Staff Profiles

More than 100 staff members work in the Division of the Humanities. We’ll introduce you to our staff in this continuing series.

Annie Diamond

Academic Affairs Coordinator

Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations (NELC)

What do you like most about your job?

I live in Hyde Park and have since I moved to Chicago; one of my favorite things about my job is that I can walk to it! Within my job, I like that I get to experience the administrative side of academia after having been a student for most of my life. It’s pretty fascinating to see on this side of the curtain, so to speak. My role as academic affairs coordinator for the Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations (NELC) department is a new one (I am the first person to have it) and I am frequently getting feedback from professors that they are very grateful I’m here and doing my job; that’s the best, to be acknowledged and to feel actually helpful and useful.

What was the last good book you read?

The last good book I read is called Bridge of Words: Esperanto and the Dream of a Universal Language by Esther Schor. It’s a nonfiction book about the history of Esperanto, the most successful constructed language in the world, and its inventor, Ludwik Zamenhof. It combines history and memoir; Schor writes of her own experiences as an Esperantist as well as the political, organizational, artistic history of the language. I first learned about Ludwik Zamenhof in 2017 when I was living in Poland and have been fascinated with him ever since; he was a Polish Jewish ophthalmologist who lived from 1859 to 1917 and believed that an international language would help rid the world of war. He was nominated 12 times for the Nobel Peace Prize. This book has gotten me to start learning Esperanto on Duolingo!

You might work with me if …

You might work with me if you have been newly hired in NELC, if you are working on a NELC search committee, or if you are a job candidate for a position in NELC who has been invited for a campus visit. I am involved with all the administrative aspects of faculty searches and faculty reviews in NELC, but my role is not student-facing at all.

More than 100 staff members work in the Division of the Humanities. We’ll introduce you to our staff in this continuing series.

Mike Zmija
Facilities Coordinator
Office of the Dean

What do you like most about your job?

That there's always something different every day. During the day, my assignments can range from placing work requests, packing and moving offices, updating offices, and ordering keys to being involved with capital projects and new construction in the Humanities Division. Also, I work with many people every day on campus. Through this interaction, I have developed many relationships over the years. I enjoy talking with members of the faculty, staff, engineers, and students.

What was the last good book you read?

Rather than reading books, I enjoy watching sports and going to the movies. The last movie I saw was Avatar:The Way of Water. I thought it was very good, although liked the first one Avatar movie a little better. I also like to watch the ID network and the A&E channel, as well as listen to CBS Radio Mystery Theater.

You might work with me if…

you need anything, from office keys and card access to any facilities-related issues, which include hot/cold calls, office moves, furniture, and any other office needs. Also, if you have any questions about the mail and photocopy services we provide.