Hometown:
For me, this is a simple yet complex question. I was raised in a little town called Dire Dawa in Ethiopia. A parched city with the most tantalizing sunset and mouthwatering tropical fruits. However, I lived most of my life in Seattle. Thus, I think my hometown is Seattle. I was here before Google, Amazon, and T-Mobile. I love my Seattle with all her rain and cloudy days.
Major/Minor: Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practice
What are you most proud of from your time at SPU?
In 2018, the population of King County was estimated at 2,163,257. African Americans/blacks accounted for 6.3% or 136,285 of that population. However, only 31.5% of 136,285 or 42,929 black individuals held bachelor or higher degree. Therefore, as a female, black, first-generation immigrant, I am grateful for my freedom, and to have the opportunity, the drive, and the support of my mother and Dr. Witham to overcome many barricades to achieve my doctoral degree. I hope my story inspires others to swim against the tide to achieve their goals. I am also proud of SPU for acknowledging that systemic racism exists and that the leadership team is taking tangible steps to be part of the solution.
What is a fun fact about you?
My most embarrassing moment was falling face forward on a hospital hallway while pushing an intravenous pole!
What are some of your career goals?
Complete a one-year residency program and work for a federally qualified health center, hopefully locally.
What is something you wish everyone knew about your major?
That it is ferocious.
What is a piece of advice you’d like to leave for those still in school?
Keep Jesus first, be his follower first, everything else, including gaining knowledge. is secondary. Love God. Love yourself. Love others. Know yourself, your strengths, and your weakness. Stay away from individuals who gossip and complain because they will distract you from your path, drain your energy, and poison your spirit. Keep the people who love you close. When you are upset because you didn’t get the grade you deserve or you are misunderstood, use that negative energy to accomplish something positive, such as studying harder. Set your definition of success and go after that without compromising your integrity.
Anything else you’d like to add?
On June 7, 2017, I was hiking with two of my friends and their two girls, ages 8 and 10. The plan was to explore Ebey’s Landing; however, we got lost and ended up at the SPU's Whidbey Island campground at Camp Casey. All of our phones were dead. We didn’t know how to get back to our car. It was getting dark and cold. The girls started to get tired and hungry. At Camp Casey, there was a group of teenagers playing. We asked if we could use their phone, but all of them except one young lady declined to help us. They were suspicious of us, which is ironic because they outnumber us, and we do not look harmful, rather tired and concerned. However, the young lady not only offered us her phone but also provided us tea and shelter. I was able to save my credit card in her phone and secured us an Uber ride to our vehicle (Ebey’s Landing). She told us they were freshman at SPU. The situation (being seen as a criminal by her friends) didn’t allow me to get her full name and phone number. I want to take this opportunity to thank her for her kindness, for being human, for living out SPU’s mission (“...changing the world by graduating people of competence and character...” ) in the real world.