Emerson’s Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer Paul Dworkis will retire after the fall semester, according to an email sent by President Jay Bernhardt to the Emerson community on Sept. 19.

Dworkis agreed to continue supporting Emerson as an expert consultant following his retirement, Bernhardt wrote in the email.

Dworkis joined Emerson in December 2019 and has since led multiple campus operations, including finance, human resources, Emerson College Police Department, information technology, facilities and real estate, Emerson College Polling, and, briefly, legal affairs.

He led the acquisition of Marlboro College’s assets, which added 20 faculty members, more than 50 students, and an estimated $25 million to the college’s endowment. 

Months after arriving at Emerson, the COVID-19 pandemic began, impacting the college’s operations. Dworkis helped launch the college’s COVID-19 recovery plans to address financial challenges, including significant revenue loss and tens of millions of dollars spent to ensure a healthy and safe campus.

 “Paul’s financial leadership helped bring stability to the college, expanding on one of Emerson’s five strategic pillars, financial excellence,” Bernhardt wrote. “Through his management of the institution’s finances, much work on compensation and benefits plans, union negotiations, and the appointment of new investment advisors, bankers, and other strategic partners, the college and our community benefited greatly.”  

Dworkis contributed to numerous projects to expand campus facilities and technology, including the upcoming opening of the fitness center in Piano Row. He also led the expansion of commercial operations and profile of Emerson College Polling and the launch of Emerson’s unCommon Stage on the Boston Common. 

More information will be provided about the selection process for Dworkis’ successor at a later date, according to Bernhardt.