Lynda Bergsma, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor in the University of Arizona Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Director of the Arizona State Office of Rural Program, and Director of the Media Wise Initiative which she founded in 1992. In addition to her teaching, Dr. Bergsma combines a background in media production and education with her training and work in public health to plan and implement programs, develop curricula, provide training and consulting services, and conduct research on the impact of our media culture on public health issues and the efficacy of media literacy education as a health promotion strategy. She is a national leader in the use of media literacy education as a tobacco use prevention education strategy for youth.

A nationally recognized speaker and workshop facilitator, Dr. Bergsma also writes many articles on media literacy. Recently publications include: Effectiveness of Health-Promoting Media Literacy Education: A Systematic Review; Media Literacy and Prevention: Going Beyond "Just Say No" and Empowerment Education: The link Between Media Literacy and Health Promotion.

Dr. Bergsma holds a Master's Degree in Health Education and a Ph.D. in Higher Education and Sociology from the University of Arizona. She was a founding board member of the AMLA, Program Chair for two National Media Education Conferences, 1st Vice President, and has been President since 2004.