Jay M. Bernhardt is a distinguished health communication researcher and the current president of Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. A seasoned academic leader, he has an extensive education, administration, and public health background. He assumed the presidency of Emerson College in 2023, having formerly served as the dean of the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin since March 2016. Under his leadership in Texas, he founded the Center for Health Communication, significantly enhancing the college's reputation and impact.
Born and raised in New Jersey, he embarked on his academic journey at Rutgers University, where he studied sociology and computer science.He was actively involved in student leadership, serving as the president of Phi Delta Theta, and was inducted into the Order of Omega and the Cap and Skull Honor Society. He later pursued further education at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and earned his M.P.H. and B.A. degrees in health education and sociology from Rutgers University. His academic pursuits continued at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a Ph.D. in public health and served as the student union board chair. Before his tenure at the University of Texas, Bernhardt held prominent positions at the University of Florida and the University of Georgia.
His career also includes significant federal service; in 2005, he was appointed the first permanent director of the National Center for Health Marketing at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where he managed a large team and substantial budget. In addition to his academic roles, he founded Digital Health Impact, Inc. in 2011 in Gainesville, Florida. This organization focuses on consulting on scientific and strategic applications of digital health technologies and health communication, serving a diverse clientele that includes academic institutions, government agencies, nonprofits, and private-sector organizations.
Bernhardt's leadership and scholarly contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, such as the John T. McGovern Health Communication Award, Charles Atkin Outstanding Translational Health Communication Scholar Award, Everett M. Rogers Award for Excellence in Health Communication, American Public Health Association Excellence in Leadership Award, and the Jay S. Trotman Memorial Award for Creative Leadership.He is also the namesake of the Bernhardt Student Leadership Award for Excellence, presented annually by the American Public Health Association.
Beyond his professional endeavors, he is a dedicated mental health advocate and philanthropist, supporting various charities and nonprofits. He enjoys art, theater, traveling, and exploring new cuisines with his wife, Cassandra. Together, they reside in Boston, Massachusetts, and cherish time spent with their family and close friends. His commitment to health communication, academic leadership, and community engagement make him a prominent educational and public health figure.