Maverick Spotlight: Jina “Missy” Bouknight-King
Jina “Missy” Bouknight-King
Healthcare Management student
Jina “Missy” Bouknight-King knows hard work and what it means to have others depend on you. Known by her friends as “Missy,” she’s also been called wife, friend, student, and mom. But one of her favorite names is grandma.
A mother of five children, Missy worked two jobs outside the home to help support her family. But after her kids were grown and she had spent over 20 years in the medical field, Missy decided she wanted to do something for herself, her kids and her now three grandchildren. “I wanted something I could be proud of.”
After Missy and her husband both lost their jobs she decided it was the right time to make a change and returned to school to earn a degree in the healthcare field. While Missy was excited to return to school to reach her goals, she was even more excited about the effects of her decision on her family. “I want to leave a legacy for all my grandkids,” she said. “I want them to know if Me-ma can do it, they can.”
Missy will graduate this year with her bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management and plans to move right into her master’s program. “Don’t let anyone or anything stop you from getting your education,” she advises others. “Go for your dream and have fun doing it.”
