Dear BAU Community,
As we wrap up another remarkable academic year, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude and reflect on the highlights of this past month. From impactful initiatives to joyful celebrations, it’s been a time of purpose and pride here at Bay Atlantic University.
Most notably, we came together to celebrate our graduating class with an unforgettable commencement ceremony. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who played a role in the graduation committee, your dedication and hard work made this year’s celebration truly special.
A Few Highlights from May:
As we get closer to launching our two new spaces:
- The Center for Innovation & Global Entrepreneurship
- Cyber Edge Innovation Hub
I want to thank everyone who has contributed to bringing this project to life.
These hubs will provide the tools, support, and community needed to help the next generation of leaders in entrepreneurship and cybersecurity. I look forward to sharing more details with you soon.
BAU is launching a new residency program in partnership with the Global Policy Institute (GPI), offering scholars and researchers dedicated space, resources, and the opportunity to teach as an adjunct faculty. This initiative fosters interdisciplinary collaboration through panels, lectures, and joint research with BAU faculty and students.
This month, we kicked off the summer semester and welcomed our new students to campus. As classes begin and connections are made, we’re excited for an inspiring and impactful term ahead, filled with hands-on learning, new opportunities, and the continued pursuit of academic and professional growth. From classroom breakthroughs to career-building experiences, we can’t wait to see what this summer holds.
We participated in the Asian Heritage Festival in Washington, DC, celebrating culture, community, and diversity. Our Student Government Association Vice President, Bea Conto, represented BAU at the event, where she connected with attendees and shared more about our campus and academic opportunities.
Alumni Spotlight:
Shair Shah Toukhi, MBA – Class of 2025 | Presidential Award Recipient
“This MBA journey was not just a degree, but a life-changing experience that brought valuable learning and new perspectives. Over the past two years, I had the incredible opportunity to meet and connect with classmates from different countries and cultures, which greatly enriched my personal and professional outlook.”
Amrullah Sediqee, MS in Big Data Analytics – Class of 2025 | 3.9 GPA
“This milestone is not just a reflection of sleepless nights, tough deadlines, and countless hours of study—but also of the unwavering support I received along the way. To my amazing mother, siblings, friends, and mentors at Bay Atlantic University, thank you for believing in me. This achievement is a reminder that hard work pays off, and this is just the beginning. I’m excited for what’s next in the journey of using data to create meaningful change.”
Zeineb Barrak, BBA in Management – Class of 2025
“This achievement reflects years of dedication, growth, and learning. I’m incredibly grateful to my professors for their guidance, especially Dr. Selin Germirli, who supported me as my advisor, and Dr. Sean Michael Cox, whose mentorship and leadership have been a true inspiration. Balancing full-time work and studies was challenging, but the encouragement from my professors, family, and my husband made this milestone possible. I’m looking forward to the next chapter with excitement and purpose.”
Carlos Grandez, MBA – Class of 2025
“Pursuing higher education overseas has been a life-changing experience filled with valuable learning. All the hard work, late nights, and sacrifices were worth it. This journey taught me resilience, growth, and the power of believing in myself. I’m incredibly grateful to my family here in the U.S., especially my mother and my partner for their unwavering support. A special thank you to my advisor, Perliter Walters-Gilliam, and to my alma mater in Peru, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, for laying the foundation that helped me reach this milestone. I’m stepping into the next chapter with gratitude and ambition.”
2025 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
The Moments Before the Tassel Turned: Our 2025 Commencement Ceremony brought together global leaders, proud graduates, and inspiring moments.
It was a powerful gathering of leadership as our Board of Trustees came together to celebrate and honor the Class of 2025. I was proud to stand alongside fellow board members and faculty in recognizing the achievements of our incredible graduates and the bright futures ahead of them.
A special appearance by members of the U.S. Space Force added a unique and memorable moment to the ceremony, representing innovation, service, and new possibilities.
This year’s Commencement Ceremony was marked by the presence of several distinguished guests, including the Ambassador of Cyprus to the United States, H.E. Damla Güçlü; Dr. Ahu Yildirmaz, Chair of the Board at Bay Atlantic University; board members Joanne Dowdell and Michael G. Schneider; and members of BAU’s dedicated faculty and staff.
“Today marks a major milestone in your lives, one filled with pride, purpose, and the promise of new beginnings,” Dr. Yildirmaz told the graduating class. “Your education at Bay Atlantic has prepared you not just with knowledge, but with perspective. Dare to dream, and know that the American Dream lives on in you.”
We were pleased to welcome Eylem Senyuz, Senior Vice President and Senior Investment Strategy Analyst at Truist Advisory Services, Inc., as our keynote speaker. His talk focused on happiness and how it connects to purpose, mindset, and long-term well-being.
As we look to the future, I am proud to share Bay Atlantic University’s new motto: Dare to Dream. It is more than a slogan. It is a call to action. We dare to dream of a university that not only educates but also transforms. Of a student body that not only succeeds but also leads. Of graduates who not only achieve but give back.
To our graduates, I urge you to carry forward the values of ambition, kindness, fairness, and perseverance. This moment was not a farewell; it is a beginning. We will remember each of you, and I look forward to seeing the future you create.
Looking toward the months ahead, I’m excited for what’s to come. This summer, we’ll be working to revamp and enhance our university experience as we prepare to welcome both new and returning students to campus this fall.
Thank you for being part of the BAU journey. The best is yet to come.
Warm regards,
Dr. Sinem Vatanartiran
President, Bay Atlantic University
