Jay M. Bernhardt

Jay M. Bernhardt is currently the 13th president of Emerson College, based in Boston, Massachusetts, a role he stepped into in 2023. Previously, he served as the dean of the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin, where he notably founded the Center for Health Communication. His extensive career includes key roles at the University of Florida, the University of Georgia, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Born in New Jersey, he is an active member of various honor societies and serves on the boards of multiple esteemed organizations. Bernhardt is recognized for his significant contributions to academia and leadership, particularly in health communication. He strongly advocates mental health and supports numerous charities and nonprofit organizations. Additionally, he is keenly interested in the arts, theater, and culinary exploration. In his current position at Emerson College, which also includes California and the Netherlands campuses, Bernhardt is committed to leading, focusing on fostering an environment conducive to academic and personal growth. He succeeded Bill Gilligan, who served as interim president since 2021. Before his current role, his leadership at the Moody College of Communication began in March 2016, where he also established its Center for Health Communication. His tenure there included professorships in the Department of Communication Studies and the Stan Richards School of Advertising and Public Relations. Bernhardt also founded Digital Health Impact, Inc. in 2011 in Gainesville, Florida, focusing on consulting in digital health technologies and health communication. His tenure at the University of Florida was marked by his leadership in developing digital health-focused academic programs and research initiatives. He earned his Ph.D. in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his M.P.H. and B.A. from Rutgers University. His achievements include receiving the John T. McGovern Health Communication Award and the Charles Atkin Outstanding Translational Health Communication Scholar Award. Living in Boston with his wife, Cassandra, Jay M. Bernhardt continues to blend his professional endeavors with his interests in the arts and philanthropy, reflecting the values of Emerson College.