On January 1, 1946, the Johns Hopkins University established a full-time office of public relations under Lynn Poole. Poole, as the Director of Public Relations, established the purpose of public relations for the University: to inform the public of scholarly achievements and activities at the University. In 1965, James C. Butler was appointed Director of Institutional Public Relations, which combined public relations for all the Johns Hopkins Institutions.

The position of Director was elevated to Vice President under Ross Jones in 1968. However, the office underwent a change in title four times during Jones' tenure, reflecting changes in responsibility. Between 1968 and 1977, the Vice President for University Affairs was primarily concerned with public relations, development projects, and alumni relations for the Homewood campus. In 1977, the title was changed to Vice President for Institutional Affairs to include responsibility for public relations for all the University Institutions, especially the School of Medicine. The title was changed again to Vice President for Public Affairs in 1979, when the development function was assigned to a newly-created vice presidency. Under Ross Jones, the office continued to concern itself with public information, special events and publications, including the Johns Hopkins Magazine, Community Affairs, University Collections, and Alumni Relations. In 1982 the office was split again, with Jones assuming the title of Vice President and Secretary. He retained control of University Collections, Trustee liaison, and he carried out special assignments for the President and Chairman of the Board. B. J. Norris, with the new title of Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs, assumed all of his other responsibilities except Alumni Relations, which began reporting to the Vice President for Development, Robert J. Haley. In addition to his position as Vice President, Ross Jones has also served as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees since 1963. Records documenting Ross Jones' involvement in public relations will be found in Record Group Number 10.001, Records of the Office of the Secretary.

In 1989, the office of Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs was abolished, with the duties of that position reverting back to Ross Jones as Vice President and Secretary. Through all the changes, the goal of this function has been to advise the president and Management Committee on public affairs strategy and promote cooperation between the University and the community, city and state.