Behind the forms and deadlines are professionals who sit with students at some of the most uncertain and emotionally charged moments of their college experience.
The Registrar's Office is often seen as the place students go to handle paperwork, and the day-to-day reality is far more nuanced than that. Whether a student is stepping away for medical reasons, navigating a family crisis, or simply realizing they need more time to find their footing, the people in this office are often the ones helping them understand that leaving is not the same as failing, and that a path back is (almost) always possible. At its best, this work is about translating institutional complexity into clarity, and ensuring that every student who walks out the door knows the institution still believes in them and is invested in helping them get to the finish line successfully.
Anthony Rodriguez is the Assistant Director for Student Leaves and Returns at Emerson College. Check out what he has to say about working in the Registrar's Office.
What drew you to higher education specifically, rather than a similar role in another sector?
I was drawn to higher education during my undergraduate years at Emerson College. I became heavily involved in Orientation, and served as a core planning member for the Fall 2019 Orientation program. This experience gave me the opportunity to work with Student Affairs professionals who, in most cases, treated me as a colleague rather than just a student. Through the relationships I built and the programs we created, I realized this was a field where I could see myself building a career.
As the first person in my family to attend college, my own journey often felt lonely until I found a community that showed me I didn't have to navigate it alone. Coming from a limited-income background, I know not every student enters college with the same opportunities or support systems. I wanted to become the mentor and guide who helps students realize they don't have to navigate college by themselves.
What's something people outside your office frequently misunderstand about what you do?
I think the biggest misconception about my role is that I simply process forms and enforce policies. While those responsibilities are certainly part of the job, they overlook the most meaningful aspect of my work: guiding students through one of the most significant transitions
I meet with students to ensure they understand all of their options and feel empowered in making the decision that's right for them. I sit at a unique point in a student's college experience. I won't be part of every student's journey, but for the students I do work with, I'm often the person helping them out the door, and, hopefully, the first person welcoming them back when they're ready to return.
Approaching this work with empathy, curiosity, and care is essential because students remember how they're treated during moments of uncertainty. Even when stepping away is the right decision, we want students to leave feeling heard, respected, and confident that the institution still cares about their success.
Beyond working directly with students, I also spend a great deal of time improving processes so they're easier to understand and navigate. Leaves and returns involve complex institutional and federal requirements, but students shouldn't need to become experts in higher education policy to understand their next steps. Part of my role is translating that complexity into clear, accessible language and creating student-centered processes that reduce confusion, lower stress, and allow students to focus on what matters most: their well-being and their future.
What would break, slow down, or fall through the cracks if your position didn't exist?
Without my role, students would lose a guide during one of the most uncertain moments of their college experience. Students considering a leave of absence or withdrawal are often balancing academic concerns with personal, financial, medical, or family challenges. My role is to help them understand their options, think through what comes next, and leave with a plan they feel confident about.
Equally important, I help ensure students don't fall through the cracks. Taking time away from college often requires coordination across multiple offices, policies, and timelines. My role is to connect those pieces, anticipate potential barriers, and make the process as clear and seamless as possible.
Especially in today's higher education landscape, retention isn't simply about encouraging students to stay enrolled. It's about ensuring students know they still have a path forward, whether that's continuing their education now or returning when the time is right.
How has your role changed over the years in response to student needs or institutional change?
In just four years, I've worked across three very different divisions, each with its own perspective on the student experience.
I began my career at Emerson College as an Assistant Director of Student Success immediately after graduate school, my alma mater, and in this role I grew tremendously through both successes and challenges. I was fortunate to work alongside colleagues who pushed me to grow, challenged my thinking, and helped me become more confident in my work and leadership.
In December 2025, amid budget constraints and declining enrollment, the Office of Student Success was restructured and my position was eliminated. Emerson offered me a new role as Program Coordinator in the Cultural Engagement Center. Although the transition wasn't one I would have chosen, it broadened my perspective on what student success can look like.
In May 2026, I transitioned once again, this time into the Registrar's Office, where I now work with students taking leaves of absence, withdrawing, and returning to the college.
While these transitions weren't always by choice, they've given me a broader perspective of how colleges function and how interconnected our work really is. I also became a more adaptable, collaborative, and student-centered professional than I would have become had I stayed in a single office.
Anthony holds a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing from Emerson College, and an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration and Policy Studies from Boston University.
Do you have a colleague who is doing impactful work on a college campus? I’d love to connect and highlight their work!
