Lipscomb Online graduate balances technology courses with work for United Nations
Alumnus Osama Alsalman aims to use the knowledge, values learned at Lipscomb to serve others to the betterment of societies.
Kim Chaudoin, Keely Hagan |
There is no one type of Lipscomb Online student. They attend undergraduate and graduate classes in a variety of subjects, from locations across the country and around the world. Each has unique motives, needs and preferences, but even with that distinction, recent Lipscomb Online graduate Osama Alsalman makes for a unique case.
This spring he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in technology management through Lipscomb’s online program while living in Geneva, Switzerland, and working for the United Nations as an information and evidence officer.
In this role, Alsalman helps to battle human rights violations and effectively manage the complexities of digital evidence in international criminal investigations. He focuses on legal technology, electronic discovery and assisting in the design of the initial eDiscovery protocol. Additionally, he helps develop the technology needed to implement these procedures.
“Graduating college is a significant achievement in my life,” says Alsalman. “It required years of hard work, dedication, and determination. I feel very proud of the success of completing this phase of my education.”
Alsalman is no stranger to perseverance and determination. He began his college education in his hometown of Baghdad, Iraq, but after about a year, he dropped out for the opportunity to work for the United States Army.
“I was a combat interpreter going out on patrols with the U.S. Army, helping out with the missions and translating between the U.S. soldiers and the locals,” says Alsalman.
Several years later, Alsalman made the move to the United States thanks to a special immigration visa issued for anyone who worked for the U.S. government in Iraq. Once stateside, he explored different cities and jobs before landing his dream job, in his city of choice.
With Page One Legal, a Nashville-based, national eDiscovery and litigation support provider, Alsalman was able to live in Nashville full time, achieve his goal of developing expertise in the technology sector, and gain experience that prepared him for his current position with the United Nations.
“It was just a handful of us who knew about the legal technology industry then,” says Alsalman. “It’s well-known in the U.S., but it’s kind of like a brand new industry in Europe, and especially with the United Nations. So it made me more excited to join this program and to be the first ones to try to build the legal technology processes within international law.”
Going from a small business in Nashville to working for a massive global organization had its challenges. Even for someone with a background in translation, a potential language barrier of that magnitude can be daunting.
“Not only is it very big, but it’s very diverse,” says Alsalman. “You have employees from all over the world, working in one place. My background is as a translator working with different languages, so that was a challenge that I understood. But luckily, within the United Nations pretty much everyone who works here speaks English. And within the city in Geneva, a lot of people speak English.”
But Alsalman says any struggles were worth it for an opportunity like this.
“It’s also very beneficial to work with these different cultures and people from different areas and different backgrounds,” says Alsalman. “They can add so much, so it’s been a great experience.”
Despite extensive experience in the field, Alsalman did not have a degree, which is where Lipscomb Online came into play. In his new role with the UN, he was able to carve out time to pursue a degree.
“My Lipscomb experience was truly enriching and rewarding,” says Alsalman. “The diverse range of courses and the quality of the program allowed me to explore various subjects and gain a well-rounded education. Overall, my time at Lipscomb University was transformative, both academically and personally, preparing me for success in my career and life beyond the classroom.
“From here, I aim to make a positive impact by leveraging the skills, knowledge, and values instilled in me during my time at Lipscomb, by contributing to serving others, to the betterment of societies, and inspiring others to do the same.”