After a 40-year tenure at UT Southwestern, Administrative Associate Karen Kazemzadeh says the most interesting part of her career experience has been watching the physical evolution of the campus.

“I love working on this beautiful campus. I have watched both the physical growth and reputation of this institution expand, and I have been proud to be part of this development,” Mrs. Kazemzadeh says.

After initially joining UTSW in 1971, she took some time off over the years to raise two sons and work elsewhere, returning to the Medical Center each time. She cites the diversity of opportunities, manager support, great co-workers, and affinity for the academic environment as reasons why she’s committed to UT Southwestern.

“I have been happy to be a part of this institution, where there is such collaboration, cooperation in the education of students, advancement of scientific research, and development of patient care services. I look forward to watching UT Southwestern grow in excellence from my new vantage of retirement,” she says.

Mrs. Kazemzadeh first joined the institution after a neighbor encouraged her to apply so the two could carpool. Her first job was as a Secretary in the Department of Internal Medicine and, after a few years, she moved to an administrative role in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences’ Immunology Ph.D. Program, serving for 21 years.

For the past 13 years, Mrs. Kazemzadeh has worked in Facilities Management. She serves as the Administrative Associate to the Director of the Division of Building Maintenance, helping ensure the Division’s 100 employees have what they need to keep the University operating smoothly. Supporting so many skilled and dedicated people energizes her.

“Attitude and service are important to me. In each position I have held, I’ve always tried to approach my work as a support to leadership, co-workers, and graduate students,” she says.

Outside of work, Mrs. Kazemzadeh has been happily married for 50 years and is a proud grandmother to two grandchildren. After May 31, she aims to walk 10,000 steps each day and start several pending projects, including learning languages. She has a degree in Spanish, and speaks a little Persian, Chinese, and Turkish. She says she feels learning languages helps to build bridges between people. In fact, her interest in working with and learning about others has been a contributing factor to her success at UT Southwestern.

“I have appreciated getting to know and working with such a diverse group of thoughtful, inquisitive, and professional people. UT Southwestern has been my home-away-from-home for most of my life, and many people here are part of my family,” Mrs. Kazemzadeh says.