Jay Blanton

Vice President for University Relations

Jay Blanton is the vice president for University Relations at the University of Kentucky. Previously, he served as associate vice president and chief communications officer and executive director of public relations and marketing. Prior to his work at UK, he served in the private sector for PR firms in Lexington and Louisville and for the Keeneland Association. He also worked in politics and government, serving as director of communications for former Kentucky Treasurer Jonathan Miller, deputy communications director for former Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson and communications director for former Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear. Blanton started his career in journalism and has written for several newspapers in Kentucky and Indiana. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in education, both from UK.