Assege HaileMariam had every intention of going back to her birth place.

She graduated high school in her native country of Ethiopia. She then immigrated to the United States to receive a college education.

While in America, her plan was to go to school, get a degree and go back to Ethiopia and contribute there.

When she came to America, her plan was set in stone.

But plans can change over time.

“While I was here, Ethiopia turned upside down and became communist,” said HaileMariam, a psychology professor. “When you have a western orientation, you just don’t go back to a communist country.”

HaileMariam is one of six foreign-born professors that will be featured on today’s panel discussion, “Immigrant Women Faculty” at 12:30 p.m. in Klehm Hall, Room 1418.

The panel is comprised of all female faculty who will discuss their stories of immigrating to the United States. The discussion is a part of Eastern’s Women’s History and Awareness Month and its celebration of International Women’s Day.

HaileMariam came to America in the early 1970s. After she arrived in America, Ethiopia fell under communist control in 1974.

The process of immigration was not easy for HaileMariam.

“It’s a complex process,” she said. “How you immigrated, the purpose of your immigration and where you fall in society all make a difference in your adjustment.”

HaileMariam started working as a psychology professor at Eastern in the fall of 1999.

Will Anderson became the department chair of psychology two years later and has respected HaileMariam’s work ethic ever since.

“In terms of discussions at the department meetings, she is the voice of reason,” Anderson said.

“She makes insightful comments, particularly on issues that are controversial or sensitive.”

He said that HaileMariam is always willing to help students and is typically one of the first faculty members to volunteer when the psychology department needs extra help.

Chris McCormick met HaileMariam the year HaileMariam arrived.

“She is articulate, honest, straightforward, caring and she is a pleasure to have as a friend and colleague,” McCormick said.

The two are on the School Psychology Committee, and roomed together at conferences.

McCormick said that being roommates at conferences allowed them to get to know each other on a personal level. The two developed a friendship and HaileMariam shared her story with McCormick.

“I thought it was neat,” she said. “I had never met anybody from Ethiopia before.”

After arriving in America, HaileMariam noticed a few differences between Ethiopia’s culture and America’s.

She said in Ethiopia, teachers and elders were respected and she did not see that same respect in America, but that was not all.

“It took me awhile to realize the nature of racism because I had not seen it all,” HaileMariam said. “As I lived a little longer in America, I could see the nature of it. We have come a long way – we still have a way to go – but we have come a very, very long way since the ’70s.”

HaileMariam came to America with a few relatives, but like everybody else, she had to find her way. Her parents, however, stayed in Ethiopia.

“You don’t get homesick right away; it takes a little longer to get homesick,” HaileMariam said. “When you are placed in a totally new place, you do a lot of observing and listening. You assimilate a lot. You also answer many curious questions.”

Days before leaving Ethiopia, HaileMariam said that she was excited to immigrate to America. At the same time, she was emotional because she was leaving her family.

She settled in Bloomington and attended Illinois State University, where she would graduate three years later.

“You come to a new country and look for a place, and you have to believe in humanity as an immigrant,” HaileMariam said. “You have to believe that people will do the right thing.”

HaileMariam did come across those people in America and also kept in touch with her parents by phone and mail. It was not safe for her to go home to visit her family, but her parents occasionally came to America to visit her.

In 1991, Ethiopia’s communist regime lost power, but HaileMariam had already found a home.

She said that she had to make the decision to settle in one place and decided on America.

Although the original plan changed, HaileMariam has no doubts with the decision she made.

“I’m not saying (America) is a perfect place, but the ideals are here and we continue to work on those ideals,” HaileMariam said. “Whether it is working towards eliminating discrimination or having a better understanding of each other’s culture, the ideals and opportunities are here and I have no regrets.”