What is your hometown? Where else have you lived? Do you speak any languages other than English?
I have spent my childhood, youth, and adulthood in three different countries: Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Canada, respectively. Hence, they all have a special place in my heart. English and Turkish are the two languages I know very well, and I have basic knowledge of German.

How did you become interested in teaching?
I started as a Ph.D. student to support my studies. I realized that while some of my grad school colleagues saw teaching as a burden, I enjoyed it immensely.

My priority is to ensure that my students learn to think out of the box, value cooperation over competition, and are able to empathize when making decisions.

My primary responsibilities at NYIT involve graduate courses in organizational behavior and management. My priority is to ensure that my students learn to think out of the box, value cooperation over competition, and are able to empathize when making decisions.

What’s your favorite class to teach?
Organizational Psychology. I am really passionate about learning why we behave the way we do. Every individual is so unique in the decision-making process, and every new discovery amazes me and re-invigorates my passion for my field. Plus, the more I look at others, the better I start to understand myself.

What is one thing you would like your M.B.A. students to understand about business management?
They should be prepared to show that they are capable of doing managerial tasks that computers cannot, including innovative thinking, empathizing, and serendipitous discovery.

To get started, new M.B.A. students should:

• Start thinking like a manager.
• Look at coursework as an open-air laboratory to explore new ideas.
• Participate in as many social and professional activities as possible.

What are three words that describe you?
Loyal, easygoing, humble (Can I say I am humble and still be humble?)

What do you do for fun?
I like to spend time with my wife and baby daughter. We take long walks, attend story times and play dates, and go to swimming classes. The fun my daughter has staring at inconspicuous items reminds me that I should be thankful for everything in, and every moment of, my life.