Samuel H. Bersola

Samuel H. Bersola serves as dean of students for the graduate school of arts and sciences at Harvard University. With over 30 years of experience in higher education, he previously held the position of assistant vice provost for graduate education at the University of California, Los Angeles. He formerly served as vice president of student services at a California community college and as chief operations officer for residential life at the University of California, Santa Cruz. A first-generation Filipino-American college graduate, Bersola has been a steadfast advocate for equity, inclusion, and diversity throughout his career, implementing programs that have significantly increased the enrollment, retention, and graduation rates of underrepresented and low-income students. His research includes publications on the transitions from high school to college and from college to graduate school. Bersola earned his MA in educational administration and social policy from Harvard University and a PhD in education policy from Stanford University. 

updated 2025