Category: Alumni

Don’t avoid something because you think it is “too hard” until you’ve tried it for long enough to know for sure.

The FXUA experience was a novel one, an extremely satisfying voyage loaded with good and bad times, yet with an extraordinary result. Learning at FXUA was the initial move toward accomplishment, as acquiring my MS in Computer Science cleared the path for me. In every class I was developing my technical and interpersonal skills, getting more exposure to real-life situations, and preparing myself for the job market.

Q: Where are you working now, and what position or job responsibilities do you have?
A: I am currently working on a federal project with the Department of Education as a SharePoint administrator. My responsibilities include installing, configuring, maintaining, upgrading, and managing a SharePoint server farm.

The company deals with configuring all service applications like search, metadata, user profile synchronization, and creation of a content database that involves maintenance of various logging databases in SQL Server. Compressing of logging databases is also done by SharePoint administrators since they grow in size considerably. I also assign proper permission levels for all users of the site as well as configure anonymous access as required.

Q: As a graduate, what advice would you like to convey to all the current students of FXUA?
A: Don’t be hesitant about being curious.  Ask questions.  Try things.  Learn new ideas. Add new skills.  Don’t ever stop asking “Why?” and “How?”  Take electives that aren’t required.  It is important to learn your limits (and expand them), as well as to learn what you like to do and don’t like to do.  Don’t avoid something because you think it is “too hard” until you’ve tried it for long enough to know for sure.

Q: Finally, could you share a memorable moment from your FXUA life with us?
A: For me, it’s not a matter of one single great memory that stands out.  My best memories from FXUA are those of deep technology discussions, both inside and outside the classroom, such as those with my professors and with my friends. Another memorable moment was serving as the Student Union President in the year 2014-2015. Helping and solving student issues and organizing welcome parties for the new students was a wonderful experience.

Nanda K. Gollu
MS in Computer Science, 2015
SharePoint Administrator
Avian Tek Columbia, MD 

Looking back now, I understand how significantly I changed and developed during my two years studying for my MBA at FXUA. I had experience and a bachelor’s degree in IT. The field of business was completely new to me, and because of FXUA I discovered that I am both a technically- and business-minded thinker. FXUA didn’t limit my education to just business courses, so I combined both technology and business in my studies and wrote my thesis on technology in supply chain management. Making many presentations and working in teams with classmates from diverse countries gave me an invaluable skill set which I use every day at my current job.

I recently received a job offer from Manhattan Associates, a global company and one of the market leaders in supply chain management software solutions. I work in the customer support department where I have direct interaction with customers who need support with our unique warehouse management system; I address everything from post implementation issues resolution to system upgrades and modification according to client business needs. The position itself is challenging and keeps me thinking and learning as technology develops quickly.

I will never forget FXUA: my last day of class, my last group presentation, participating in the Miss FXUA beauty pageant, Chef’s Café, the Pender building, and Dr. Ross’s smile. I love the way he greets students. As a business student, he makes you feel that you are the smartest, most special student at FXUA. His talent is to inspire a crowd.

I would advise current FXUA students to create their own brand. Perform the SWOT analysis of your brand. Identify your strength and weaknesses. React accordingly: emphasize your benefits and improve where you feel you need to. Don’t forget to stick with the area in which you have decided to develop yourself. Attend related classes and professional networking events. Set goals! Track your progress! Visualize! Always ask yourself if you are on the right track and where you want to be after a graduation.

Anastasia Sudarikova, MBA in Global Logistics 2015
Support Consultant 
Manhattan Associates 
Atlanta, GA

Aziza Mirkhanova, MA in TESOL 2015

FXUA opened my eyes to a world of intellectual wonder and stimulation. Unlike other graduate programs that I considered before coming to FXUA, I was duly impressed with the breadth of instruction and consistency in mission – to learn from experienced and caring instructors who cared only about my success as both a student and an individual.

Most specifically, I realized during my tenure here that becoming a TESOL professional was a huge responsibility because it allows me to positively impact the lives of those around me, irrespective of their social economic circumstance, gender, orientation, or cultural make up. In my current role as Library Coordinator at FXUA’s Library, I find myself sharing with students and peers those qualities that distinguish a FXUA TESOL graduate from graduates from outside FXUA.

When it comes to my fondest FXUA memories, one thing comes to mind: the feeling of completeness that only comes when you walk across that stage with your family and friends in full support and knowing that you are prepared for whatever life throws at you.  You are ready and you are eager to take on the responsibility of helping prepare the next generation of FXUA graduates.  In short, this is my legacy.

My suggestion to aspiring TESOL graduate students is simple:  do your homework, literally and figuratively.  Remember, we are a world community and what you learn here should forever positively impact all those around you.  You carry a responsibility to yourself, your family, your peers, and those who aspire to be a successful FXUA graduate.

Aziza Mirkhanova, MA in TESOL 2015
Fairfax University of America
Virginia, USA

Houssem Eddine Djida, MBA 2011

Q: How was your overall experience with FXUA? How did the education you received here help you reach your goals and career path?
A: The FXUA experience was a unique one, a very fulfilling journey filled with ups and downs, yet with a great outcome. Studying at FXUA was the first step toward success, as obtaining my MBA paved road for me. Class after class, I was deepening my business knowledge, getting more exposed to real life scenarios and experiences, and getting ready to face the job market.

Q: Where are you working now, and what position or job responsibilities do you have?
A: I am working at the same company that hired me straight after graduating from FXUA; the company provides various insurance, risk management, and financial services to a wide range of clients (individuals, businesses, and diplomatic missions). Currently, my title is Assistant Vice President and my focus is on diplomatic missions (I got assigned to the embassies and diplomatic missions department from day one, given the fact that my concentration at FXUA was international business management). My responsibility is to manage the clients’ insurance and financial portfolios and to work toward cementing the existing relationships between my company and the various embassies while also working on enlarging our book of business.

Q: As a graduate, what advice would you like to convey to all the current students of FXUA?
A: There are plenty of things that one can do to ensure his/her success while studying at FXUA, but I will only focus on two: believe in yourself and network smartly. It goes without saying that one can’t move forward if he lacks the determination and the strong belief that he will get to the goals he is meant to get to. Only this belief will keep you going! The second advice is not only to network, but also to do it smartly. Indeed, you can’t just turn toward everybody you come across and try to establish some sort of connection with them; rather, networking should be done in carefully chosen places and times while targeting key people.

Q: Finally, could you share a memorable moment from FXUA life with us?
A: I personally will never forget my entrance or my exit from FXUA. When I first got to FXUA, it was the first time I was exposed to people from different backgrounds and cultures, and little by little I found it to be a very enriching experience that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to get elsewhere. Likewise, graduation day was a glorious one; one on which you see all your efforts come to a positive outcome while sharing the joy of it with your family and loved ones. Graduation day was simply epic!

Houssem Eddine Djida, MBA 2011
Assistant Vice President
Virginia, USA