
Sopho Altunashvili
In academia, it’s the staff who do the most work, for the least recognition. At CSJMM, the burden falls on Sopho Altunashvili, Natia Metreveli, and Tamuna Kakulia, who I’ll write about later.
I sit next to Sopho, so everyday I see her as she pleasantly and efficiently deals with any and every problem or complaint by all of CSJMM’s journalism and mass communication students. Since the faculty do not yet maintain office hours, Sopho will likely field students’ questions about coursework. If someone wants to talk with an administrator, Sopho will try to make him or her happy. If the printer doesn’t work, or someone can’t find a gown for graduation, then Sopho comes to the rescue. But I’m not the only one who notices such things. Nor am I the only one who appreciates her contributions to the school. Read on for some direct quotes from colleagues.
“Sopo is one of our best graduates, whom we are very proud of. She is among our top achievers in professional media. We were very happy when she agreed to work for CSJMM, and embraced her into GIPA family. Sopo is smart, motivated, capable of independent decisions and well organized, which helps her a lot in her administrative duties. I have big hopes for her joining the ranks of faculty soonest, which, I am sure, will be her next achievement. My love goes to Sopo and her family.” –Maia Mikashavidze
She is an exceptional for her calming tone of voice. It makes me happy to see the peacefulness she creates around herself and the manner she deals with the problems around. I am very new there to elaborate more, but to have such a staff member is very promising:) –Nino O Orjonikidze
Due to the nature of my work, I meet and work with different people on planning and organizing the study process. Rarely you can meet a person who is both competent in the work she does and passionate about it. Sopho is very organized, punctual, always has answers and is always there when you need her assistance. She is a very positive and lively personality and it is easy to communicate with her. Sopho is one of the people I most enjoy working with. Thank you very much, Sopho! –Nina Shoshitaishvili
It has been a year Sopho became our coordinator. Till today I don’t remember the day she refused to answer our questions; we are always informed about our schedule or any changes in it in advance. She always tries to take our complaints into consideration and always ready to co-ordinate. Sopho is friendly; well-organized and self-disciplined. She never misses chance to invite good lecturers in GIPA in order to have interesting classes. –Mariam Jachvadze, second year student of GIPA.
Need to figure out what’s wrong with the projector? Need to find a pair of boots to get around Tbilisi in the snow? Need to create an exercise for your class?Need a co-teacher to edit stories? Just ask Sopho. She can, and will, do anything, and in the most cheerful way possible. She’s a dream come true. –Margie Freaney
I may not be very creative, but here are my immediate thoughts: it’s not only that Sopho always has answers to thousands of questions we have all the time, but she always does it in an extremely positive manner, with smile, with genuine readiness to help. –Tina Zurabishvili
Sopho always performs her duties. She is very reliable, if she says she will do something, means, it will be done! I love her entering the faculty room: she brings in fresh energy, competence and good mood. –Tiko Tsomaia
I also believe that Sopho is a great person and she really deserves much love and respect from all of us. –Sandro Baramidze
When you appreciate person too much it’s very difficult to keep balance while writing about her :). It’s already second year I’m a member of GIPA’s family. I was on my first course when our coordinator became Sopo Altunashvili. First expression I had towards her was that she is so friendly. Bright face with lovely smile and colored clothe are things that makes Sopo different from others. She is always ready and steady to help. If you will ask me who is Sopo for me I would answer that she is the one who made my studying on MA more easy and pleasant. Person who always stands on students’ side and never ever shows that she is one you represents GIPA and keeps its interests, because she is doing this two thing together. She loves her job and makes it lovely for others also. Sopo has two daughters, husband, works at GPB, works at GIPA and always finds time to smile and make me motivated to meet new challenges bravely. — Sophio Mgaloblishvili
So about Sofo. I saw her first in TV show. Than I saw her in GIPA and was surprised. First time she looked confused, there were a lot of new things for here. Time after time everything normalized. But now she looks tired. It seems these big changes which take a place in GIPA everything mainly on her. She has two wonderful doters with whom I nearly made friends once. –Sandro Asatiani
So if you see Sopho, or anyone else who helps you, please take a moment and let the person know that you appreciate him or her.