to the United States visited Wichita to
honor Mohammad Awad-Eljied ’00 for his
achievments and to learn more about
Kansas.
Mohammad Awad-Eljied ’00 knows the value of hard work and tenacity — and what a difference an education makes. Born in a farming community near the Blue Nile River in the Sudan, Awad-Eljied was raised by parents who didn’t have a formal education, but wanted their children to receive one.
Awad-Eljied studied hard in his youth, striving to get ahead in school. He went on to graduate from Sana’a University in Yemen, earning a degree in economics and a minor in political science. But the allure of the American dream beckoned, and with only $1,000 in savings and a visa, he headed to the United States with a burning desire to achieve success.
After a nine-month stint working 12-hour days in New York, Awad-Eljied boarded a bus to Wichita to attend Wichita State. He enrolled in the intensive English program and got a job at McDonald’s, sweeping floors and cleaning restrooms.
He wasn’t bitter about his assignments, because he knew through hard work he could climb his ladder of success. “I worked hard for everyone who hired me,” he says. “I had no regrets — I don’t have time for that.”
His attitude paid off. In less than a year, he became a McDonald’s manager and then sought a position in banking. Rejected five times, he finally landed a part-time teller’s job at Emprise Bank. “I don’t give up easily,” he explains of his job search.
In less than three years, he became a branch manager. During that same time, he finished a master’s degree in economics and business management at WSU, as well as a mini-MBA. He has fond memories of his time at WSU, especially the help he received from Jen-Chi Cheng, chairperson and associate professor of economics. “He is my friend and role model,” Awad-Eljied says. “He always asked me: ‘What is your five-year plan?’”
Today, Awad-Eljied is a financial advisor for the Edward Jones company in Wichita — and is one of its top-rated advisors. His success was highlighted this summer, when the Sudanese ambassador to the United States, John Ukec Lueth Ukec, honored Awad-Eljied and his achievements during a visit to Wichita.
Awad-Eljied reports that the ambassador had a productive time during his four-day visit, which included a meeting with Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer, lectures at WSU and St. Mark United Methodist Church, and visits to local businesses, along with a formal evening reception at the Olive Tree restaurant.
It was the ambassador’s first trip to Kansas, and Lueth Ukec was impressed by what he saw. He was especially pleased with tours of the salt mines in Hutchinson and the Hustler Turf Equipment company in Hesston. “I wanted to show him the bright side of Kansas and make his visit special,” Awad-Eljied says.
Awad-Eljied, who is married with two children, says he was pleased by the visit and hopes his accomplishments set an example for others in his native country.
“Whatever you can dream, you can do,” he says.
