Jannitta Graham, Faculty Affairs Manager

Quick Chat with Jannitta Graham

For the past 10 years, Jannitta Graham has been a steadfast supporter of students and faculty at the University of Maryland. Now the faculty affairs manager in the Department of Geographical Sciences, she brings a wealth of experience from her time in the College of Education and her work with the Gates Millennium Scholars Program.

With experience supporting both students and faculty, this D.C. native is a key resource in ensuring smooth operations behind the scenes. We caught up with her to learn more about her role, what keeps her motivated, and her approach to making GEOG a great place to work.

What do you like most about your role?

I really enjoy building relationships with the faculty. I know that faculty can sometimes get a bad reputation, but I’ve found that the GEOG faculty are genuinely great to work with.

How would you explain your role in one sentence?

I’m not entirely sure, but I see myself as a bridge that connects faculty, students and resources to enhance our department's collaborative environment.

What’s a pet peeve you have at work?

My biggest pet peeve is when people forget to be kind to one another.

What do you do to help you recharge?

I make sure to take vacations when I can to recharge and reset.

Anything else you would like people to know about you?

I consider myself really easy to get along with. I believe that treating everyone with kindness and respect is infectious, and I strive to lead by example in creating a positive atmosphere. I also really like the Washington Commanders football team. We almost made it to the Super Bowl this year. I think next year is OUR YEAR!

Image courtesy of Jannitta Grahame