Building Bridges: EmXchange Connects Emerson’s Graduate Students Across Programs and Modalities
EmXchange, the latest Graduate Student Organization, grew out of a fall 2024 meeting between the Transformational Leadership Fellows (TLF) and former Graduate Student Representative Robin Van Impe. She had long wanted a way to connect grad students across Emerson College graduate programs. Second-year Fellow and Publishing and Writing student, Lizzy DiGrande helped crystallize the idea. She realized that she and her classmate Alexis Newman, a Business of Creative Enterprises student, each had skills the other lacked. “Wouldn’t that be cool if we were able to collaborate and take some of your strengths and my strengths and see how it can benefit both of our careers.” DiGrande asked Newman. Those early conversations sparked even more creative thinking. Together DiGrande and other Fellows began exploring what kind of project they may want to tackle as a group.
Several brainstorming sessions led to a clear idea: a student-led organization designed to foster informal, peer-to-peer networking across all grad programs, both on-campus and remote. EmXchange’s first meeting drew over thirty students online – a strong turnout for a brand-new GSO. As a result, leadership stays fresh and innovative, bringing new ideas each academic year.
A Low-Pressure Approach to Grad Student Networking
What sets EmXchange apart is its intentionally low-pressure approach. Unlike formal Career Development Center programming, it prioritizes casual community-building. First-year TLF Fellows serve as co-chairs, while second-year Fellows advise. This democratic structure allows for leadership to be innovative and come up with fresh ideas each academic year.
First-year Fellow Jeff Pagliano, a Theatre Education and Applied Theatre student, notes that building community among grad students is uniquely challenging. Differences in age, family commitments, and career stage can make connection harder. Even so, he sees real common ground. Graduate students are “all curious, they all understand creativity, they understand storytelling,” and EmXchange is designed to tap into exactly that.
Dean’s Award Recipient May 2026
Asya Partan
MFA, Creative Writing
Asya Partan’s unique experiences as an immigrant, an entrepreneur, and a mother helped fuel her love of storytelling. She connects with others through the written word. These experiences and her innate creativity eventually led her to share her talents and hone her voice as an MFA candidate in the Emerson College Creative Writing program. Her nonfiction and essay writing has been published in The Boston Globe, The Rumpus, WBUR’s Cognoscenti, Pangyrus, and Design Museum Magazine, to name a few. She has also participated as a storyteller at Stories from the Stage and the Association of Writers & Writing Programs reading at their 2026 conference. Below are Asya’s responses to a few questions we asked to get to know her even better.
Congratulations, Asya, on all your accomplishments and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!
1. Besides being the Dean’s Award winner, what was your best day at Emerson?
It was such an honor to receive that award and I’m very grateful. Another top moment at Emerson was the WLP end-of-year grad student party at Rock Bottom this spring, because it felt like anything but rock bottom. It felt like a culmination, where I realized just what a talented, interesting, amazing community of people I’ve been lucky to become part of over my four years at Emerson.
2. What is your best trait/strong suit?
Oh goodness. It’s hard for us to really know these things about ourselves. But I feel as curious now as I did when I was a child, and I get just about as excited about things as I did then, and have lots of enthusiasm when it comes to learning new things, discovering new cultures and perspectives, and meeting new people.
3. What would you tell a student considering coming to Emerson for grad school?
That one beautiful thing about this place is its openness, and that means we, too, need to be open. To meeting new kinds of people, reading new kinds of stories, taking new kinds of classes, and stretching ourselves beyond our perceived boundaries. Practically speaking, WLP is a program that, unlike many others, encourages you to study outside what you think is your niche. So I wasn’t much of a fiction writer, but I was able to lean into fiction even though creative nonfiction focus was my “major.” I just wish I had another four years to explore the things I didn’t have time for.
4. Favorite place to write?
I have three kids, aged six to sixteen, so while I fantasize about writing in all the coffee shops around Boston Common and living the life, it stays mainly in the realm of fantasy. But I do meet up with friends in cafes or for a quick bit whenever possible, and then I jot down the ideas that these meetings generate while I’m waiting at a red light or at a kid’s dentist appointment, and hope I’ll be able to turn those scribbles into something one day. I’ve been fortunate to do a weekend writing retreat at the Prospect Street Writers House in VT, and have a retreat coming up at the Martha’s Vineyard Institute for Creative Writing, and I think those are my favorite kinds of literary escapes, because they last longer than red lights.
5. In the style of the Superbowl Disney commercial, “Asya, You’ve just received your master’s degree from Emerson College, what are you doing next?”
Continuing to write, and continuing the never-ending search for life-creativity-parenthood-etc balance. And squeezing every last bit of enjoyment out of summer.
Graduate Speakers
Graduate Hooding Ceremony, May 2026
This years speakers answer the Graduate Program 5 Questions!
This year’s graduate student speakers answered a few quick questions for us. The paths to their master’s degrees were full of challenges and highlights. Their stories are inspiring and they are examples of the incredible talent among all of our many amazing students of Emerson College Graduate School masters programs.
Roma Sur
MFA, Writing for
Film & Television
1. Besides being the student speaker for the GHC, what was your best day at Emerson?
One of my best days was undoubtedly pitching live to Shaka King and then Master class with him in Bordy the next day. Listening to his stories as a film student and how he sold DVDs on the train was so inspiring! He remembered my pitch and talked to me after his session. I will never forget that moment!
2. What is your best trait/strong suit?
I believe one of my best traits is that I am a believer. Everywhere I look around me, there is an opportunity to make a difference, even if it’s small, and to learn and grow. And I try to get 36 hours out of 24, if I can. Also, I LOVE community!
3. What would you tell a student considering coming to Emerson for grad school?
I would tell a student that everybody in the Emerson community is engaged in a creative pursuit and there are opportunities galore! No matter where they are in their career and life journey, they will leave with a solid portfolio and a huge network! Emerson alumni are doing great things! They will get to meet fellow storytellers from all over the world. The Slack channel camaraderie is something I will cherish all my life! The program will push you. And if you are in Boston, you can attend all those live screenings and events which are absolutely amazing! I made lifetime friendships.
4. Favorite place to study/hang out?
Every time I go for my residency, I love sitting in the Boston commons and looking up at the tall Emerson building and flags and thinking about one of them. I love the vibe of the busy cross-street splashed with purple and I have so many memories of running with Tatte coffee between classes with my peers. I also have many fun photos!
5. In the style of the Superbowl Disney commercial, “Roma, You’ve just received your master’s degree from Emerson College, what are you doing next?”
I am going to call my sister in Mumbai on Whatsapp video. Long-term, I’m getting ready to direct my next film in mid-June which I also wrote during my time at Emerson. I have invited another fellow writer on board, and an actor from the program to collaborate on this project. Follow my film projects @queenofheartfilm, @womanhood.theseries.
Aniaha Ortiz
MFA, Creative Writing
1. Besides being the student speaker for the GHC, what was your best day at Emerson?
I have two: (1) Orientation for the EmersonWRITES during my first-year of teaching in the program! It was such a surreal experience because I acknowledged how much closer I was to my goal of becoming a professor and my love of teaching poetry. I was incredibly nervous, but my wonderful co-teacher at the time, Hi Aubrie!, was amazing and strongly instilled confidence in me from that day forward! (2) The Revival of the Graduate Reading Series! It was lovely to meet other students on the fiction and nonfiction tracks and fellow poetry students! I thoroughly enjoyed listening to everyone’s seasonal work, and made some lovely friends from attending!
2. What is your best trait?
My best trait will have to be my humor and laughter! I believe I tell the best jokes and because I genuinely love laughing, I am always down to hoot and holler, especially with my friends!
3. What would you tell a student considering coming to Emerson for grad school?
As an ambivert, those introverted days will always try to get you to isolate and recharge alone which is not terrible whatsoever and very necessary from time to time. I do; however, urge you to branch out and lean into fostering a community you can also recharge with! Graduate School can be lonely, and it’s rejuvenating to make plans, have dinner, host game nights, and sing at karaoke with the people who can make graduate studies less stressful, even by just a little bit!
4. Favorite place to study?
One of my favorite places to study would have to be in the library, right beside the window overlooking the commons! It is such a beautiful view to have in the fall as the leaves change. My second favorite though, and my most visited spot, is Study Room 560D in Walker. Because it’s tucked away in the corner, I do enjoy the freedom I have to bust a quick move in the middle of studying or snack a bit without disrupting anyone else!
5. In the style of the Superbowl Disney commercial, “Aniaha, You’ve just received your master’s degree from Emerson College, what are you doing next?”
I’M GOING TO TAKE A WELL-DESERVED BREAK! Hehehe! In all seriousness, I plan to return home and spend some quality time with family and reconnect with my community. I’ve spent so much time creating a community outside of New York City, so now it is time for me to return and foster the community that raised me first by continuing to give back to them for all their support on my journey thus far! And while the goal to become a Creative Writing professor still remains, I think a little redirection is fine and necessary!
Kathleen Desmaris
MA, Digital Communication Leadership
1. Besides being the student speaker for the GHC, what was your best day at Emerson?
(This is hard to answer for my time as a grad student, as it was an online/ asynchronous program) Either the day I got my acceptance letter or the DCL Spring Social Zoom Chat. Emerson professors are really cool and are often involved in some really interesting extra curricular activities both through Emerson and outside of Emerson. getting the opportunity to chat and get to know your professors and peers outside of the context of the courses you take is always really exciting. One of the best things about Emerson is the vibrant and diverse community, someone always has an awesome story or an awesome project they are working on!
2. What is your best trait?
My passion for advocacy and ability to inspire others.
3. What would you tell a student considering coming to Emerson for grad school?
DO IT! Take a chance and bet on yourself, believe you can do this, If you believe in yourself, Emerson will help you get there!
4. Favorite place to study?
On my couch, Grey’s Anatomy on for background noise
5. In the style of the Superbowl Disney commercial, “Kathleen, You’ve just received your master’s degree from Emerson College, what are you doing next?”
Crying probably (tears of joy and pride) and trying to remember what people do with free time (free time? I don’t know her!)
Graduate Student Accomplishments, Awards, and Accolades!
Each semester we ask grad students to boast about their achievements and share what they have done! While these students were taking graduate courses, doing research, working on theses and capstone projects, they somehow found the time to submit creative works and research papers to journals and magazines, interview for internships, residencies and jobs and participate in festivals and conferences. Emerson’s grad students are truly amazing!
Published and Recognized
Ashley Abitz, Creative Writing, MFA, Aug ‘26 Winner of the Academy of American Poets College Prize and runner-up for Graduate Student Writing Award in Poetry
Chris Campbell, Creative Writing, MFA, May ‘27 Short story “A Penrose Dirge” is in the May/June issue of Asimov’s Magazine. His short story “Ada the Last Daughter: On Blackhole Cosmology and Computation” will be in Apex Magazine issue 153. Chris was accepted into the Sundress Academy for the Arts Residency at the SAFTA farmhouse.
Tariq Karibian, Creative Writing, MFA, May ‘26 Poem, “Gates of Heaven: A Google Map Cento,” was recently accepted for publication in MudRoom Magazine. In celebration of the issue’s release, he and other contributors have been invited to perform live readings of their work in Brooklyn, New York. The event begins at 6:00 PM on May 30th, open to the public (more details to follow).
Asya Partan, Creative Writing, MFA, May ‘26 Finalist for the 2026 Story Foundation Prize. Recipient of Poet & Author Fellowship from Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing. Essay, “A Vera for Every Era,” forthcoming from Liberties. Read from “A Vera for Every Era” at AWP Offsite event called “Eastern European Voices for Resistance and Reinvention.” Selected to perform at Stories from the Stage in Coolidge Corner, Brookline
Jordan Penney, Pop Fiction, MFA, May ‘26 Short story, titled The Shifter, published in As Alive Journal! It was her first published piece.
Pamela Rider, Journalism, Media and Innovation, MA, May ‘26 Learned to navigate social media, website software and tools to create posts on TikTok and build her website Pamelariderwrites.com. She published two stories, one the story, “Joy, Jazz, and Justice,” which can be found in JamaicaFunk.com and “Baby Boomers, Technology, post-COVID-19,” which can be found in the Queens Chronicle Newspaper
Emily Schmid, Theatre Ed/Applied Theatre, MFA, May ‘26 Thesis applied theatre show, The Canary in the Classroom, was accepted to be presented at the 2026 American Alliance for Theatre in Education Conference in Greenville, SC.
Jasmine Shouse, Pop Fiction, MFA, Dec ’27 Short story, “Diothan’s Gift” was published on March 31, 2026, in the anthology A Queer Kind of Magic!
Maya Werner, Pop Fiction, MFA, May ‘26 Published a short story in Page Turner Magazine, accepted to attend the Yale Summer Writer’s Workshop in June
Film, Media, and Performance
Tushar Gidwani, Film and Media Art, MFA, Aug ‘26 Film, “Saccharine Wonderland & Forces That Make Me Shiver” was a part of “OUT Night” at the 64th Ann Arbor Film Festival – Detroit.
Mahdokht Molaei, Film and Media Art, MFA, May ‘27 Film screened on AppleTV and short film “Homa” screened in Vancouver and London Cinemas and was accepted at four film festivals in the United States and the Netherlands. This film was selected as one of the best underground Persian films to screen at Budapest University this past March.
Juliet Romeo, Business of Creative Enterprise, MA, Dec ‘26 Award-winning filmmaker and disability advocate, and the founder of the Unstoppable Program for Disability and Inclusion in Film at the Oscar-qualifying Slamdance Film Festival. In April, Juliet pitched her documentary Blood Bias at Lincoln Center as part of the ReelAbilities Crip Pitch Competition. The film investigates how sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait have been used in cases involving police custody deaths and systemic injustice, highlighting an important intersection of health, race, and accountability that is often overlooked. She is also celebrating the publication of her first book, Women in Leadership: Unscripted: A Life in Motion, and will be participating in several upcoming book signings. Details about the book can be found on Amazon.
Anwen Thomas, Marketing, MA, May ‘26 Won first place in a local (Greenville, PA) American 250 art show and had photography published in Emerson’s Page Turner Magazine.
New Positions
Breanna Beckett, Communication Disorders, MS, May ‘26 Secured a job as a part time speech-language pathologist at Big Bear Unified School District in her home state of California.
Maridan Hueser, Communication Disorders, MS, May ‘26 Accepted a job offer with a private practice doing pediatric speech/language and feeding therapy!
Snapshots from an Extraordinary Emerson Day!
May 2026 Graduate Hooding Ceremonies and Emerson College Commencement
A Fond Farewell to our Dean
A Legacy Built on Vision and Care
Some leave a place better than they found it. Jan Roberts-Breslin built something significant.
Through more than 30 years at Emerson, Jan has accomplished so much, more than we can list (understatement). That said, here is the part where we reduce her career to some impressive titles she has held because that is what is expected in this kind of story:
- Founding director of the MFA in Film & Media Art
- Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies
- Interim Dean of the School of Arts
- Interim Provost
- NEVER Department Chair (Jan is proud of this)
- Advisor to nearly 100 MFA Theses
- Bridge builder with partner institutions
- Shepherd of Emerson’s low-residency and online programs
Jan transformed a small handful of graduate programs into a comprehensive, organized cornerstone of the college. Built on open communication, bold partnerships, and an unwavering belief in students: this transformation is her legacy.
Jan’s artistic work has aired on PBS, screened at international festivals, and shown at ICA Boston and the DeCordova. But what you feel in her presence isn’t her résumé — it’s the curiosity and empathy that made her art worth watching: how she listens, the questions she asks, the care she brings.
She also brought the particular warmth of someone who has raised children and held grandchildren. That showed up too, in ways that are hard to articulate but easy to feel.
Jan has always pointed to her students as what she most admires. Recently, a group of past students traveled to Boston to celebrate her retirement, she said with shining eyes, ‘It was one of the absolute best days of my life.’ That says it all.
Her motto? “It’ll be fine.” Thanks to the foundation she’s built, it will be.
Jan, thank you for everything. We wish you great coffee, water views, and zero computer screens.
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