The Pivot with Jonathan Earnest

Jonathan Earnest works to boost college access and student success.

What’s your role in public health?

I’m the director of admissions within student affairs at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.

Access to higher education is a public health issue — it’s a social determinant of health — and I like being part of systemic change on that front. I’m also proud to work with and support students, faculty and staff who are change agents in local and global communities.

I often get asked by prospective students, “What makes Gillings unique?” Community is at the heart of everything we do at the Gillings School. That’s what keep me here and that’s what sets us apart.

Can you describe your focus area in one sentence?

I lead a team that creates, implements and promotes best practices that boost college access and increase student success.

This is important work for us to be engaged in within our own community and also globally. It’s about the democratization of education.

No matter what our role, we should be intentional about equitable practices, accessibility and fostering a sense of belonging. I appreciate that, at Gillings, this is not a one-off conversation but rather something we strive to embed in all we do. To me, that’s critical to being “passionately public” both in public education and in public health.

What brought you to public health?

I would have studied it if I’d known what it was earlier in my life. As an early admissions recruiter, I met an academic adviser who shared an analogy with me: Picture a river that people are falling into. Doctors and nurses and other professionals we all grew up learning about are pulling the victims out, assessing them and treating their injuries one by one.  The public health professional goes to the source to find out why people are falling into the river in the first place and addresses that problem so it doesn’t happen again.

Public health is prevention. It’s about systems and communities. It redefines the unacceptable.

Most of my career has been related to public health, though maybe indirectly. I earned a master’s degree in rehabilitation and mental health counseling and I am also a certified health coach and personal trainer. I applied to a student success role with the Gillings School’s Department of Nutrition about seven years ago because I wanted to continue working with students, increase access to higher education and contribute to a field that aligns with my values. I became the School’s director of admissions about two years ago. I’ve worked with recruitment and admissions as well as college access programs for about 16 years now.  It seems my real job is to stay in college forever!

How have you pivoted during your public health career?

When I was with the nutrition department, I loved my role because I was engaged with students throughout their time at the School. I’m still connected with many people I advised in that position, but my new role allows me to forge relationships with faculty, staff and students across Gillings departments. It also allows me to have more influence on policies and best practices.

The internal and external pressures on higher education have changed so much in the past year. It feels like every day is a pivot, or perhaps an invitation to be innovative. It’s important for us all to love what we do. There are too many people counting on us for us not to be fully invested in our work. I’m grateful to work with a team of people who truly love what they do, and who are genuinely passionate about helping students pursue their interest in public health.

Who are you when you’re at home?

I’m a student — of life and in a doctoral program! I’m starting the dissertation phase of a doctorate in higher ed leadership.  Studying higher education and discussing challenges in the field with my brilliant cohort have really helped me to remember my “why.”

Jonathan and his wife visit Stonehenge.

I spend as much time as I can outdoors. My partner and I have been married for 17 years. We have two dogs named Stu and Tommy Pickles. We love to travel, binge watch terrible reality TV and go to local trivia nights. We really enjoy living in Durham, especially for the food scene.

I’m also a painter. I’ve always been into art and, as a kid, wanted to be an animator for Disney. Instead, I got a business degree! I returned to painting during the pandemic, largely as a response to political and social events. People commissioned pieces from me and I was proud to raise funds to support voting rights, Black Lives Matter and The Trevor Project.

Read more interviews in The Pivot series.

Published: July 11, 2024