Welcome Jan Fitzgerald!

The Oktibbeha County Humane Society (OCHS) welcomes Jan Fitzgerald to its board of directors.  A lifelong animal lover and Starkville native, Jan’s affection for “all of God’s creatures” began at an early age.  “Introverts can usually relate much better to animals than they can people,” Jan said.  “I strive to make a difference in my community on a daily basis.  It’s important to me to be the voice of the voiceless.”

For many years, Jan has fed the feral cat community throughout Starkville.  She assists in the trap-neuter-return (TNR) program where cats are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped (which identifies cats who have gone through this program), and then returned to their original outdoor home.

OCHS board president Rick Welch said, “Jan is an amazing advocate for animal welfare, and I’m very excited to have her join the OCHS board.  Jan’s passion for animals, her energy, and her involvement in the Starkville and Mississippi State communities will advance our mission to improve the lives of animals and the people who love them.”

Jan is currently an Associate Director at the MSU Career Center.  She earned her Master of Science in Instructional Technology and Bachelor of Arts in Communication from MSU.  Jan is passionate about student success and enjoys working with students on a variety of career-related topics.  She also works closely with faculty and recruiters to assist students with career development opportunities.

Aside from her duties at MSU, Jan is the Advisor to the Oktibbeha County Humane Society Student Chapter (OCHSSC) and is an active volunteer at the shelter.  She is past president of the Mississippi Association of Colleges and Employers (MACE) and has worked on various committees within that organization.  Jan is also involved with the Christian Women’s Job Corps and assists yearly with the state and national Future Farmers of America (FFA) convention.