Student groups are key to the Emerson graduate experience. They offer additional resources for student interests, provide a student voice in College decisions, and support orientation and commencement activities.
Graduate Student Association (GSA)
The Graduate Student Association (GSA) represents all graduate students and is dedicated to advancing their goals, objectives, and interests. The GSA serves as a liaison between graduate students and the College community, providing students with opportunities for social interaction and professional contacts. The GSA sponsors and helps support the professional programming and social activities of the approved graduate student organizations (GSOs). For all on-campus students, the GSA also provides support for individual graduate student research and professional development projects and activities such as travel, conference attendance, site research, workshops or training, projects that will develop professional skills, and other expenses related to research through Professional Development Grants (PDGs) and Mini Grants. The GSA works with the Office of Graduate Studies.
Students in online programs are online GSA members. They can become full-time GSA members by opting in to pay the Optional Graduate Student Association Fee, which would grant them access to apply for individual funding, as well as to campus buildings such as the gym. They are able to participate in/organize GSO activities and have access to GSA funds to support those activities.
Graduate Student Organizations
Bilingual Language and Literacy Investigative and Networking Group (BLLING)
The Bilingual Language and Literacy Investigative and Networking Group (BLLING) is a graduate student organization consisting of CSD and S@E students committed to increasing knowledge and clinical skills in cultural-linguistic diversity within an anti-racist framework that centers on the rights and dignity of people who identify as Black, Indigenous, or as Persons of Color (BIPOC). The group aims to: (1) create and run programs that address the elimination of discriminatory practices in areas such as educational and community outreach; and (2) support and enhance the graduate school experience for BIPOC and bilingual students.
CSD Student Advocacy Board
The purpose of the CSD SAB is twofold. First, it is to provide students with a means to have their voice heard by the CSD faculty and staff (including both on-campus and Speech@Emerson modalities) through student representatives. Second, it aims to serve as a social hub for students to network, bond, and support each other. This group is designed to raise awareness of student concerns, ask questions on behalf of students, and provide positive feedback regarding the CSD programs to CSD faculty and staff as well as foster a sense of community among students.
Emerson College Book Club
The aim of the book club would be to provide a space and a community for graduate students to read, review, and discuss books among one another. The book club would aim to read one book a month, choosing books that deal with important issues including stories from LGBT+, BIPOC, and women authors. The book club would be a fun and welcoming place for all graduate students to come together as a community and read wonderful works of writing.
Graduate Reading Series
The Graduate Reading Series provides a platform for all graduate students at Emerson College to share their work in a public forum. It provides a location, food, beverages, and an environment in which anyone can be comfortable reading any kind of writing. Especially for writing-focused graduate students, opportunities to read their work in a public setting are absolutely necessary. This GSO provides graduate students with experience in public speaking, feedback on their work, and the chance to meet and form lasting connections with other students interested in writing.
International Graduate Student Organization
The International Graduate Student Organization (IGSO) is dedicated to enhancing the campus experience for international graduate students and serving their specific needs. The IGSO provides a base for social interaction and networking opportunities such as festivals, food fests, workshops, and meetings. Bridging the gap between international and domestic students and promoting conversation between these two communities are also major goals of the IGSO.
Media Design Consortium
The purpose of Media Design Consortium is to provide Emerson graduate students with a base for professional interaction and social connection; to encourage and promote the values of the Media Design program; to provide effective channels for supporting civic engagement in the local Boston community; to connect Emerson graduate students with projects and learning experiences of the Emerson Engagement Lab; to sponsor educational lectures featuring scholars and professionals in the areas of civic media, visual media art, civic engagement, and game design; to encourage and promote professional development through the sponsorship of grants; and to recognize outstanding Media Design graduate students. Media Design Consortium membership will expose members to speakers, activities, and events dealing with government, international aid organizations and community-based organizations, preparing them for a variety of roles as creative leaders, makers, and thinkers.
MFA Production Collaborative (Film and Media Art)
The purpose of the MFA Production Collaborative is to provide Visual and Media Arts (VMA) graduate students with a base for social and professional interaction, to encourage and promote VMA graduate student activities, to provide effective channels for expression concerning all aspects of department and College life, to sponsor educational lectures featuring scholars and professionals in the VMA field or any other field that will provide the VMA graduate student a strong professional background, to encourage and promote professional development through the sponsorship of grants, and to recognize outstanding VMA graduate students.
Page Turner Magazine
The purpose of Page Turner Magazine is to showcase the diverse creative conscience of Emerson students and alumni by publishing their popular fiction and art in digital and print form. Page Turner Magazine gives Emerson students, staff, and alumni a vibrant, professional place in which to publish short works of genre fiction annually. In addition, staff members gain valuable career experience, as well as access to shared resources and diversity training. The magazine team maintains a regularly updated blog of book reviews and author interviews featuring the diverse array of voices in popular fiction. Page Turner Magazine upholds a standard of wonder, quality, and diversity in all work to represent the Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing program at Emerson College.
PRGrads
PRGrads provides Public Relations graduate students with a base for social and professional interaction. The group encourages and promotes Public Relations graduate student activities, provides effective channels for expression concerning all aspects of department and College life, sponsors educational lectures featuring scholars and professionals in the Public Relations field, encourages and promotes professional development through the sponsorship of grants, and recognizes outstanding Public Relations graduate students.
Redivider
Redivider is Emerson’s graduate student-run, nationally acclaimed literary magazine. A journal of new literature, Redivider publishes work by emerging and established writers in all genres including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and graphic narrative. Redivider also runs the Beacon Street Prize in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, as well as the Blurred Genre Contest. Newly online, and published twice annually, new issues appear each winter and spring. Submissions are welcome year-round.
Theatre Education Graduate Association
The Theatre Education Graduate Association (TEGA) is dedicated to providing networking and professional development events for its graduate students, as well as building a strong Theatre Education graduate community. Annual events include a cabaret, guest speakers, theater game swaps, workshops, a TEGA production, and an end-of-the-year celebration.
Writers of Color
The purpose of Writers of Color at Emerson is to create a space for graduate students to meet to discuss their experiences in the classroom and to collaborate on their creative pursuits. Writers of Color at Emerson actively engages the broader literary community; supports and nurtures community in its pages and beyond; and welcomes and serves historically underrepresented voices, including those marginalized due to class, gender, race, and sexuality.
Online Student Experience
Graduate students who study in online or low-residency programs are members of the GSA. They may choose to enroll as full members of the GSA each semester. They will be assessed the Graduate Student Association fee at the part-time rate during the semesters for which they choose to enroll.
Other Emerson Student Organizations
Undergraduate student organizations are recognized and supported by the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership (SEAL). You can find information about all of Emerson’s undergraduate organizations on EmConnect at emconnect.emerson.edu.
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