Georgetown College. Georgetown University.

Wajeeha Naeem and fellow Hoya alum Kory Brin have two children, Iman Brin (3 years old) and Sana Brin (9 months old). (Courtesy Wajeeha Naeem)

By LiAnna Davis

Wajeeha Naeem wasn’t planning to be a Computer Science major until she took a programming course with Dr. Mahe Velauthapillai.

“Dr. Mahe was a great professor,” she says. “He made computer science fun and kept all the students engaged. He also provided insight into how we would use what we were learning in the ‘real world.’”

Naeem, who graduated with a degree in computer science in 1999, now uses that real-world insight daily. Two years ago, she and two of her colleagues formed LMN Solutions, Inc., a company that provides information technology services to enhance the successful delivery of software solutions within the federal and intelligence community environments. As a business owner in the IT arena, Naeem is constantly using the skills she learned while at Georgetown, relying especially on the work that she did in Dr. Velauthapillai’s courses.

“My undergraduate work with Dr. Mahe prepared me to build successful software systems and then eventually start a company that specializes in just that,” Naeem says. “He taught us the basics of object-oriented programming, which have helped me write code, design software, and architect large-scale systems.”

Dr. Velauthapillai’s enthusiasm for computer science and his guidance on all aspects of life—from career to family—made him a teacher of more than just programming to Naeem. She says that he not only “made studying fun” while she was at Georgetown, he also continues to have an impact on her life.

“Dr. Mahe’s advice was not just limited to technology and career; he was ready to offer his input on life in general, based on his own life experiences,” she explains. “Earlier this year, when my father suddenly passed away, it was very thoughtful of him to send his words of sympathy. Dr. Mahe is the kind of person that you are lucky to come across once or twice in a lifetime. His door was always open, and even if you had to stand in line to talk to him, it was worth it.”

Naeem is married to another of Dr. Velauthapillai’s former students, Kory Brin, and the pair have two daughters, Iman Brin (3 years old) and Sana Brin (9 months old). Naeem enjoys being able to give back to her community through her work with the intelligence community, and credits her Georgetown education with giving her the strong academic foundation that allows her to achieve any goals she sets.

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