Greta Spoering, who serves as associate director of Emerson’s Healing & Advocacy Collective, will depart the college on July 23, officials announced Wednesday morning. 

Spoering began her current role in 2014, when The Healing & Advocacy Collective was created. In this capacity, she worked to counsel community members impacted by power-based interpersonal violence, providing them with support and accommodations. Spoering also attended Title IX meetings together with community members, and requested no-contact orders for them if necessary. 

“Greta has been instrumental in raising community consciousness, facilitating challenging discussions, supporting student organizing and anti-oppression work, and advocating and influencing systems change in Emerson policies, processes, and culture,” wrote Director of Healing and Advocacy Melanie Matson in an email. 

Matson praised Spoering’s dedication to her work and her impact in the Emerson community. 

“Greta’s efforts exemplify the belief, values, and honor of being an advocate and accomplice,” they wrote. “Her steadiness, fortitude, and unwavering support brought nourishment and joy to those who counted on her to listen, understand, and be present.”

No reason for Spoering’s sudden departure was provided in the email, though the email stated that she would continue to work against power-based interpersonal violence “beyond the Emerson community.”

In light of the departure, the Healing & Advocacy Collective will be directly run by Matson, until Spoering’s replacement is named.