Emerson College has appointed Erik Muurisepp as the new associate dean and director of Housing and Residence Life. He is scheduled to start working at Emerson on Feb. 2.

“Having been familiar with institutions for a while, Emerson is such a vibrant community,” Muurisepp said. “It seems like they’re really in a great spot to make an impact in students’ lives.”

David Haden, who previously held the position, announced in October that he would leave the college.

Dean of Students Ronald Ludman said Muurisepp was chosen by a search committee comprised of key stakeholders from across the college, which included students.

“Erik brings a substantial record of accomplishment and leadership in both housing and residence life and student affairs that the committee and I believe will serve Emerson, OHRL and our students well,” Ludman wrote in an emailed statement to the Beacon.

Muurisepp spent the last five years at Curry College as assistant dean of students and director of residential life and housing, according to an email from the college. He has also previously worked at Daniel Webster College, Newbury College, the New England Conservatory of Music, and has served as president of the Massachusetts College Personnel Association.

Muurisepp said he plans to complete his doctoral degree in higher education administration at Northeastern University in the spring.

At Emerson, Muurisepp said he hopes to be directly involved with the campus community.

“For the first few months I really want to be able to gather information, especially from students,” Muurisepp said. “I look forward to walking in the halls and getting to know students, hearing from them directly, what’s working, what’s not working.”

Haden left Emerson to move closer to his family, according to an email from the college. He is among several Emerson administrators named in two lawsuits filed by former students who allege Emerson’s administration mishandled their sexual assault cases. Haden is also mentioned in a federal complaint filed with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights in October 2013 that accuses Emerson of violating Title IX, a federal anti-gender discrimination law. Ludman has said Haden is not leaving as a result of these allegations.