‘We Need More Janices!’ Russell Retires After Nearly 30 Years of Service to Georgia Tech

Posted March 23, 2021

Janice Russell, who parlayed an entry-level accounting job with the Georgia Tech Foundation into a career that has taken her to virtually every corner of campus, will retire this month after nearly 30 years of service.

She departs Georgia Tech as director of financial administration in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, where her last few weeks on the job have involved showing her successor, Catanja Nichols, the intricacies of managing the College’s financial affairs.

“What I have loved most about Georgia Tech are the people, the friends I’ve made in all of the departments around campus,” Russell said. “That’s absolutely, by far, the greatest part of this job.”

Russell came to the College in 2016 from the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC), where she was operations manager for four years. Before that, she worked at the Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, following a brief stint as a financial manager in the Ivan Allen College and jobs across campus in accounts payable, grants and contracts accounting, beginning in 1992.

In each position, she set herself apart not only for her acumen as a financial professional but also for how she worked with the people around her.

“When I think of Janice, I think of how much she genuinely cares about her work, her employees, her peers, and her customers,” said Jim Fortner, Georgia Tech’s vice president for finance and planning. “She always goes above and beyond to understand the work to be performed, the problem to be solved, and the information to be communicated. Furthermore, she never seeks the spotlight for herself, preferring instead to highlight the contributions of others. Janice has always been a servant leader who is fair, objective, balanced, and well-informed.”

“We need more Janices!” he added.

Emily Howell, senior director of financial administration for the Office of the Provost and the Office of the Executive Vice President of Research, has worked closely with Russell and hailed Russell’s unmatched work ethic and dedication to Georgia Tech.

“But what always stood out to me was her kindness and patience when dealing with issues or problems,” Howell said. “she is the kind of person to dig in and get the job done with a smile and a great attitude. She has been a huge asset to the Institute and will be missed!”

Kaye Husbands Fealing, dean of the Ivan Allen College, concurred.

“Janice has long been an integral and valued member of the Georgia Tech family, not only for her deep financial and business expertise but also because of her dedication to our Ivan Allen College community,” Husbands Fealing said. “While her wise counsel and deep experience will be missed, I am thrilled for her to begin the next chapter of her life and wish her the very best.”

In retirement, Russell said she plans to take some time to enjoy her many hobbies, among them, golfing, camping, and fishing. She also is looking forward to spending more time with her family and, once conditions return to normal, doing the kind of travel she has always wanted to do, but for which she has not had the time.

She also said she is looking forward to having more time to devote to her faith.

“That’s what’s gotten me through everything,” she said.