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
-
Jay BernhardtPresidentDr. Jay Bernhardt is the 13th president of Emerson College, as well as an internationally recognized leader in and scholar of health communication.
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.
-
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.
-
Christie AngladeVice President, Student AffairsChristie Anglade is the vice president of student affairs. She provides leadership for a diverse range of student-focused departments, all aimed at supporting student growth and well-being. She works closely with executive leadership and campus partners to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, advance equity-driven initiatives, and enhance student engagement across all of Emerson’s campuses.
-
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.
-
Brian BasgenVice President, Facilities and Technology (interim)Brian Basgen is the interim vice president for facilities and technology. He oversees five departments: Information Technology (IT), Media Technologies and Production (MTP), WERS, Facilities, and Business Services.
-
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.
-
Robert Butler Jr.Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer (interim)Robert J. Butler Jr. is the interim vice president for finance and financial services & CFO. He oversees the accounting, budget, treasury, risk management, payroll, accounts payable, procurement, and financial systems functions at the College. He joined Emerson in April 2018, and his service spans 39 years in higher education, public accounting, and governmental regulatory services.
-
Rebekah CarmichaelVice President, Marketing and CommunicationsRebekah Carmichael is the vice president for marketing and communications. In this role, she leads the College's multichannel marketing and communications strategy to advance Emerson's engagement and reputation with key internal and external audiences. She oversees an office dedicated to telling Emerson’s stories and collaborates with various departments to unify messaging and brand consistency.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Margaret IngsVice President, Government and Community RelationsMargaret “Peggy” Ings is the vice president for government and community relations. She serves as the College’s liaison for communications among municipal, state, and federal agencies in Boston and LA. Her responsibilities also include securing permits and obtaining inspections and approvals from city and state agencies involving construction projects, historic preservation, and life-safety codes.
-
Shaya Gregory PokuVice President, Equity & Social JusticeShaya Gregory Poku is the vice president for equity and social justice. She leads institutional efforts to advance equity, access, and social justice across Emerson’s campuses in the U.S. and abroad.
Provost's Council
The Provost’s Council consists of Emerson’s academic affairs leaders. They are responsible for Emerson’s academic programs and faculty.
-
Amy AnsellProfessor & Dean of Liberal ArtsDr. Amy Ansell is the dean of the Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies and professor of Sociology. Her scholarly interests revolve around the intersection of race and ethnicity, political sociology, cultural studies, and human rights.
-
Kate EichhornDean, School of the ArtsDr. Kate Eichhorn is the dean of the School of the Arts and professor of Visual and Media Arts. She leads Emerson's largest division, which offers 20 undergraduate and graduate programs across the fields of creative writing, publishing, literature, acting, theatre education, comedy, filmmaking, media studies, and media arts production.
-
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.
-
Maria KoundouraAssistant Provost, Strategic ProjectsDr. Maria Koundoura is the assistant provost for strategic projects. 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.
-
Paul MihailidisProfessor & Special Advisor to the ProvostDr. Paul Mihailidis is a professor of civic media and journalism and special advisor to the provost. 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.
-
Anthony PinderVice Provost, Internationalization & EquityDr. Anthony Pinder is the vice provost for internationalization and equity. 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).
-
Jan Roberts-BreslinDean, Graduate and Professional StudiesJan Roberts-Breslin is the dean of graduate and professional studies. 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.
-
Brent SmithDean, School of CommunicationDr. Brent Smith is the dean of the School of Communication and professor of Marketing. He is an accomplished teacher, scholar, consultant, and practitioner with multifaceted expertise in strategy, analytics, ethics, and global business.