The Jay M. Bernhardt Award for Staff Excellence was created by and named for the sixth dean of Moody College. This award honors a Moody College staff member who has worked at the college for at least one year and who has gone above and beyond their duties to make a significant impact at the college.
2024 Winner - Christie Hodge
Christie Hodge serves as the director of graduate programs, where she oversees the college’s graduate degrees and manages the distribution of more than half a million dollars in fellowships to Moody’s graduate students annually. She played a crucial role in launching Moody’s Option III programs which allow a unique group of graduate students to gain skills in strategic communication, sports communication, and communication leadership.
Inaugural Winner 2023
Kyle Clark, assistant dean for advising and director of student support and advisor to the Communication Council, received the inaugural Jay M. Bernhardt Award for Staff Excellence. Kyle has worked for UT Austin for 22 years in numerous roles serving students.