The Unofficial MSIT Historian
Officially, George Nejmeh is a facilitator for Northwestern Engineering's Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program – a problem-solver helping guide students on their path to graduation.
But based on his 31-year career at Northwestern – more than 25 of which have been spent with MSIT – he also is considered the program’s unofficial historian.
Nejmeh first gets to know prospective students when they apply to the program, builds relationships with those who enroll in MSIT, and often maintains those relationships beyond graduation. He guides applicants through the admissions process, shares internship opportunities with students, offers assistance with course registration, and even offers recommendations of good places to eat in and around Evanston.
The bonds he forms with students is what keeps Nejmeh excited about his job.
“That's what has kept me around the University for so long,” he said. “It's very rewarding to see them progress in their student careers and then graduate and progress in careers outside of education.”
Nejmeh started his Northwestern career in a chemistry storeroom distributing chemicals as a temporary employee. Two months later, he was hired full-time as a loan representative, helping students plan their repayments. From there he moved to Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, where he spent four years assisting student registration.
He came to MSIT in 1998, two years after the program's founding, and has witnessed the evolution of MSIT. When he began with the program, there was only a part-time option. Now, MSIT offers both part- and full-time programs, introducing a much needed and much appreciated diversity to the student body.
“Now we're getting students from all over the world,” he said. “I enjoy learning about different cultures, and the domestic students love it as well because they get to learn how different industries and working styles are across the globe.”
Not only does that diversity enhance the classroom experience, but it prepares students for life in the working world, Nejmeh said.
“Having the diversity amongst students gives them so much more when it comes to marketing themselves,” he said. “They can say, ‘Yeah, I've worked with people from Asia, I've worked with people from Europe and Central America.’”
Nejmeh's own knowledge of IT has also evolved to match technology's rapid advancements — when he started at Northwestern, he wasn't yet working on a computer. He's always enjoyed learning, and he routinely shares his own technological knowledge with staff and students.
He also keeps in touch with as many alumni as he can through social media.
“I've seen so many of them get married, have children, and some of them, their children have grown and applied to the program,” he said. “That's rewarding to see, when the next generation comes along.”
He admits he's biased, but he believes MSIT is a great place for prospective students to study and grow professionally. Not only do they develop a much needed skill set, but they find a network of supporters along the way.
"Northwestern – and especially the MSIT program – is a good place to be,” Nejmeh said. “Once you come to this program, that's it. You're part of the family.”
