Bernstein was born in Brooklyn, NY, and grew up in Howell, New Jersey. She was Salutatorian of her class at Howell High School, where she is a member of the school’s Hall of Fame. She attended the University of Maryland, where she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in broadcast journalism. She was a four-time Academic All-American in Gymnastics, receiving the Thomas M. Fields award for excellence in academics and athletics. Bernstein maintains close ties to College Park, serving on the Board of Visitors for the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland and the Advisory Board for the Povich Center for Sports Journalism. She also hosts TerpVision, a quarterly TV program showcasing the University and its notable alumni.