Graduate Spotlights

• Beibei Lubin
  

  Program: Marriage and Family Therapy - M.S.

  Future Plans: After graduation, I am excited to work at a group therapy practice in Manhattan that provides relational and experiential therapy services to individuals, couples, and groups.
  

  What made you choose the Kakos School of Arts and Sciences, and Manhattan University? The Marriage and Family Therapy program has an incredible team of faculty with, a diverse population of students, and wonderful study abroad opportunities.

  Is there one person, place or thing that inspired you during your time at Manhattan University? Dr. Michelle Bell inspired me to attend Manhattan University, and she has been a source of influence, wisdom, and brilliance through embodying a Marriage and Family Therapist.

  Your advice to an incoming Jasper:  Lean into the connections you make, whether with amazing faculty, staff, students, and beyond. These are the people who will motivate and uplift you in more ways than you know.

• Leyla Öztürk
  

  Program: Master of Business Administration (MBA)

  Future Plans: I have not made any final decisions yet but I plan to remain in New York City for a year to gain professional experience before returning to Germany to continue my basketball and professional career.
  

  What made you choose the O'Malley School of Business, and Manhattan University? I was drawn to the valuable opportunities this degree would provide for my future career path.

  Is there one person, place or thing that inspired you during your time at Manhattan University? The people at Manhattan University truly made my experience special. From professors who genuinely invested in building relationships with students, to my basketball teammates who became lifelong friends, to the campus staff who always greeted everyone with a smile – the community as a whole was my inspiration.

  Your advice to an incoming Jasper: Take advantage of all opportunities to connect with others and find a healthy balance between your academic responsibilities and personal interests. 

• Emily Specht
  

  Program: Civil Engineering - M.S.

  Future Plans: After graduation, I will be starting a full-time position with the Keller Group as a Staff Engineer.

  What made you choose the School of Engineering, and Manhattan University? In high school, I attended Manhattan Universitys open house and learned about the Women and Minority Engineering Summer Program. Since I enjoyed math and science studies, I decided to participate in the program to learn about various engineering fields. Throughout the experience, I found myself drawn to civil engineering as I had always been fascinated by structures and building design. I appreciated Manhattan University's accessibility to Manhattan and other New York City boroughs, while still maintaining a traditional college campus atmosphere. The School of Engineering at Manhattan University stood out to me because of its numerous scholarship opportunities, strong industry connections, and promising post-graduate prospects.

  Is there one person, place or thing that inspired you during your time at Manhattan University? During my time at Manhattan University, I formed meaningful connections with both my professors and peers. My professors played a crucial role in guiding me over the past five years and helping me prepare for my future. In my senior year, Dr. Mehdi Omidvar approached me with the opportunity to work as a Graduate Research Assistant on his research in the field of Geotechnical Engineering. This incredible experience not only deepened my knowledge but also allowed me to continue my education and earn my Master’s in Civil Engineering. Over the past year, I have gained valuable hands-on experience working in the lab alongside Dr. Omidvar and his colleagues. I am incredibly grateful for the mentorship and connections I have gained through this opportunity. Now, I am continuing my career in the geotechnical field as a Staff Engineer on the Geo-Structural Design team at the Keller Group.

  Your advice to an incoming Jasper: My advice to incoming Jaspers is to embrace every opportunity that comes your way. College is the perfect time to discover who you truly are and step outside of your comfort zone. As a freshman, the path ahead may seem uncertain, but through the experiences you gain from your professors, peers, and friends, your future will gradually come into focus. Take advantage of every chance to learn and grow—you never know where it might lead you!

Meet the Valedictorian