Emad Rahim

Emad Rahim, a survivor of the Cambodian Killing Fields, is an accomplished Fulbright recipient, TEDx speaker, postdoc fellow, and award-winning author, entrepreneur, and teacher. His remarkable journey from a concentration camp in the Killing Fields of Cambodia to the United States, where he was raised in Brooklyn and Syracuse, New York, has been immortalized in the short documentary "Against the Odds," which won the F.A.M.E.'US International Film Festival’s 2016 Bronze Award. His life story was also adapted into a theater production titled "Tales from the Salt City."

Dr. Rahim is an esteemed educator, higher education administrator, and business leader who is skilled in making rapid assessments of diverse situational challenges and developing and leading the resulting action plans. He's been featured in various publications like the Huffington Post, Rutgers' The Humanist, Forbes, CEO Magazine, WorldClass Magazine, and The Post Standard, and has been covered by BBC and NPR. His personal journey saw him overcoming struggles with street violence, gangs, drugs, poverty, family abuse, and dyslexia to become an award-winning educator.

In recognition of his contributions, he received the Outstanding Alumni Award issued by the American Association of Community Colleges, was honored with the John H. Mulroy Founder's Award by OCC’s Board of Trustees, and received a Community Impact Award from SUNY ESC. He was also recognized by the United Nations Foundation as an Empact100 Honoree, received a Congressional Award for Civic Engagement, and a City Proclamation by Syracuse City Mayor Ben Walsh.

Currently, Rahim serves as the Kotouc Family Endowed Chair and Professor at Bellevue University. With his diverse experience and background, he continues to be a dynamic figure in higher education and business leadership.

Dr. Rahim holds post-doctorate credentials from Harvard University, Tulane University, and the University of Maryland. He earned a Ph.D. in Sustainability from Capitol Technology University, a Doctor of Management (D.M.), and an MS in Project Management and Business Management from Colorado Technical University. He completed his undergraduate education at SUNY Empire State College (ESC) and SUNY Onondaga Community College (OCC). He received an honorary Ph.D. from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.