Alicia Taylor Bard Named Senior Director of Media Relations

Berklee has named Alicia Taylor Bard senior director in the Office of Media Relations. With her extensive background as a communications specialist, Bard will oversee and develop Berklee’s relationship with the press and media, connecting them to the students, faculty, and programs that define Berklee as the world’s leading college for contemporary music. She assumed the role on March 29, 2021.

For over 20 years, Bard has worked in various positions in government, media relations, and journalism, with a focus on communication strategy, research, writing, and relationship building. She was an investigative reporter with Philadelphia's NBC affiliate, WCAU-TV, for seven years, with additional prior experience working as a reporter in the Baltimore and Tulsa markets. She was director of communications for the Philadelphia Department of Human Services, where she helped strategize and guide the agency through a high-profile two-year transition to privatize case management services. She also handled all of the department’s press inquiries and interviews. Bard served as deputy communications director for the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Communications, and most recently as communications and legislative director for the office of Massachusetts State Representative Marjorie Decker. 

“Berklee’s Office of Media Relations has a remarkable track record of producing and placing stories about students and faculty in all areas of news media,” said Tom Riley, Berklee’s vice president for External Affairs. “With Alicia’s background in broadcast media, public relations, and leadership, I am confident she will greatly expand the impact of Berklee in media locally, nationally, and internationally.” 

Bard earned her Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism from Howard University in Washington, D.C. An avid tennis and football fan, Bard enjoys traveling and frequently visiting her hometown of New Orleans.