Jay M. Bernhardt

Jay M. Bernhardt has served as the 13th president of Emerson College, situated in Boston, Massachusetts, since his appointment in 2023. Before this, he was the dean at the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin, where he established the Center for Health Communication. His extensive career includes roles at the University of Florida, the University of Georgia, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Originally from New Jersey, he is an active member of several honor societies and serves on the boards of various prominent organizations. Bernhardt has garnered multiple awards for his leadership and academic contributions. He is a dedicated advocate for mental health and supports various charities and nonprofits. Additionally, he has a profound interest in the arts, theater, and culinary exploration. In his role at Emerson College, which also includes California and the Netherlands campuses, he is committed to leading with integrity and fostering an environment conducive to academic and personal growth. He took over leadership following Bill Gilligan, who served as the interim president since 2021. Previously, at the University of Texas at Austin, starting in March 2016, he served as dean of the Moody College of Communication and was the inaugural director of its Center for Health Communication. His academic roles included professorships in the Department of Communication Studies and the Stan Richards School of Advertising and Public Relations. Jay M. Bernhardt obtained his Ph.D. in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his M.P.H. and B.A. degrees from Rutgers University. His achievements include prestigious awards such as the John T. McGovern Health Communication Award and the Charles Atkin Outstanding Translational Health Communication Scholar Award.