C. Jay Hertzog grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He earned a B.S in music education, and an M.Ed. and D. Ed. in educational leadership, all from Penn State. His post-doctoral studies were at the University of Wyoming.
From 1968-1987, Jay was an elementary general music teacher, high school marching band director, assistant middle school principal, middle school principal, and an assistant superintendent. From 1987 until his retirement in 2009, he worked in higher education, advancing through the ranks at Valdosta State University (Georgia), served as chair of the Department of Clinical and Professional Studies at Augusta State University (Georgia), and retired as the Dean of Education at Slippery Rock University (Pennsylvania). During his 21-year career in higher education, he chaired 9 dissertation committees, served on 19 dissertation committees, and was a consultant on 5 additional committees. He has co-authored 5 books, published 36 peer-reviewed articles, and made 115 peer-reviewed presentations at state and national conferences. His groundbreaking work on student transition from middle school to high school (along with his research partner) received national recognition from the National School Boards Association, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and the National Middle School Association. For his work in and dedication to the field of education, he received the 2006 Penn State University College of Education “Excellence in Education Award.”
Following his retirement from Slippery Rock University in 2009 he was awarded the distinction of Dean Emeritus. He then served as president-elect, president and past-president of the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators (PAC-TE) from 2010-2016 and as PAC-TE’s Executive Director from 2017-2021.
Jay is an accomplished pianist and enjoys playing the piano and guitar. He and his wife enjoy traveling throughout Europe by themselves and with friends and family.