Janna Flint
In her playbook of life, Janna Flint鈥檚 winning combination for a meaningful career is simple鈥攚ork at a place you love with people you love.
A native of Sturgis, Flint graduated from MSU in 1992 with a bachelor鈥檚 in office administration from the College of Education. Following her graduation, she worked for one year at the Starkville Chamber of Commerce before returning to her alma mater, where she spent four years in the President鈥檚 Office and nine years in the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development. Now in her 12th year as an administrative assistant in the Department of Athletics, Flint is one happy Bulldog.
鈥淚t was home,鈥 she said of her decision to return to MSU. 鈥淚 never thought of going anywhere else. The university is a great place to work, and I鈥檓 happy with what I鈥檓 doing.鈥
Throughout the year, Flint assists with scheduling, coordinating meetings and completing other important tasks for MSU Athletic Director John Cohen.
鈥淛ohn truly cares and is vested in this place. It鈥檚 nice to have the stability he provides,鈥 Flint said of the MSU alumnus and former baseball coach who has led the Bulldog athletic program since 2016. 鈥淚t makes me happy to see my boss do well. He is a great leader. My role is to help build him up and others on our team. I want them to excel. There is no 鈥業鈥 in team. That鈥檚 part of being in the Hail State family.鈥
Flint strives each day to be a go-to person for her department, which she said provides a supportive environment conducive to growth.
鈥淐hange is good. It usually means progress,鈥 Flint said. 鈥淵ou have to learn how to adapt. That鈥檚 everywhere, but especially true in the world of college athletics. When people call or visit, I want them to feel comfortable and welcome here. Everybody deserves respect. When I answer the phone, people may just want me to hear them out, so I listen.鈥
鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to see and bond with the student workers and student athletes,鈥 Flint said. 鈥淐oaches teach our student athletes the people skills they need to advance in life, and it鈥檚 great to see them go on and be successful.鈥