Welcome back to another edition of Inside the Mind of an Academic. This time, I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Dr. Khalid Aram, an Assistant Professor of Management and Director of Assessment in the School of Business and Technology at Emporia State University (ESU).
From Gaza’s Shores to Academic Excellence
Dr. Aram’s journey is both inspiring and deeply rooted in resilience. Born and raised in Gaza, Palestine, he grew up along the coast as a fisherman, a trade he practiced with his family. While fishing is now a leisure activity for him, those early experiences shaped his work ethic and worldview. With strong academic performance in high school, he pursued his passion for engineering. He chose industrial engineering, a field that he’s been always passionate about. After finishing his undergraduate studies, he traveled to Jordan, where he earned his master’s degree.
A Scholar with a Passion for Impact
While completing his master’s, Dr. Aram worked as an instructor, gaining valuable teaching experience. He later earned a Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Binghamton University in Binghamton, NY. During his PhD study, he shifted focus to the management and operations research aspects of the field. Much of his Ph.D. research concentrated on healthcare operations, particularly improving efficiency in emergency departments (EDs) by mitigating bottlenecks and patient flow inefficiencies.
His dissertation focused on developing a mathematical and computational framework for optimized variable selection for machine learning models. His framework aimed to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of machine learning models through selecting optimal and irredundant variables. He continues to integrate these techniques into his applied research in the areas of supply chain management, and quantitative decision making, and healthcare operations, among others. Today, he teaches Quantitative Management Science courses to undergraduate Business Administration and MBA students, as well as Business Statistics to undergraduates.
Bringing Healthcare and Operations Together
Since joining ESU, Dr. Aram has continued his research in healthcare. He collaborates with doctors, nurses, engineers, and software developers to develop decision-support tools that improve operational outcomes and patient care to both locally and globally. His current research includes addressing:
- ED crowding mitigation strategies
- Ed operational efficiency, analysis, and improvement
- Bed availability and hospital inpatient inefficiencies
In his current research, Dr. Aram develops hybrid simulation, mathematical optimization, and machine learning approaches to design and analyze strategies that can be implemented worldwide, not just in the U.S, and worldwide. He is also engaged in interdisciplinary work with finance, accounting, and cybersecurity faculty, focusing on research that utilizes machine learning and other quantitative models.
Teaching Beyond the Textbook
Dr. Aram’s teaching style is discussion-based, engaging, and rooted in real-life application. He creates simulations like coffee shop and soda factory scenarios to teach students inventory management while developing their communication, presentation, and software skills, especially using Excel. He encourages student involvement in career fairs and local business partnerships, noting that students often return with messages of gratitude for his career guidance, which he considers one of the most rewarding parts of his job.
A Community Leader and Advocate
Beyond academia, Dr. Aram is a community leader. He helps run the Islamic Center in Emporia, organizing prayers, community events, and Ramadan iftars. As the faculty advisor for the Muslim Student Association, he supports students in hosting inclusive events that enrich campus life. One notable success was a Ramadan Iftar gathering at the Memorial Union, a beloved event that brought together diverse members of the ESU community.
On AI, Growth, and Lifelong Learning
Dr. Aram embraces Artificial Intelligence as a productivity tool, and not a replacement for human intelligence. He sees it as both a challenge and an opportunity, emphasizing the importance of staying curious and adaptive in a rapidly changing world.
He left us with thoughtful advice:
- To students: “Use your time in school to sharpen your mind. Focus on developing your critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and strategic networking skills. Pursue internships and real-world experiences to apply what you learn. Cultivate patience, and recognize that your priorities will evolve, take time to re-assess them at every stage of your journey.”
- To faculty: “Research keeps us academically alive. Embrace interdisciplinary collaboration, adapt to change, and never stop learning.”
- To parents: “Promote curiosity and a love for learning. Encourage your children and yourselves to become lifelong learners.”
Dr. Khalid Aram’s journey, from the shores of Gaza to the classrooms and research serves as a powerful reminder of how passion, perseverance, and purpose can shape a meaningful academic and professional life. Whether he’s guiding students through complex quantitative models, collaborating with healthcare professionals to improve patient outcomes, or building inclusive communities on campus, Dr. Aram exemplifies the heart of academic excellence and social impact. His story not only inspires future scholars but also reinforces the value of education, empathy, and lifelong learning in building a better world.
Watch the clip below to hear from him directly, and join me next time for another edition of Inside the Mind of an Academic, where we continue to explore the inspiring journeys of scholars making a difference.