Her Story
About Anita
Anita Mazvimavi serves as Executive Assistant to the President and C-Suite at a university in Austin, Texas, a role she began after relocating there just over a month ago. She entered the education field in 2018, progressing from student help and print and mail services at Madison College through professional development, shadowing, and recruitment into the president's office. Her specialization is in operations and logistics, where she has coordinated seamless events such as White House visits and supported the onboarding of a new president by building community partnerships. Anita earned her associate's degree from Madison College and her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She is a member of the National Association for Presidential Assistance in Higher Education (NAPAI). Anita attributes her success to her Christian faith, which guides her commitment to integrity and performing her work as unto the Lord. She volunteers with the Humane Society and has recently signed up with Mobile Loaves and Fishes.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Anita
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the Lord, because yes, obviously, like, again, I did put in work. Faith without works is dead. But at the end of the day my strength comes from above, and I know that like I don't lean on myself, but I have a higher power that goes before me and has a plan for me.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received was from my mentor who is still my mentor today. While we were doing my professional development when she was teaching me stuff, she would ask me to do a task, and I would do it. And then she'd say, okay, explain it. And the main purpose of that was her thing was always she always taught me, it's not enough to just know how to do something, but know why you're doing it.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say be open and be teachable. And stay curious. So, be open, be teachable, and stay curious. Ask questions.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Right now, I feel as though especially being an executive assistant in education that there are not as many, but I feel like this might not be a pathway that many young women know about. I do find myself being the youngest in the room majority of the time now. I feel like there could be more awareness for executive assistants as a career option. It's like a hidden gem.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I'm a Christian and I believe that that's the foundation of my life and my values. So because that is my personal belief that flows in every aspect of everything I do. For example, like there's scripture that talks about doing your work is unto the Lord. I take that in everything, so it's about having integrity, like it's even if no one physically sees what you're doing, even if maybe you don't get the recognition that you need. I'm doing my work as unto the Lord.
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