Â鶹ÊÓƵ

When asked the classic “Tell me about yourself,” biology (pre-med) student Mohamed Irhabi smiled. His answer was simple:“I love sports. I love to be competitive.”

That drive to compete, Irhabi explains, isn’t just about the soccer field or the wrestling mat — it’s how he approaches his academics, his leadership roles, and even his everyday routine.

“I turned academics into a competition, just between me and myself,” he said. “Every morning I wake up and think: okay, what needs to be done? If there’s an exam, you prepare. If there’s an opportunity, you pursue it.”

That mindset has carried him far at Â鶹ÊÓƵ (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) — a school he didn’t originally plan to attend. Irhabi was set on the University of Houston until his father received a phone call from a Lamar alumnus.

The caller’s message was persuasive: at Lamar, Mohamed would find not only strong academics but also a supportive community and opportunities that could help him reach his goals.

“Even though it’s a smaller campus,” Irhabi recalls being told, “there’s a lot more grace than just having the name of a big university.”

The decision wasn’t easy. Irhabi had also been accepted into Texas A&M, Trinity University, and UT Dallas. But after prayer and reflection, he chose Â鶹ÊÓƵ.

“Since then, I’ve only found the best,” he said.

That “best” has included internships, research, and mentorships directly connected to his ultimate goal: medical school.
Through shadowing neurologist and neuropsychiatrist Dr. Carlo Hamza, Irhabi earned an internship at a local clinic that eventually turned into part-time work.“I just asked to shadow him,” he recalled. “He encouraged me, gave me opportunities, and then suddenly I was part of the team.”

That experience opened doors to research opportunities and eventually led to Irhabi’s selection as a Beck Fellow — one of Lamar’s most prestigious student honors.

His fellowship took him across the globe to Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar, where he conducted research in neurology and ophthalmology. For Irhabi, the experience was life-changing — not only academically, but personally.

“The Beck Fellowship was a huge blessing,” he said. “I got to do neurology and ophthalmology research overseas, and it connected perfectly to what I had already been doing here. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Medical school remains his next big step, though he’s still exploring specialties. Cardiology appeals to him deeply — as a child, he witnessed firsthand the impact that life-changing procedures had on his family. Dermatology fascinates him for its complexity, while ophthalmology continues to intrigue him through his mentors’ influence.

Opportunities like these, Irhabi believes, wouldn’t have been possible without the Reaud Honors College.

“My first semester, it was already too late to apply,” he said. “I was asking people, ‘Should I join? Is it legit or just extra work?’ A few people said no, but the vast majority of high-achieving students — Beck Fellows, researchers, people I respected — they were all in the Honors College. So it only made sense for me to join.”

Since then, it’s become a cornerstone of his Lamar experience.

“The Honors College has been extremely supportive,” he said. “They don’t just expect you to take harder classes — they push you to pursue high-impact opportunities like internships, projects, and research. They connect you with faculty, check in on what you’re doing, and hold you to a higher standard in the best way possible. They want you to grow holistically, not just academically.”

For Irhabi, that accountability matters.

“It motivates me when I know people expect more of me,” he said. “It makes me work harder, and it’s not pressure in a bad way — it’s encouragement.”

Outside the classroom, Irhabi has revived the Mixed Martial Arts Club, served as vice president of the Muslim Student Association and Helping Hands Club, represented peers in Student Government, and contributed to the American Medical Student Association by building its website from scratch.

“I love sports, competition, and being involved,” he said. “Even if something isn’t in my field, I’ll try it if it means helping my community.”

Balancing classes, research, leadership roles, and time with family and friends requires the same competitive focus that first defined him. Each day, he pushes himself further — whether that means studying for an exam, sparring at the Rec Center, or preparing for his future as a physician.

He hasn’t yet chosen between cardiology, dermatology, or ophthalmology, but one thing is certain:“We’ll see where the wind takes me,” Irhabi said with a grin. “I’ll end up where I’m meant to be.”

And if his journey so far is any indication, that destination will be one of impact, service, and success — supported by the opportunities, mentorship, and community of Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Reaud Honors College.

To learn more about Mohamed or the Reaud Honors College, listen to Â鶹ÊÓƵ Moment at .