Alumnus Gadisa
Gadisa Berkessa’s story begins over 7,000 miles away from Minneapolis College in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia.
Growing up with big dreams for himself, he applied for the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program right after graduating high school and was one of 50,000 people from around the world chosen to immigrate to America. He soon found himself on a Minnesota adventure!
Landing in Minneapolis in 2006, he immediately enrolled at Minneapolis College to pursue a liberal arts transfer pathway, and was awarded the Wells Family Foundation Scholarship.
"My scholarship lifted a weight off my shoulders. I was able to work fewer hours and focus on my education. Education has always been my first priority. I am forever grateful for the quality of education and the opportunity Minneapolis College gave me."
In 2008, Gadisa transferred to the U of M to major in electrical engineering. After graduating, he worked full-time as a building systems specialist. Two jobs later, he’s now a facilities engineer at Tennant Company. As his career progressed, he opted to come back to Minneapolis College to earn another associate degree, this time in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) to better understand his role and the people he supervises. He’s turning out to be the kind of boss everyone wishes they could have!
Gadisa believes in giving back and showcases his gratitude for all the opportunities offered to him in his adopted community by founding and leading a non-profit organization, Egeree Education Foundation, which supports orphans with proven education potential in Nedjo, Oromia.
Much of Gadisa’s family has now immigrated and joined him in Minnesota.
“I’ve referred my entire family to Minneapolis College. My wife has already graduated once, my brother has transferred to the U of M to pursue his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and my sister is currently enrolled in the nursing program!”