Alumni of The Month

1. Introduce yourself?

I am Rania Albassoumi, a Business Psychologist, an honors graduate of the University of Jordan (Class of 2017), and the founder of Wellpreneur, the first founder-first ecosystem builder in the region.

Over the years, I have worked at the intersection of psychology, entrepreneurship, and leadership, focusing on designing wellbeing and resilience systems for organizations and founders. I have trained 5,000+ professionals and leaders and collaborated with 40+ organizations across the private sector and NGOs, including the Crown Prince Foundation. My work has also taken me deep into the entrepreneurship ecosystem, where I worked closely with accelerators and incubators such as Startupbootcamp, Orange Jordan's BIG, Parachute16, and the Founder Institute, supporting founders and leadership teams across different stages of growth.

As a founder of Wellpreneur, I am leading the design of founder-first programs in the MENA region, embedding wellbeing and psychological resilience into growth journeys as a core innovation that elevates the quality, effectiveness, and long-term impact of entrepreneurial support.

2. Share your fondest memory from your time at Jordan University?

One of my fondest memories from my time at the University of Jordan was graduation day, when I received an honors degree for my academic performance. I still keep the excellence performance certificate, along with the watch I was gifted, it reminds me of the value of time and holds many meaningful memories from that chapter.

3.  In one word, how would you describe Jordan University?

   Transformative

4. Explain how your experiences at UJ shaped you?

My experience at the University of Jordan was truly transformative, it shaped not only my knowledge, but also my personality. Some of the best memories of my life were formed there. The university felt like a strong incubator and a vibrant community, and it marked an important period of self-exploration and continuous learning for me.

The diversity of students, the large campus, and the exposure to different departments created a rich and stimulating environment. Beyond academics, I was actively involved in non-academic activities. I had the opportunity to serve as a leading team member in my department's student team, Anova, where we organized events to introduce university students to psychology.

Although I excelled academically, I made a conscious effort to dedicate time to developing my soft skills, engaging with the diverse student community, and participating in workshops and courses organized by the Student Council. These experiences played a key role in shaping my communication skills, leadership abilities, and sense of initiative.

Overall, my time at UJ helped me grow intellectually, socially, and personally, laying a strong foundation for the path I chose to pursue afterward.

5. Discuss what fascinated you about your chosen course of study?

What fascinated me most about my chosen course of study was that my curiosity didn't stop once I joined psychology, it actually deepened.

Even after enrolling in the program, I remained curious about other fields and continued exploring different disciplines. To better understand my interests, I attended lectures across multiple departments. At one point, I submitted a request to transfer to chemical engineering, then reconsidered and briefly shifted toward Fine Arts.

During this period of exploration, I engaged more deeply with psychology and began to appreciate the depth it offers in understanding human behavior, as well as the wide range of areas it covers. Psychology fulfilled my curiosity in a way no other field did. Through this process, I realized that I not only enjoyed the subject, but also had what it takes to become a strong organizational psychologist.

From that moment on, I truly fell in love with psychology. I was fascinated by how this science can be applied to help individuals become more self-aware, improve effectiveness, and grow into better versions of themselves.

6. Offer advice to graduating students preparing to enter the workforce?

My advice to graduating students is not to wait until graduation to start preparing for the workforce.

Enjoy the journey, but be intentional with it. Make an effort to meet people from different communities, get involved in student initiatives and events, and take advantage of internships while you're still studying.

Many of the most important skills, especially soft skills and emotional intelligence, are developed through real interactions with people, not textbooks. These skills are often what open doors to meaningful opportunities. Finally, invest in self-learning. Learn what you need, apply it in real life, and you'll start to see the impact unfold.

7. Reflect on what you wish you had known during your time as a student?

Looking back, there isn't much I wish I had known during my time as a student.

My university years were rich with exploration, and I believe I made the most of them both academically and socially.

However, if there's one thing I would change, it would be to document my work more intentionally and be more active on LinkedIn and in personal branding. At the time, I rarely spoke about my achievements. I later learned that sharing your experiences and building connections are among the most powerful ways to open new opportunities.

8. Identify the person who has had the greatest impact on your career?

The person who has had the greatest impact on my career is my mother, Sawsan Tbakhi.

She has been the foundation of my resilience and the constant support throughout every stage of my journey.

Many people have influenced my career in different ways. Some did so through challenges and difficult lessons that pushed me to grow and strengthen my resilience. Others believed in me and helped me see my potential. Dr. Hashem Alfakhouri was one of those who saw my potential early on and encouraged me to trust it. Dr. Marwan Alzobi later introduced me to organizational psychology, the field I chose to pursue.

Each of these individuals influenced different phases of my career, but the one who has been with me through every high and low has always been my mother. I am deeply grateful to have her constant presence and support.