Jay Summach, PhD

About

Dr. Jay Summach brings two decades of diverse experience in education, emphasizing the power of curiosity and critical reflection for meaningful learning. Holding a Master's from the University of Alberta and a PhD in music theory from Yale, his academic focus centered on musical structure and 20th-century pop. At Yale's Graduate Teaching Centre, Jay coordinated programs in curriculum design and student writing. Subsequently, as Associate Director of First-Year Writing at Duke University, Jay explored innovative teaching methods and mentored new instructors in course design and assessment. Since returning to Alberta in 2015, Jay has expanded his expertise into workforce learning, digital strategy, and applied AI. He joined the University of Alberta's Centre for Teaching and Learning in 2025.