Mekhi Tchassama ’25, an NCAA Division III student-athlete (football) and Gate of Opportunity Scholar, graduated with a degree in communication (PR concentration) and a minor in sociology. He’s pursuing an MBA at Berry while working as a sales associate at Ameris Bank.
Mekhi credits Berry’s academic and work opportunities with shaping him into a well-rounded professional: “I’m a ‘Swiss Army knife’ in PR, media, marketing and social relations because my coursework and work experience have given me a broad skill set for various roles.”
Berry’s communication program allowed Mekhi to apply his knowledge through collaborative projects and immersive classwork.
“Some of the classes in the communication department even feel like you're working in a corporate job due to the in-class discussions and out-of-class responsibility,” he explains.
Outside the classroom, Mekhi gained practical experience through on-campus jobs.
“My LifeWorks roles taught me a lot about handling real responsibilities,” he says. “As the media coordinator and co-lead peer consultant [for the Academic Success Center], I learned how to lead and connect with others while creating content to engage students.
“Working as a social media assistant for Berry’s official channels, I got hands-on experience in crafting posts that fit our brand and resonate with students. Both roles showed me how to balance creative work with strategic thinking — skills that are super valuable in PR and social media.”
Mekhi’s efforts culminated in a PR internship at the Rome Floyd Chamber. He stepped confidently into the role with support from mentors Kim Field-Springer, associate professor of communication, and Kinsey Farmer, associate director of academic transitions.
“I brought skills like content creation, media relations and event coordination into the internship,” he says. Representing the chamber at community events also allowed me to practice networking and public speaking.”
With a firm grasp of his skill set, Mekhi feels prepared to enter the career he has always dreamed of.
“I’m excited to apply both my PR expertise and the business knowledge I’ll gain from the MBA to help organizations grow, improve their public image and navigate the evolving media landscape,” he reflects. “My ultimate goal is to take on a leadership role in PR, where I can drive strategic communication and build strong brand reputations.”
Story by senior Audrey Bennett
