06/01/2026
Long before she ever stepped into a Williams classroom, Professor Janna Himschoot was learning what responsibility, grit, and faithfulness look like on a 300–acre farm outside Hardy, Arkansas. Today, those same qualities are what her students and colleagues love most about her.
Those who work closest with Janna see what a gift she is to this campus. One colleague says, “Janna is a wonderful, supportive colleague. She is an outstanding teacher, who balances accountability and grace towards her students. She lives out her faith and love of the Lord.” Another calls her “a great example of our WBU campus-moms. Her tough love is unmatched. Mrs. Himschoot's expectations of students are some of the highest on campus and yet she loves and encourages students through every challenge to ensure success.”
Her teammates in the business department see both her heart and her strength. “Janna has a love to ensure student's success. She is a great mentor and 'college mom' to each student who reaches out for any kind of advice. Whether it be spiritual, academic, or personal. She is a great role model and an awesome lady to work with.” Another colleague adds, “Working alongside Janna is a gift. She is steady in her faith and always fair and consistent in everything she does. Janna is not only an incredible leader and mentor, but also a true friend. Where I tend to dream big, her attention to detail brings balance and strength to our team — together, we truly complement each other perfectly.”
Her students feel the impact just as deeply. One shared, “Mrs. Himschoot has a heart bigger than all and she truly strives to push each and every one of her students to be the best they can be. I have had the privilege of not only working for her, but studying under her which was shown me how much potential she sees in myself and how hard she will push me to become the best version of me!”
In her Lifework Podcast conversations with President Dr. Stan Norman, Janna talks about how those early years on the farm, her small home church, and seasons in corporate accounting, healthcare, and tutoring all shaped her calling as a professor. She shares how motherhood became her first vocation and how God used both open and closed doors to prepare her to pour into students at Williams with high expectations, deep compassion, and a steady, Christ-centered presence.
We are truly grateful that Professor Janna Himschoot chooses to invest her lifework here at Williams Baptist University. Our campus, our programs, and especially our students are stronger because of her.
Part 2 of her Lifework Podcast story, “Trust the Process: From Corporate Accounting to Calling in the Classroom,” is available now to download and listen.
