Performances + Events
Academic and Student Affairs
The Office of Academic and Student Affairs champions every student’s journey by building community, supporting well-being, and inspiring the confidence to create, learn, and lead.
Guided by the values of connection, collaboration, care, and confidence, we help you thrive as both an artist and a person.
Contact Us
St. Botolph, Room SB 224
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Academic and Student Affairs
Our Core Values
Everything we do in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs is shaped by four core values. They guide how we work, the programs we offer, and the ways we support you as a student and artist at NEC.
Connection
We help you feel seen, heard, and included by building meaningful relationships, encouraging you to share ideas, and fostering belonging in the NEC community so you can grow both personally and artistically with confidence.
Collaboration
We create opportunities across programs and perspectives that bring students together. By learning from and with one another, you can develop leadership skills, engage more deeply, and contribute to a vibrant, inclusive campus culture that supports artistic and personal growth.
Care
Your well-being matters. We provide resources and support for your artistic, academic, and personal life, helping you manage challenges, access guidance, and feel supported throughout your NEC journey so you can thrive in every part of your experience.
Confidence
We want you to feel prepared and capable in pursuing your goals. By developing skills, resilience, and self-belief, you gain the strength to overcome challenges, embrace opportunities, and move forward with a bold sense of purpose for your future.
Community and Belonging
The Huddle
The Huddle in SB 203 is your place to connect, recharge, and find community.
Part of the Office of Academic and Student Affairs, it brings together resources, programs, and opportunities like the Intercultural Institute. Here you can meet new people, share ideas, and discover support that helps you feel at home, grow as an artist, and thrive throughout your NEC journey.
MEET THE DEANS
Monique Van Willingh
Assistant Dean for Student Success and Community
St. Botolph, Room SB224D
How to Connect with OASA
Not sure where to go with a question? This guide helps you find the right staff member in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs for advising, housing, wellness, and more.
Academic Advising
Building deep and consistent relationships with students.
NEC equips students with the tools to take personal responsibility for their educational success, preparing and empowering them to be lifelong learners and members of a global community. Academic advisors help students explore majors and minors, register for courses, set professional goals, identify co-curricular opportunities that foster growth, and connect with additional support services.
Counseling and Wellness
Providing student-centered care designed to optimize academic achievement and performance excellence.
Through’s NEC’s Counseling and Wellness Center and a partnership with the Tufts Center for Collegiate Wellness, NEC students have full access to Tufts’ slate of medical services, including after-hours and weekend care.
Student Resources
Residential Life
Live in the heart of Boston.
A place to lay your head—and so much more. The Student Life and Performance Center is home away from home for NEC undergraduates.
Get Involved
Clubs and Organizations
Join a student organization or start your own! Become a student leader or expand your literary portfolio by writing for The Penguin, NEC’s student-run monthly newspaper. All students are welcome to participate in clubs and organizations — there’s something for everyone!
New Student Orientation
New Student Orientation is a time for new students to meet their classmates, get familiar with Boston, engage with faculty, and dive into their music, all while having fun.
Read More
Commencement
Commencement at New England Conservatory is a celebratory event that honors the hard work and achievements of our graduating students, featuring inspiring speeches, musical performances, and the conferring of degrees in a ceremony that reflects the artistry and dedication of the NEC community.
Read More
