brent Smith, Dean, School of Communication