The Emerson brand is a reflection of who we are, what we stand for, and what makes this community distinct. Our mission, vision, values, and brand platform give us a shared foundation for how we talk about Emerson and tell our stories.
These ideas are touchstones for our work. They won’t always appear word for word in a story, campaign, email, video, or social post, but they should help guide what we communicate and the impression we create.
Our Mission
To educate and elevate extraordinary artists, communicators, scholars, and professionals for the betterment of humanity. We pursue this mission through world-class teaching, practice, performance, and discovery that are experiential, innovative, and inclusive.
Our Vision
To educate and elevate extraordinary artists, communicators, scholars, and professionals for the betterment of humanity. We pursue this mission through world-class teaching, practice, performance, and discovery that are experiential, innovative, and inclusive.
Our Core Values
Our core values reflect what matters to Emerson and the principles that guide our community.
Creativity
Curiosity
Expression
Innovation
Equity
Collaboration
Inclusion
Equity
Our Motto
Expression Necessary to Evolution
Emerson College has had one motto since its founding in 1880: Expression Necessary to Evolution.
The motto is part of Emerson’s defining fabric. It connects expression with evolution and forward thinking, inspiring our brand platform and continuing to guide the College forward.
The motto doesn’t need to appear word for word in every communication. Instead, let the idea behind it inspire the thinking: expression has the power to move people, ideas, industries, and culture forward.
Creating the Extraordinary
Creating the Extraordinary is the central expression of the Emerson brand.
At Emerson, we are driven to create, to express ideas, emotions, and perspectives in new ways designed to connect with and inspire others. We help students build, shape, and sharpen their creative skills and become dynamic storytellers, leaders, creators, and communicators.
Creating the Extraordinary is shorthand for Emerson’s goal: to develop intrepid creative students who will excel in the arts, media, and communication landscape. It is a promise to encourage, support, and uplift Emersonians as they pursue their goals, build their careers, and create original and innovative work.
Together, we are Creating the Extraordinary.
Our Brand Narrative
Imagination. Originality. Hard work. Hustle.
This is what we were built for. Since 1880, we’ve dedicated ourselves to advancing the way humans connect and communicate. At Emerson, we push forward when others pull back. We are the courageous creators, innovators, and storytellers.
Emerson leads to Creating the Extraordinary.
Our brand narrative is a message anchor. It brings our stories together and articulates what drives the Emerson community forward. You don’t need to repeat this language in every communication. Use it as a lens for deciding which stories we tell and how we tell them.
Our Brand Promise
We create extraordinary storytellers.
Emerson is a conduit for creating, teaching, and forming the next generation of creative leaders and storytellers. Our graduates shape, write, produce, broadcast, communicate, and innovate stories. Emerson shapes their evolving voices and helps them sharpen their creative skill set.
Our brand promise is about the experience we deliver. The more consistently we demonstrate that promise through real people, work, experiences, and outcomes, the stronger the Emerson brand becomes.
What Drives Us
Our brand drivers help turn the ideas behind the Emerson brand into stories. Use them as a lens when deciding what to highlight, which proof points matter, and how a story connects back to the bigger Emerson experience.
We are the future of expression.
We push forward the way the world communicates, connects, and creates in new directions. With creative hubs in Boston, Los Angeles, and Europe, we advance human connection and expression worldwide. We lead the way to the world’s stories.
We are a powerful career catalyst.
We open the door to a vast network of communication, media, and arts professionals. Through unparalleled real-world, hands-on experiences, strengthened by access to talented faculty, cutting-edge technology, and world-class academic programs, we forge tomorrow’s innovative creators and communicators.
We lead with imagination, originality, hard work, and hustle.
Emerson was built for those driven and brave enough to stretch the boundaries of what’s possible. We are the champions of all voices, viewpoints, and perspectives, telling the stories that might not otherwise be told.
We connect and collaborate to create a greater impact.
Emersonians work together, create together, and achieve together. We know the value of combining talents, visions, expertise, perspectives, and imagination. Together, we bring bold new ideas to life.
What Sets Emerson Apart
Our positioning gives us clarity about what Emerson does, who we serve, and what makes the College distinct.
We create the world’s storytellers.
As the world’s only college dedicated to the constant evolution of expression, our work innovates communication, media, and the arts. On our campuses in Boston, LA, and Europe, we celebrate imagination and originality while stretching the boundaries of what’s creatively possible. Through dynamic academics and hands-on experiences, we challenge Emersonians to lead the way.