Tim Chang will depart his role as Executive Director of the Emerson Los Angeles Center (ELA) effective July 15, 2025, marking the end of a nearly seven-year-long stint at Emerson’s West Coast hub. 

Since 2019, Chang served as ELA’s director, overseeing the entire domestic study abroad program, which enrolls roughly 200 students every semester. His role included helping to liaise between the program’s students, faculty, and vast alumni network. 

“At the center of everything has been our students,” Chang  said in an interview with The Beacon, noting that he takes “pride in all [his team] brings to campus.” According to Chang, he has been the “lead administrator” of ELA. He is now assuming a role as Executive Director at California State University, Los Angeles. 

“After being here for a number of years, you kind of feel like you’ve done everything you’re gonna do,” Chang said about his departure. “The leadership of the college clearly has plans for the future.” 

The college recently announced that they are looking to hire a dean for the ELA campus, which Chang said coincided with CalState reaching out to him with interest. 

“Emerson is amazing. The students, the alums, y’all are awesome,” he said. “It’s a special place.” 

Beyond the new position of dean, Chang said he hopes to see the program carry the torch with regards to some of his contributions to ELA, including a visiting alumni center and a free-of-charge lounge curated specifically for ELA alumni—something he is proud to have worked on. 

“I know [the team] is as committed as I was,” Change said. “They see the vision.”