Emerson Is One of One

Like many in higher education, I’ve wrestled with some profound questions in recent years. The pandemic triggered what I can only describe as a professional existential crisis. As someone deeply entrenched in enrollment management, the complexities of these times are staggering. We’ve long been aware of the approaching “enrollment cliff”— a sharp decline in college-going students stemming from a birth rate decline in the early 2000s. Add a growing public skepticism about the value of higher education and the disruptive effects of COVID-19, and the question arises: What truly distinguishes one college from another?

I carried that question with me for years, struggling to pinpoint what makes a particular institution worthy of the investment students and families make. Then, I discovered Emerson. Here, I found an answer.

While many institutions claim to be special or have an edge over others, Emerson College is in a class of its own. Like other preeminent institutions, we have a strong liberal arts foundation, but what ultimately sets us apart is the singularity of our community, which is wholly dedicated to the arts and communication. We are the only institution in the United States—perhaps in the world—where every student, faculty member, and program is focused on nurturing creativity, expression, and storytelling. This collective commitment to shaping artists, communicators, and creators makes Emerson truly one of one.

Emerson’s purpose-driven education is beyond unique; it’s essential. Situated in the heart of one of the world’s cultural epicenters and a thriving global network, Emerson offers an education that nurtures storytellers, creators, leaders, and entrepreneurs—individuals who will go on to make the world a better place. That’s what I was seeking all along: an education that isn’t just different, but purposeful.

In his Inauguration speech this past March, President Jay Bernhardt captured the essence of Emerson’s mission: “The world needs communication and the arts to build healthy relationships, maintain a prosperous and vibrant society, and protect a functioning democracy. It needs people who harness the power of laughter and storytelling to bring us together. The world needs those who understand the power and nuance of language, who can speak about justice inways that make people listen. Now more than ever, the world needs Emersonians!”

These words, this vision, resonated deeply with me. Emerson is globally renowned for its innovative education, and I am honored to play a role in sharing that story with prospective students and their communities. At Emerson, we share a common goal: to unite, welcome new students, and help current students reach their aspirations—and even uncover new possibilities they hadn’t imagined.

Students leave Emerson transformed. They enter the world not just as graduates, but as Emersonians joining an international community of alumni passionate about leveraging their skills in the arts and communication to make a difference.

At a time when we are continually surrounded by rankings and comparisons, colleges are no exception. Over the past three decades, the demand for simplified, digestible rankings has exploded. But Emerson defies easy categorization. While we are rated among the top 10 film schools and speech therapy programs in the nation, Emerson transcends these labels.

With a presence across the globe—including the Kasteel Well campus in the Netherlands, collaborations in Paris, our immersive program in Los Angeles, and, of course, across Boston—we offer students a global perspective and unmatched opportunities. Emerson isn’t just about what happens in the classroom; it’s about the world of possibilities that awaits.

In the end, Emerson College isn’t just another school. We are not one of many. We are one of one.

Matthew Boyce is Emerson’s vice president for enrollment management. He joined the College in July 2024.