Jeffrey Schoenherr was hired as the new vice president for development and alumni relations in an email to the Emerson community, President M. Lee Pelton announced in a mass email this afternoon.

He will take office May 21.

Schoenherr worked since Jan. 2011 as the executive director of development and alumni relations at Harvard Law School, and previously held alumni and development positions at John Hopkins University and the University of Michigan.

“Jeff’s initial task will be to bring the very latest best practices in alumni and donor relations to the College and to develop a strategic plan that in time will lead to Emerson’s first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign,” said Pelton’s email.

Schoenherr holds a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Michigan and five advanced certificates in fundraising and management from Johns Hopkins University. He will succeed Barbara Rutberg, who currently fills the position.

“We are enormously pleased to have recruited a professional of Jeff’s caliber, energy, and proven management ability,” said Pelton in the email.