A Presidential Opportunity
President Barack Obama has departure photos taken with Glorie Chiza, PPO, in the Oval Office, Dec. 4, 2015. Attending are: Anastasie Lubala, mother; Sebastien Chiza, brother; Ruben Chiza, brother; Deborah Chiza, sister; Jonathan Chiza, brother; Alika Chiza, sister; Lola Chiza, sister. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza).
On December 4th, Georgia Southern University student Jonathan Chiza, 3rd year Information Systems major, and his family had the privilege of going to the White House and meeting President Barack Obama. Jonathan’s older brother Glorie Chiza worked in the Presidential Personnel Office and had the opportunity to bring his whole family to take departure photos with President Obama.
“The opportunity to meet President Obama meant a lot for my family, because in March of 2015 our father passed away. Our father relocated from Democratic Republic of the Congo to the U.S. in 1997 on the U.S. State Department Diversity Lottery Visa Program and worked 3 jobs to make this moment a possibility. He gave up a successful career, his comfort, and his health to give my siblings and I access to a better education and career opportunities. Although he didn’t get a chance to be in this picture, I am confident that he is proud of us.”
Jonathan Chiza will be spending Spring 2016 in Atlanta as an IT intern with Norfolk Southern. On campus, he has been involved in multiple organizations such as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Student Government Association, and African Student Association just to name a few. Chiza has also been working on-campus as a Career Educator in the Office of Career Services and was the first freshman be hired for the position.
“I love helping other student with their resume, cover letter, and really just making their dreams come true.”
His freshman year he made the “Georgia Southern’s Career Service Kid President” video to help promote all the great things Career Service offers.
“Once I graduate from GSU I plan on becoming an Information Systems Consultant and one day become a CIO (Chief Information Officer) of a Fortune 100 company. I also want to continue to make my parents very proud!”
Current and front page photos are courtesy of Pete Souza, White House Photo Office.
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