Salachi ’19 Receives Economics and Global Studies Award for Academic Excellence
Assumption senior Emma C. Salachi has been named the recipient of the 2019 George A. Doyle Merit Award for Excellence in Economics or Global Studies. Salachi, of Mansfield, is a double major in global studies and Italian studies. She received her award during a ceremony on March 28.
The George A. Doyle Merit Award was created in 1990 and named for the late Professor George Doyle, Ph.D., who established the economics and global studies program at Assumption. Because of the generosity of Dr. Doyle’s friends, family and colleagues, Assumption annually recognizes a student who possesses extraordinary intellect, has a passion for community service and demonstrates strong potential within the field. The award includes a cash award of $2,000.
While at Assumption, Salachi has discovered and nurtured her love for global studies. She discovered the global studies major during her first year and was intrigued by its interdisciplinary nature, infinite number of future career paths, and the study abroad requirement.
“The global studies major changed the way I approach critical thinking about global problems,” said Salachi, who plans to pursue a master’s degree in global studies, global public policy or international affairs. “It has taught me to avoid ethnocentrism and to better understand the differences between all cultures and how these differences are unique and beneficial to the world as a whole. Through this major, I have learned about the many factors that make cultures and communities what they are, and that we can learn important things from those who are different than us.”
Salachi spent the fall 2017 semester studying at Assumption’s Rome, Italy, campus, an experience she said gave her “the global outlook that I needed to excel in the global studies major and to prepare myself for a future career in international relations.” It is also where she cultivated her Italian language skills and added it as a second major; in fall 2018, Salachi helped establish Assumption’s first Italian Club.
Last fall she was selected as a student member of the Worcester World Affairs Council of America, whose purpose is to educate, inspire, and engage its members in international affairs and to foster dialogue between local civic leaders and invited experts in the field. She is a member of the Honors Program, and her thesis focuses on Italy’s struggle with the current immigration crisis in Europe. While at Assumption, she also worked at the d’Alzon Library Research Help Desk; volunteered with the Academic Support Center; and has been a member of the Women’s Club Volleyball team all four years, serving as the team’s coach, president, and this year, captain. Her father, Alexander Salachi, graduated from Assumption in 1975 with an English degree.
The ceremony’s keynote speaker was Derek Mohamed ’98, who holds a bachelor’s degree in economics with a minor in finance and is a 1998 recipient of the Doyle Award. Mohamed is currently the managing director of wealth management and a wealth management advisor for Mohamed-Merola Wealth Management, Merrill Lynch in Wellesley Hills, a business he “started from zero” after graduating from Assumption. During his address, Mohamed emphasized the importance of grit and finding one’s passion, adding that his current career blends his love for “economics, wealth management, and the ability to help people.” He urged students to “find something you are passionate about and then don’t ever quit.”
In 2018, Forbes named Mohamed to their “Best in State Wealth Advisor” list. Since graduating from Assumption, he has distinguished himself within his field, having acquired advanced certifications such as a CPWA (Certified Private Wealth Advisor), CRPC (Certified Retirement Planning Counselor) and AAMS (Accredited Asset Management Specialist).