Adam Khalifa - LACC Student Spotlight of the Week
Turning Passion Into Purpose – A Kinesiology Journey at LACC
For many students, community college is a stepping stone. For one standout Kinesiology major at Los Angeles City College (LACC), it has been the launching pad for a purpose-driven career.
Drawn to LACC by its well-regarded Kinesiology Department and Personal Training Academy, AdamKhalifa began his journey with a mission to become a certified personal trainer and enter the workforce as quickly as possible. After completing the program requirements, he earned multiple primary and secondary certifications and has now been a practicing personal trainer for over two years.
But his ambitions didn’t stop there.
Coming from a family of athletes, his father a former Olympic swimmer and rower, athletics runs in his blood. As a former competitive swimmer himself, the transition into fitness and training felt natural. Yet his path wasn’t always clear. At one point, he was working as a fast-food delivery driver, unsure of how to enter the fitness industry. It was discovering LACC’s Personal Training Certificate program and reaching out to Professor Peter Parasiliti that changed everything. "The rest was history," he says.
Throughout his time at LACC, he found more than just a place to learn. He found a community of support. “What I love about the college the most is the opportunities and resources that are available to students,” he says. Programs like EOPS, the LACC Foundation, and the Writing Center played a vital role in his academic success.
He believes that what makes LACC truly special is the dedication of its faculty and staff. “Everyone is there to help you. All that is required is passion and curiosity. Professors and faculty will go out of their way to aid you in your journey,” he explains.
Now focused on completing his coursework, he plans to transfer to California State University, Northridge to finish his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. His long-term vision is to attend physical therapy school at the University of Southern California. His dream is to train elite athletes and help them recover from injury, guiding them from rehabilitation back to peak performance. Ultimately, he hopes to open his own practice and build a successful business doing what he loves.
His advice for new students is clear, "Be very intentional with your time and don’t waste it. You can do so much in a very short period of time. My story and journey are living proof of that. Not everything takes as long as you think it does. Time goes by fast, so be intentional about where your time is going.”
When he’s not studying or training, you can often find him in the stands cheering on LACC’s Men’s Basketball team—a small reminder that school spirit and community are also a big part of the college experience. From athlete to trainer, from uncertainty to clarity, this LACC student is a shining example of how purpose, passion, and persistence can turn opportunity into achievement.
