Personal Interests:
I was born, raised and grew up in Ethiopia. I came to the US in 1981 and became a citizen. Most of my life in the US is somehow connected to Columbia, where I got a job and studied. At Columbia, I have been involved in financial and administrative jobs for over 20 years now. I have worked at the School of Nursing, and the Departments of Chemistry and Genetics. I joined SMS in January of 2005.

Academic Interests:
While growing up in Ethiopia, I was attracted to science and went to college to study the subject. Chemistry was my favorite. However my interest in science was short lived and I changed my career to business. I then got a job at the National Telecommunications Headquarters as a Recruitment and Manpower Training Officer. After moving to the US, I got a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the State University of NY system. My motivation increased and then I got my Master’s degree from Teachers College (Columbia University) in Higher Education with an emphasis in Finance and Administration.

Community Interests:
In the Department of Sociomedical Sciences, I am the Departmental Administrator responsible for finance and administration. It is very complex, challenging and provides lots of opportunities. The Mailman School of Public Health was always fascinating to me because of its dominance in the news around campus and beyond. It is the second largest school at the Medical Center. I felt I should be part of this dynamic growth. Where there is growth, there is change, and where there is change, there is no boredom. This is even truer at SMS, where the diversity I see around compels me to call it a small United Nations. I have already made friends who know Ethiopia and love its food, faculty members who have been there, and even one who spent his childhood years in the capital city of Addis Ababa. You can see why I feel at home here.