Division of Programs in Business Students Honored in SPS 2020 Virtual Convocation

On May 18th, the NYU School of Professional Studies (SPS) hosted a virtual graduate celebration to honor the Class of 2020. The livestreamed festivities began with a welcome from SPS Dean Susan Greenbaum, who offered a heartfelt congratulations to the graduating class for their hard work, achievements, and resilience during these unprecedented times. Dean Greenbaum also acknowledged the continued dedication of SPS faculty, alumni, and staff, before introducing NYU President Andrew Hamilton. 

President Hamilton commended the SPS Class of 2020 as leaders who hold as their standard the highest level of professionalism and expertise. After extending his warmest congratulations and best wishes, the celebration proceeded with a keynote speech from Margaret Anadu, head of the Urban Investment Group (UIG), Merchant Banking Division at Goldman Sachs. Anadu encouraged graduates to focus on their skills and passions and boldly step into their roles as innovators of their industries. 

The NYU SPS Division of Programs in Business (DPB) extended virtual cheers for the Graduate Student Speaker, Sena Pottackal, MS in Public Relations and Corporate Communication (PRCC). Throughout her postgraduate journey, Pottackal has received numerous awards and scholarships for both her academic excellence and activism. Pottackal was diagnosed as a teenager with retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic eye disease that causes deteriorating eyesight, and has since advocated for disability inclusion and accessibility at the University and in the workplace. In her speech, she celebrated the strength of the SPS community to persevere through challenges and excel despite adversity. Pottackal aspires to use her public relations skills to further advance disability rights as chief communications officer of a large corporation."

Following the graduate speakers, SPS faculty shared congratulating words for the Class of 2020, and students reflected on their most memorable classes and experiences. SPS Associate Deans and Directors also acknowledged the accomplishments of graduating students. 

Several DPB students were recognized during the virtual celebration for special honors and awards. Congratulations to our SPS Dean’s Scholars:

Palak Agarwal, MS in Integrated Marketing (IM)
Maria Bilbao-Ludena, MS in IM
Sanyu Lubogo, MS in IM
Czarina Pascual, MS in IM
Isha Sangekar, MS in Management and Systems (MASY)
Aastha Shah, MS in IM
Wen Shi, MS in MASY
Srishti Tyagi, MS in PRCC
Chelsea Willis, MS in Human Resource Management and Development (HRMD)
Xiaofeng Zeng, MS in MASY

DPB also applauds our schoolwide and program-specific award winners:

Commencement & Convocation Awards
Palak Agarwal, MS in IM, Student Impact Award
Sena Pottackal, MS in PRCC, Commencement Program Profile and Graduate Student Speaker
Sushanth Ruia, MS in IM, Commencement Video Profile
Isha Sangekar, MS in MASY, SPS Graduate Class Representative
Shalmali Shahane, MS in IM, Student Leadership Award

Academic Excellence Awards
Casey Owens, MS in HRMD
Paloma Bloch, MS in IM
Tanusha Virodula, MS in MASY
Ankita Navnit, MS in Project Management (PM)
Srishti Tyagi, MS in PRCC

Leadership and Service Excellence Awards
Austin Jarred, MS in HRMD
David Viteri, MS in IM
Wen Shi, MS in MASY
Suleyman Keles, MS in PM
Sena Pottackal, MS in PRCC

Flag Bearers
Austin Jarred, MS in HRMD
Shalmali Shahane, MS in IM
Geshun Tang, MS in MASY
Sol Pyo, MS in PM
Qi Wang, MS in PRCC

Congratulations again to all of our graduates!

DPB is the largest division at NYU School of Professional Studies, with over 2,200 students, 500 faculty, and 6,700 alumni. The Division comprises four centers of excellence that educate leaders in the functional areas of an enterprise. Each department’s credit and non-credit offerings serve students at every level of their careers, providing them with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in critical positions in their professional development.