MaLinda Hill
Meet MaLinda Hill, Executive Assistant to the Dean. This Upper Sandusky native is a proud Ohio State alumna who loves connecting with people and spending time with her husband, Josh, —and her dogs, Kevin and Piper.
- Question Where did you grow up and how has it changed since you were a kid there?
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Answer
I’m from Upper Sandusky, Ohio. In 2022, a fire claimed four businesses in town, but the comeback has been incredible. New locally owned businesses are opening soon, including a wine and cheese shop, a bookstore-coffee shop, and “The Novel Hotel,” where every room is themed after a famous novel. Big changes for a small town, but the heart of it remains the same.
- Question What was the most unrealistic thing you wanted to do or be as a kid, and at what point did you realize it probably wasn't going to happen?
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Answer
I don’t think I ever had an unrealistic dream in the traditional sense, but I’ve always loved interacting with people. Getting to know them and understanding what makes them who they are has always come naturally to me. Eventually, I realized that while my career path mattered, the people I connected with along the way mattered just as much.
- Question If you sent a “thank you” note to one person from your school years, who would it be and why?
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Answer
That would be Mrs. Anderson, my fourth-grade history teacher. She gave us a chance to use our imagination as we learned, and she told us wonderful stories about the past.
- Question What was the first job that made you say, “I never want to do this again”? And what did it teach you about what you actually wanted?
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Answer
Working in a call center was, hands down, my least favorite job. It was repetitive and uninspiring, but it taught me that I need to know my efforts are connected to a purpose and are making a genuine impact.
- Question Tell us about your time in school and how it prepared you for the work you do now.
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Answer
After high school, I went to Owens Community College in Findlay and then attended Columbus State Community College. After that, I transferred to Ohio State and completed my bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies in 2013. Working full-time while attending college part-time taught me how to prioritize, re-prioritize, solve problems, and adjust to changes quickly. Those skills have been vital in every role I’ve had.
- Question What’s one thing you’ve done that gives you a lot of satisfaction?
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Answer
I’m proud to be the first in my immediate family to earn a college degree. I was inspired by my mother who was the first in her own family to earn an associate’s degree in paralegal studies.
- Question Tell us about some of the professional roles you’ve held here at Ohio State.
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Answer
Before I stepped into my current role as Executive Assistant to the Dean, I was a Project Manager for Ohio State’s Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge. I worked with teams of 15 to 60 people, helping them achieve their goals. It was a challenge that motivated me to become a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). Now, I use those same strategies for the Office of the Dean.
- Question Even on the most hectic days, what are some things that make it all worthwhile?
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Answer
Knowing I get to go home to Josh—my kindergarten sweetheart and husband of 17 years—and to my dogs, Kevin and Piper, who greet me like it’s the best day of their lives, gives me something to look forward to every day!