Tennessee Tech University alumnus and longtime employee Ahmed Abounassif may have been born and raised in Saudi Arabia, but when he arrived on campus as a freshman at Tech in 2002, he felt right at home.

“Cookeville actually reminded me a lot of my hometown,” Abounassif explained. “It was a welcoming place where everybody knew each other. I tend to get attached easily, and with Cookeville, I was attached as soon as I got here.”

Abounassif was drawn to Tech after his father had attended the university in the 1970s as an international student from his native Lebanon. But Abounassif stayed – earning a total of three degrees – because of his own positive experiences.

“I really enjoyed my time here,” recalled Abounassif. “Everyone was great, and the International Student Affairs office [now known as the Office of International Programs] really took care of me. I felt the southern hospitality here.”

More than 20 years after first immigrating to the U.S., Abounassif has built a successful life and career – earning his doctorate, becoming a published researcher and mentoring students as an adjunct instructor of mechanical engineering and academic advisor for Tech’s College of Engineering Student Success Center, to name a few.

Last month at a courthouse in Nashville, Abounassif marked another milestone achievement: becoming a U.S. citizen.

In a heartening twist of fate, Abounassif ended up taking the oath of citizenship with a group that included one of his former students.

For Abounassif, the event marked the culmination of a decades-long journey, during which his Golden Eagle community provided support each step of the way.

“Everyone I work with – the faculty in the mechanical engineering department, the people at the Student Success Center, the leadership at the college – they’re just wonderful. It really is like a family,” Abounassif explained. “Even when I was applying for my green card, Tech was there. Faculty members wrote recommendation letters." 

Abounassif recounted how several Tech employees who remain at the university today – such as Charles Wilkerson, director of international recruitment and admission, and Andrew Bleignier, director of international student and scholar services – were especially helpful in his journey and are now among his close friends.

Today, as an advisor and adjunct instructor, Abounassif says his focus is on paying it forward.

“When international students come to my office for advising, or are in my classes, I’ll tell them that I was once in their shoes and to always let me know how I can help,” said Abounassif. “I give them my firsthand experience. I tell them about all they need to do to keep up with their documentation and maintain their immigration status.”

Abounassif says he knows there are students feeling angst about cultural and political divisions in America today, but his own experiences give him reason to stay encouraged.

“Throughout this whole process, everyone was generous and helpful,” said Abounassif. “This place is home. It’s where I want to stay, work and retire. Chances are, if you put your mind to something and you want to succeed, you can do that here. There’s a lot of help out there for you.”

Abounassif concluded, “Maybe Cookeville – and maybe Tennessee – is just a different experience compared to other places, but it’s been wonderful overall.”