Dear Campus Community,
After a successful national search, we are pleased to announce that Michael Bolden has been selected to serve as the next dean of the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. He will begin his appointment on August 1, 2025.
A nationally respected journalist with decades of experience across media, philanthropy, and higher education, Bolden brings a deep commitment to training the next generation of journalists. He currently serves as the CEO and executive director of the American Press Institute (API), an 80-year-old nonprofit that supports local and community-based media through research, programs, and data-analytic tools.
At API, Bolden has led efforts to foster healthy and responsive news organizations that empower communities to participate fully in our democracy. His vision for Berkeley Journalism centers on preparing the next generation of journalists to meet the evolving information needs of a complex, diverse society. That includes educating “complete journalists,” who will help rebuild the news industry, guide resilient media businesses and create meaningful feedback loops with members of communities whose voices have often been left out of the news and information ecosystem, while also upholding the excellence in storytelling that is a hallmark of Berkeley Journalism.
Bolden’s distinguished career includes roles at The Washington Post, where he led the award-winning transportation and development team, and at The San Francisco Chronicle, where he was director of culture and operations, one of the masthead editors.
A mentor, educator, and advocate for inclusive journalism, Bolden has helped guide media leaders through social and economic disruption, bringing a strategic and civic-minded lens to every role he has held. He has served on the boards of the Society of Professional Journalists Foundation, the Student Press Law Center, and EdSource.
Bolden holds a Master of Liberal Arts from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alabama. His broad experience, passion for public-interest journalism, and commitment to cultivating the next generation of storytellers and media innovators will elevate Berkeley Journalism’s unique mission and public impact.
We would like to express our deep appreciation to the search advisory committee for all of their efforts in the recruitment process for this important role. We are also very grateful to Acting Dean Elena Conis, who has graciously agreed to continue in her role through July 31, 2025.
Please join us in congratulating Michael Bolden on his appointment and welcoming him to the Berkeley community. To learn more about Michael Bolden, please visit this Berkeley Journalism news story
Sincerely,
Richard K. Lyons
Chancellor
Benjamin E. Hermalin
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
This message has been sent to all faculty and staff, and forwarded separately to students in the Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.