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Through his Master of Science in industrial/organizational psychology program, Rashid Abuelmaali ’23G is preparing for a career focused on improving work environments—from performance and communication to personal satisfaction. A role quite similar to his current one as an Emerging Scholars success coach at Salem State.

“In my master’s program, we study psychology theories that can be used in the workplace to make it better for the organization. We’re people focused, much like my work as a success coach,” says Rashid. 

The Emerging Scholars program connects invited first-year students with a success coach to provide support in adjusting to both the academic and social life at the university. Rashid meets with 32 first-year students on a biweekly basis, acting as an accountability partner and academic resource.

“I help them stay engaged on campus, encouraging them to join clubs and go to events. But it’s also about helping them structure their work. We work on scheduling, study habits and notetaking—all of which are critical to being a successful student.”

Like his fellow success coaches, Rashid’s mentoring helps create a close-knit learning community for first-year students, enhancing their college experience and helping them persist, even when confronted with challenges.

“For our emerging scholars, knowing that they have someone like me to talk to and to support them makes a big difference. Working in the first year experience office has really helped me develop my own identity and has reinforced my work in the I/O psychology program. I’m grateful to be here to have this learning experience.”