UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Emily T. Metzgar, professor and director of the School of Journalism and Media at Kent State University, has been named the new dean of the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State, following a national search. Metzgar’s appointment will begin on July 1.
Metzgar succeeds Denise Bortree, associate dean, professor in the Department of Advertising/Public Relations, and director of the Arthur W. Page Center, who has served as interim dean since June 15, 2025. Bortree was named interim dean following the departure of Marie Hardin, who became president of Quinnipiac University on July 1, 2025. Bortree will continue serving as interim dean until Metzgar officially joins the Bellisario College.
“I am delighted to welcome Dr. Metzgar to Penn State as the next dean of the Bellisario College of Communications,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Fotis Sotiropoulos. “Dr. Metzgar brings a thoughtful vision for strengthening the student experience and preparing graduates to lead and innovate in a rapidly evolving communications landscape. At a time of profound change in communications, educating the next generation of practitioners, scholars and media specialists is more important than ever. Under Dr. Metzgar’s leadership, Penn State will continue to be well positioned as a national leader in communications education and scholarship, and I look forward to working with her as she builds on the college’s many strengths and leads it into an exciting new era.
“I also want to express my appreciation to Dr. Bortree for stepping up and leading the college as interim dean during this time of transition. I know Dr. Bortree will remain a valued asset to the college as she returns to her role as associate dean and professor.”
Metzgar was named director of the School of Media and Journalism at Kent State University in 2020, providing leadership and oversight for more than 600 undergraduates, 30 specialized graduate students and nearly two dozen full-time faculty members. In this role, she has guided a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening the school’s academic environment and student success. Her leadership has included efforts to increase student retention, review course offerings and prerequisites, develop new minors and certificates, modernize facilities, and create new channels for stakeholder communication. She also has directed accreditation and assessment efforts; supervised the development of new courses and programs at the graduate and undergraduate level with an emphasis on AI-forward, student-first outcomes; and oversaw fundraising for the school.
“I am humbled and honored to join the Bellisario College of Communications as its next dean,” Metzgar said. “It is clear this is a special place — one defined by creativity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence. I am excited to support and expand the college’s role as a leader among top research institutions, where innovative scholarship and creative work drive meaningful impact. At the same time, our mission must always center on our students. I look forward to continuing to build cutting-edge experiences that prepare them for life and career success — through new technologies, hands-on learning, and opportunities for experiential learning. Just as important is my commitment to the people who make this college exceptional. I am dedicated to supporting all of our faculty, staff and students and creating an environment where everyone can thrive. It is a privilege to join such a vibrant and distinguished community, and I look forward to working together to build the next chapter in the college’s rich history.”
Metzgar brings a broad professional perspective to her work in media education, with a career that has spanned diplomacy, policy analysis, journalism and academia. Prior to joining Kent State, Metzgar was a faculty member at The Media School at Indiana University from 2008 to 2020, serving as director of the school’s honors program from 2015 to 2018 and director of undergraduate studies from 2018 to 2020. As director of undergraduate studies, Metzgar led all facets of undergraduate education for more than 2,000 students and drove curricular reform, launched new degrees and majors, and coordinated end-to-end course development.
Before embarking on her academic career, Metzgar was a blogger, podcaster, community columnist and contributing editor in Louisiana from 2002 to 2008. From 1997 to 1999 she was a foreign service officer for the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., and China, serving at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. She also analyzed East Asian political-military issues as a research assistant for the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., from 1996 to 1997.
Metzgar’s scholarly research focuses on the intersection of media foreign policy and how shifts in the information environment shape public understanding of international affairs. She is the author of “The JET Program and the U.S.–Japan Relationship: Goodwill Goldmine” and co-editor of “The Course Reflection Project: Faculty Reflections on Teaching Service-Learning.” Her current book project is titled “The American Narrative: U.S. Information Diplomacy Since World War II.” Metzgar’s research has appeared in journals such as the International Journal of Communication, Journalism Practice, New Media & Society, and Political Communication, among others. Her commentary has appeared in such outlets as Columbia Journalism Review, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, and The Conversation.
She is actively involved in professional leadership and service within journalism and communication education. Metzgar is the immediate past president of the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication and recently completed a two-year term on the board of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. She also serves as a site team member for the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.
Metzgar holds a doctorate in media and public affairs from Louisiana State University, a master of arts degree in international politics from George Washington University, and a bachelor of arts degree in political science and French from the University of Michigan.