CCM welcomes Rachel Roberts as Associate Dean of Strategy and Operations

UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Rachel Roberts, EdD, as CCM's inaugural Associate Dean of Strategy and Operations. In this newly-created role, Roberts will partner with Dean Jutras and other college leaders to advance strategic, operational and academic priorities. Roberts is nationally recognized for developing leaders and advancing how musicians and arts organizations learn, adapt and lead in an evolving arts landscape. Her appointment officially begins on July 6, 2026.

Roberts is recognized for advancing how musicians are prepared for professional life. Grounded in early career experiences in orchestras and performing arts organizations, she has developed innovative curricula and co-curricular programs that integrate leadership, organizational learning, and real-world application. She has served as a consultant and advisor to institutions nationally and internationally, and was the founding Director of the Entrepreneurial Musicianship Department at New England Conservatory. Her work emphasizes equipping musicians to lead within and across organizations, navigate evolving career pathways, and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the broader arts sector. Her doctoral research examined the effectiveness of leadership development in graduate education, informing her approach to program design and evaluation.

In addition to her academic leadership, Roberts is an active facilitator and speaker, working with institutions and organizations nationally and internationally, including at the Global Leaders Institute, College Music Society, and the Eastman Leadership Conference. She also serves as a mentor and advisor to emerging and mid-career professionals across the profession. Her scholarship and practice focus on how leadership is taught, learned and applied within creative disciplines, with particular attention to the role of higher education in shaping the future of the arts sector. Her work includes participation as a co-principal investigator for a National Science Foundation-supported initiative exploring the intersection of music, technology, AI and career preparation.

Roberts has also served as a volunteer facilitator for the American Association of University Women salary negotiation workshops, having trained over 1,500 individuals. These sessions equip participants with practical skills for effective salary negotiation while promoting transparency and advocacy around wage equity. In 2015, she engaged in international teaching and research across 10 countries in Southeast Asia, including a socio-economic and political research project and a two-month teaching fellowship. Grounded in her own experience as a flutist, pianist, fifer and bagpiper, her work reflects a continued connection to musicianship and the lived experience of artists. 

Roberts holds a Doctor of Education from the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education and Human Development, with a focus on higher education leadership; a Master of Education from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, with a concentration in leadership and organizational development; and a Bachelor of Music from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied flute and piccolo and earned the Arts Leadership Certificate. 

Outside of her professional work, Roberts is an active practitioner and advocate for personal and community well-being. She has taught women’s self-defense and trained in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, and is an avid runner, hiker, and kayaker. A committed member of local communities, she participated in therapy dog visits throughout the greater Rochester, NY area with her cocker spaniel, Cocoa, as part of RocDog. She also enjoys exploring plant-based cooking and new vegan recipes.

"Rachel Roberts is a thought leader in our industry. With her background in strategic innovation and entrepreneurship in both the performing arts and higher education sectors, she brings a wealth of relevant insight and experience to the new role of Associate Dean of Strategy and Operations at CCM," said Jutras. "I am grateful to our search committee chair Andy Villemez and committee members Elaine Cox, Tyler Ehrlich, Meg Hensley, Michele Kay, Peter Landgren, Catherine Losada, Kristy Swift and Drew Thomas for their efforts with this successful search."

Featured image at the top: Rachel Roberts, who will serve as CCM's inaugural Associate Dean of Strategy and Operations. Photo/Lauren Sageer