The defining validation came on March 9, 2023.
On that date, Bay Atlantic University earned initial accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) — one of the most rigorous accrediting bodies in the country. The recognition confirmed BAU’s academic rigor and institutional stability, placing it within the same accreditation community as the region’s most established universities.
Bay Atlantic University is a 501(c)(3) non-profit recognized by the IRS.
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Business and Economics
Professor of Economics
Dr. Zelalem Chala holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Economics and an M.S. in Data Analytics. He has over 10 years of experience teaching undergraduate and MBA courses in economics, business statistics, data analytics, international trade and finance courses. At Bay Atlantic University, he teaches Quantitative Methods in Business and Economics, Research Methods, Urban Economics and Econometrics. His professional experience includes project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, with a focus on economic development and institutional capacity building. Dr. Chala’s research interests include economic development, trade, and marketing analysis.
Business and Economics
Professor of Business and Management
Jarvis Tyrell Curry, Ph.D., J.D., is a business management and legal professor with over twenty years of leadership in the private sector and California state agencies. His novel research explores business strategy, digital platforms, financial literacy, neuromarketing, risk culture, and film economics. He believes in student-centered learning approaches and teaches analytics, finance, innovation, and strategy at the University of the Cumberlands, emphasizing student-centered instruction. His published work includes cybersecurity, human capital, fraud detection, and film studies. Outside academia, he enjoys traveling, sports, barbecuing, and swimming.
Political Science and International Relations
Professor of Political Science and International Relations
Dr. Caroline Batka is a senior military analyst at Comenius University and an adjunct Professor at Bay Atlantic University. Her current research focuses on hybrid warfare, nonstate actors in security and defense, and institutional change, and she has done extensive research on military programs and policy, and veterans’ health care and benefits. Dr. Batka is an experienced qualitative researcher, having conducted and analyzed hundreds of interviews with policymakers and practitioners on complex and sensitive topics.
Political Science and International Relations
Professor of Political Science and International Relations
Dr. Ecehan Genç Yıldız received her Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations from Boğaziçi University. She earned her M.Sc. in Political Sociology from the London School of Economics as a Chevening Scholar and her B.Sc. from Bahcesehir University, where she graduated as Valedictorian. She has conducted research at Freedom House and Yale University and has more than 15 years of teaching experience in Political Science.
Information Sciences and Engineering
Professor of Information Sciences and Engineering
Dr. Zhouying He is a data scientist and educator with over 10 years of industrial experience leveraging advanced machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data analytics to address complex challenges and deliver measurable business impact. Dr. He earned a Ph.D. in 2015 and has since worked across a broad range of industries. Expertise spans advanced machine learning algorithms, predictive modeling, and large language models (LLMs). As a faculty member, Dr. He is passionate about bringing real-world industry experience into the classroom to provide a dynamic, hands-on learning environment that prepares students to navigate today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Information Sciences and Engineering
Professor of Information Sciences and Engineering
Dr. Micheline Al Harrack holds a Doctorate in Cybersecurity, an MBA in Management and MSM in Project Management. Her areas of interest fall within the intersection of Machine Learning Applications, Data Mining, statistical Analysis, Linguistics, Data Analytics and Cybersecurity in addition to her expertise in taxation as an EA. She has been certified as a CyberOps instructor. She presents and publishes her research in regional and national conferences with awards winnings in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Information Sciences and Engineering
Professor of Information Sciences and Engineering
Dr. Emmanuel Segun is an Information Technology (IT) leader, educator, and mentor, with more than 25 years of experience supporting commercial and federal agencies in the area of IT contract program management. He serves as a professor of information systems and is ardent in promoting the study of data security and privacy. Dr. Segun earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Management and Master of Science in Information Systems and Telecommunications for Business. His research focus is in cybersecurity and the protection of users’ privacy. His expertise is in security controls and Information Technology and Infrastructure Library (ITIL).
Information Sciences and Engineering
Professor of Information Sciences and Engineering
Dr. Tsige Tessema is a network and cybersecurity operations leader, educator, researcher, and strategic advisor with over a decade of experience across government, academia, and industry. She supports Network and cybersecurity operations for the U.S. Department of State, serves as Founder and Strategic Advisor of TTechnos LLC, and founded Raeye Children Aid to expand educational and technology opportunities for underserved communities. As an Adjunct Professor at Bay Atlantic University, she advances experiential learning and workforce readiness. Based on her doctoral research, she proposed and is leading the development of the CyberEdge Innovation Hub (CEIH), providing hands-on education in networking, cybersecurity operations, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and cyber defense.
Information Sciences and Engineering
Professor of Information Sciences and Engineering
JC Martin Castro is a cybersecurity professional, educator, consultant, and Vice President of Bear Tree Security Inc. with over 10 years of experience in the technology industry. He provides cybersecurity consulting services to both private sector organizations and government agencies. JC Martin holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of the District of Columbia and a Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity from the University of Maryland. His areas of expertise include cybersecurity, data science, STEM education, and technology innovation. Passionate about mentoring and community engagement, JC Martin is dedicated to developing future technology leaders.
Business and Economics
Professor of Economics
Dr. Divine Kangami is an educator, economist, and researcher with expertise in economics, quantitative analysis, statistics, and mathematics. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of the Witwatersrand, a master’s in economics from the University of the Western Cape, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning from Glasgow Caledonian University. His interests include applied economics, economic development, data analysis, financial systems, and educational technology. He is committed to student-centered learning, research, curriculum development, and mentoring that strengthens critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Political Science and International Relations
Professor of Political Science and International Relations
Jason Ray Hutchison is a geopolitical advisor, former U.S. diplomat, and university professor with nearly 20 years of experience across diplomacy, consulting, and international affairs. During his Foreign Service career, he worked on NATO negotiations, humanitarian response, and post-conflict stabilization. He currently leads consulting services at Precision Talent Solutions and teaches political science and international relations at Bay Atlantic University, where he uses case studies, simulations, and applied tradecraft to connect theory with practice.
Information Sciences and Engineering
Professor of Information Sciences and Engineering
Dr. Zelalem Mengistu is a cybersecurity leader, educator, and practitioner, with more than 20 years of experience supporting federal agencies and global initiatives. He serves as a professor of cybersecurity and is passionate about advancing cybersecurity education and workforce development. Dr. Mengistu is the recipient of BAUs Faculty of the Year Award twice — in 2024 and 2026. His expertise includes Cloud Security, AI security, Threat Hunting, Security Architecture, Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC), and emerging technologies.
Information Sciences and Engineering
Department Chair
Dr. Pipop Nuangpookka has been in the information technology industry since 2005, focusing on software engineering in network infrastructure and security. He started teaching Computer Science courses in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, in 2007. Dr. Pipop earned his Doctor of Science in Cybersecurity and Master of Science in Computer Science with a specialty in Software Engineering. His research interests are in Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Security Controls, Non-Destructive Methods for Detecting Hardware Attacks, Web Server Protection, and Bilingual Translator Programming.
