Colleen Emerson

Dean of Undergraduate Admissions

MBA, Salve Regina University
BA, Manhattanville College
Member: NACAC, NEACAC, NEACRO, RIAAO
Joined Salve Regina's staff in 1988

E-mail: emersonc@salve.edu

Talk about a devoted employee! A month after her college graduation, Colleen joined the staff as an admissions counselor and has been here ever since – for almost 20 years! In her current position as Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Colleen reads distant candidates' applications, oversees the admissions staff and, in general, ensures that all aspects of the office are running smoothly.

Before headed off to college in New York City, Colleen was a typical native Newporter who adhered to the belief that everything – family, friends, restaurants, shops, the beach, and all other essentials – can be found on this side of the bridges. As a result of her allegiance to Aquidneck Island first and her relocations to a metropolitan city second, Colleen didn’t obtain a drivers license until her first travel season as a counselor; her territory was Boston of all places!

"I truly love Salve Regina and have since the day I started working here." Colleen maintains that although the scenery and buildings are undeniably beautiful, the people here are what really make Salve such a special place. "I honestly couldn’t ask for a better place to work. I work with a fantastic group of people who are all working toward a common goal. I also love working with young people and helping them determine if this is the right place for them. It is amazing to watch the transformation from freshman to senior year – Salve truly prepares these students to go out into this ever changing world."

Although she will always consider Newport "home", Colleen now resides "across the bridges" with her husband and their two children. There is nothing, not even Lost or Grey's Anatomy, that Colleen appreciates more than spending time with her family. She is also a diehard Red Sox fan and acknowledges that she is "a bit of a shopaholic but a great bargain hunter." Her co-workers agree and add that she is also a beach worshiper and a connoisseur of fine chocolate.