UALR student graduates with mass communication degree after professional soccer career
LITTLE ROCK -- Ahmed Elkhattabi, a senior from Bryant, graduated this fall magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication-journalism and a double minor in photography and sports management.
A native of Tripoli, Libya, Elkhattabi has felt a passion for writing since childhood.
“I love writing. It came naturally to me even as a little kid,” Elkhattabi recalled. “When I was in middle school, I won first place in a writing competition. That was when I started to realize my skills in writing.”
Despite his love for writing, Elkhattabi played soccer professionally before deciding to pursue his college education. When he transitioned to college, his draw toward the field of mass communication stemmed from his love for sports, but he quickly realized that his interest in journalism went deeper than that.
“When I started studying, I realized that this field was interesting to me even outside of sports,” said Elkhattabi. “I started to see all the possibilities in this field. There are so many different things you can do in mass communication.”
Getting back into the routine of school took a bit of work, but Elkhattabi says he appreciates the surroundings at UA Little Rock for making that easier.
“I lived in New York before coming here, and I never would
have done it there,” Elkhattabi reflected. “It would have been too distracting. UA Little Rock has a peaceful environment and provided me with the tools to be successful in my college career. I was able to focus and achieve my goals. I’ve even been able to be on the dean’s and chancellor’s lists.”
While he’s studied, Elkhattabi has also gotten some valuable work experience in the field. He has worked at UA Little Rock as an editorial assistant in the Office of Communications and Marketing through the Federal Work Study Program, at ESPN + at UA Little Rock, as well as working as a freelance reporter for the Arkansas Democratgazette. These experiences have helped him to determine what direction he’d like to take his career in the future.
Elkhattabi emphasized the important role that college has played in his life.
“A lot of people these days talk about how school isn’t important,” said Elkhattabi. “But for me, college has molded me into the person I want to be. It’s been very important to me.”
After graduation, Elkhattabi looks forward to taking his next step at UA Little Rock to earn his master’s degree in mass communications.
“I am excited to start my master’s degree,” said Elkhattabi. “It’s something I never thought I would do.”
With about 9,000 students and 100 programs, UA Little Rock offers learning, research, service, social and career opportunities that can only be found at a metropolitan university located in Arkansas’s capital city.