College Leadership
Emerson College is led by an accomplished team of academic and executive administrators with deep experience in the fields and industries relevant to our areas of study, and a passionate commitment to the College’s mission.
President Jay Bernhardt
Dr. Jay M. Bernhardt is the 13th president of Emerson College, and a visionary leader, scholar, and public servant. President Bernhardt brings to the role extensive experience in executive administration, scholarship, and strategic communication, coupled with a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and inclusion. He has published on health communication, media, and technology, and has received many awards and honors for his contributions to higher education, public health, and 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 Socarides
Vice President, Academic Affairs and Provost
Dr. Alexandra Socarides provides strategic vision, leadership, and support for all aspects of the academic enterprise at the College: 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 Anglade
Vice President, Student Affairs
Christie Anglade shapes an exceptional student experience across the College’s three 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.
Carolina Avellaneda
Vice President and General Counsel
Carolina Avellaneda manages the College’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 Basgen
Vice President, Digital and Physical Infrastructure
Brian Basgen oversees six departments at the College: Information Technology (IT), Media Technologies and Production (MTP), Web and Digital Services, WERS 88.9 FM, Facilities, and Business Services.
Allison Dawson
Vice President, Institutional Advancement
Allison Dawson 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.
Kelly Devers-Franklin ’99
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Kelly Devers-Franklin leads the teams responsible for telling the College’s story to external and internal audiences. She oversees media relations, print, digital and social media, institutional communications, marketing, photography, videography, brand and design. She and her team are focused on stakeholder engagement, expanding Emerson’s reach and impact, and highlighting the exceptional work and unique strengths of our community.
Shaya Gregory Poku
Vice President, Community, Culture, & Belonging
Shaya Gregory Poku leads efforts to strengthen the College’s experience and advance the its values of creativity, innovation, inclusion, curiosity, equity, expression, and collaboration.
Elizabeth Holland
Chief of Staff to the President
Elizabeth Holland serves as Chief of Staff to President Bernhardt, where she oversees key institutional initiatives, coordinates efforts across campus departments, and serves as a liaison to the Board of Trustees and the College’s external stakeholders.
Richard Madonna
Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Richard A. (Rich) Madonna Jr. oversees the College’s financial matters, including finance, budgeting and planning, treasury services, risk management, accounts payable, business intelligence, payroll, contracting, and procurement.
James Montgomery-Hyde
Vice President, Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer
James Montgomery-Hyde manages the College’s human resources division, including compensation and benefits, employee relations, labor relations, compliance, Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), talent acquisition, and talent development.
Luke D. Schultheis
Vice President, Enrollment Management
Dr. Luke D. Schultheis leads the team charged with attracting, admitting, and enrolling students, and with providing students and families the financial tools that allow them to invest in an Emerson education.
Provost’s Council
The Provost’s Council is composed of Emerson’s Academic Affairs leaders. They are responsible for leading the College’s academic programs and faculty.
Amy Ansell
Director, Marlboro Institute and Senior Advisor to the Provost
Dr. Amy Ansell’s scholarly interests revolve around the intersection of race and ethnicity, political sociology, cultural studies, and human rights.
Shaun Clarke
Interim Dean, School of Film, Television, and Media Arts
As a director of photography, his work spans a wide range of productions, including short and feature-length narrative films, documentaries, music videos, and commercials.
Amy Cook
Dean, School of Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies
Dr. Amy Cook’s scholarship integrates research from the cognitive sciences into critical questions within theater and performance, with a particular emphasis on Shakespeare.
Brooke Knight
Dean of the Faculty and Associate Provost
Brooke Knight’s interactive artwork is centered around surveillance, webcams, and remote control, and the relationship between text and landscape.
Maria Koundoura
Professor and Associate Provost, Academic Programs
Dr. Maria Koundoura is the Associate Provost for Academic Programs and a professor of literature and transnational cultures in the Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing, where she previously served as department chair for two terms. She has written extensively on nationalism, multiculturalism, postcolonial cultures, and globalization.
De-nin Lee
Interim Dean, Graduate Studies
Dr. De-nin Lee is an art historian who specializes in the history of art in China. Her current research interest lies at the intersection of Chinese landscape and environmental concerns.
Paul Mihailidis
Professor and Interim Dean, School of Communication
Dr. Paul Mihailidis is a professor of civic media and journalism who 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.
Brent Smith
Professor and Associate Vice President, Executive Education
Dr. Brent Smith is an accomplished teacher, scholar, consultant, and practitioner with multifaceted expertise in strategy, analytics, ethics, and global business. He has developed several courses for students in undergraduate, graduate, international, executive, and online programs.