Emerson College is led by an accomplished group of executive-level and academic administrators who are passionate about the College’s mission and have backgrounds relevant to our areas of study.
President
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Jay BernhardtPresidentDr. Jay M. Bernhardt serves as the 13th president of Emerson College, an extraordinary institution of higher learning dedicated to the study and advancement of communication, media, and the arts. An accomplished and visionary leader, scholar, and public servant, Dr. Bernhardt brings extensive experience in executive administration, scholarship, and strategic communication to the role, coupled with a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and inclusion.
President's Council
The President’s Council consists of Emerson’s executive-level leaders. They are responsible for the overall governance of the College and the success of our students.
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Alexandra SocaridesVice President, Academic Affairs and ProvostDr. Alexandra Socarides began serving as the provost and vice president for academic affairs on July 1, 2024. As Emerson’s provost, she provides strategic vision, leadership, and support for all aspects of the academic enterprise: academic planning, program development at the undergraduate and graduate levels, assessment, hiring of faculty, advancement of faculty research and creative work, excellence in teaching, and global engagement initiatives.
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Christie AngladeVice President, Student AffairsAs vice president of student affairs, Christie Anglade shapes an exceptional student experience across all of Emerson College’s campuses. She leads a range of student-focused departments that support personal growth, well-being, and a strong sense of community, reflecting the richness of the College’s vibrant and varied student population. Partnering with executive leadership and campus colleagues, she works to ensure that students from all backgrounds have the access, support, and opportunity to succeed, contribute meaningfully, and lead with confidence and purpose in an increasingly interconnected world.
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Carolina AvellanedaVice President and General CounselCarolina Avellaneda is the vice president and general counsel. As general counsel, she manages the institution’s legal and regulatory affairs. She provides strategic counsel to the President, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership, shaping the College’s legal strategy and ensuring compliance, governance, and risk management across all institutional operations.
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Brian BasgenVice President, Digital and Physical InfrastructureBrian Basgen is the vice president for digital and physical infrastructure. He oversees six departments: Information Technology (IT), Media Technologies and Production (MTP), Web and Digital Services, WERS 88.9FM, Facilities, and Business Services.
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Matt BoyceVice President, Enrollment ManagementDr. Matt Boyce is the vice president for enrollment management. He manages the recruitment and support of creative, diverse, talented undergraduate and graduate students worldwide. He is also a critical member of the President’s Council, advising on student recruitment, enrollment, financial aid, and Emerson’s positioning in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
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Jon Derek CroteauVice President, Strategy, Innovation and Institutional InitiativesDr. Jon Derek Croteau ’98 is the vice president of strategy, innovation, and institutional initiatives. He is a key member of the President’s Council, providing leadership and oversight to the Strategic Plan, College-wide initiatives, and special projects on behalf of the Office of the President. He is also an affiliated faculty member in the Department of Communication Studies.
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Allison DawsonVice President, Institutional AdvancementAllison Dawson is the vice president for institutional advancement. In this role, she oversees alumni engagement and fundraising initiatives in support of the College’s mission. The departments under her supervision include Advancement Communications and Events, Advancement Services, Alumni Relations, and Development.
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Kelly Devers-FranklinVice President, Marketing and Communications
Kelly Devers-Franklin ‘99, is the vice president of marketing and communications. She leads the external and internal communications teams, including media and public relations, digital and social media, institutional and internal communications, and marketing and branding.
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Shaya Gregory PokuVice President, Community, Culture, & BelongingShaya Gregory Poku is vice president for community, culture, and belonging. She leads institutional efforts to strengthen the Emerson experience and advance the College’s values of creativity, innovation, inclusion, curiosity, equity, expression, and collaboration.
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Richard MadonnaVice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Richard A. (Rich) Madonna, Jr., is the Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Rich will oversee all financial matters, including finance, budgeting and planning, treasury services, risk management, accounts payable, business intelligence, payroll, contracting, and procurement. He will help us to modernize our financial operations to enhance service, develop new revenue streams, and foster greater cross-unit collaboration and partnerships.
Provost's Council
The Provost’s Council consists of Emerson’s academic affairs leaders. They are responsible for Emerson’s academic programs and faculty.
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Amy AnsellDirector of the Marlboro Institute & Senior Advisor to the ProvostDr. Amy Ansell is the Director of the Marlboro Institute, Senior Advisor to the Provost and professor of Sociology. Her scholarly interests revolve around the intersection of race and ethnicity, political sociology, cultural studies, and human rights.
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Brooke KnightDean of the Faculty & Associate ProvostBrooke Knight is the dean of the faculty & associate provost. His interactive artwork is currently centered around surveillance, webcams, and remote control, and the relationship between text and landscape.
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Maria KoundouraAssociate Provost, Academic ProgramsDr. Maria Koundoura is the associate provost for academic programs. She also holds the rank of full professor of literature and transnational cultures in the Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing, where she served as department chair for two terms.
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Paul MihailidisProfessor & Interim Dean, School of CommunicationDr. Paul Mihailidis is a professor of civic media and journalism and the interim Dean for the School of Communication. He teaches on the topics of media literacy, civic media, community activism, and digital media and culture. He is also faculty chair and director of the Salzburg Academy on Media and Global Change.
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Anthony PinderVice Provost, Global Engagement and ProgramsDr. Anthony Pinder is the vice provost for global engagement and programs. His research and professional interests focus on the international dimensions of higher education at the institutional, system, national, and international levels; student global learning outcomes/assessment; and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
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Jan Roberts-BreslinDean, Graduate and Professional Studies and Interim Dean, School of the ArtsJan Roberts-Breslin is the dean of graduate and professional studies and the interim dean of the School of the Arts. She served as interim provost from 2021 to 2024. She is an independent media artist whose work has been broadcast on PBS and has received national and international festival awards.
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Brent SmithAssociate Vice President, Executive EducationDr. Brent Smith is the Associate Vice President, Executive Education and professor of Marketing. He is an accomplished teacher, scholar, consultant, and practitioner with multifaceted expertise in strategy, analytics, ethics, and global business.