Jana Kent is a fifth-year doctoral student focusing on family and identity communication. She is interested in researching topics related to transracial adoption and adoptee identity development. Jana's long-term goals include continuing as a higher education instructor and furthering research on transracial adoption.  

Jana received her B.A. from Boise State University and her M.A. from the University of Cincinnati. She currently teaches Comm 1200–Public Speaking and Comm 4520–Family Communication. Jana was awarded the University of Cincinnati Excellence in Teaching Award for her achievements in the classroom as a master's student. At Mizzou, Jana received the Outstanding Graduate Instructor award for the Department of Communication.   

Jana currently serves as a member of several committees in the Department of Communication. Jana was also elected as the 2023-2024 President of the Association of Communication Graduate Students executive board. She hopes to continue to create positive change for graduate students in her department.