Bergen Community College

Bergen Community College student Ata Ulucay became involved in the College’s music program and club while he studied psychology. He now aspires to become a professional drummer or music teacher.

Ulucay, of Ridgewood, moved to the United States during his junior year of high school and in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. “My grades went downhill from there,” said Ulucay. “I came to Bergen because the College offered me a fresh start, and I discovered more about myself in the 3 years I’ve been here compared to my whole life before attending. For the first time ever in my life, I was able to transform myself into an achiever.”

Ulucay first became involved on campus when he helped create Bergen’s Turkish Student Association, where he also served as secretary from Fall 2022 to Spring 2023. During that time, the association arranged an emergency fundraising campaign for victims of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck between Turkey and Syria. He said the club raised approximately $9,000 and collected around 100 boxes of supplies, all of which were donated to credible charity organizations that were helping those struck by tragedy.

During this time, Ulucay was also becoming involved with music on campus with a couple of student bands. He formed a heavy metal cover band called Fish Punishment: Best Band, which performed at Earth Fest 2024. He also played as a guest performer in the bands Billy Fitz and the Liabilities and Meatbonez. Ulucay officially became a drummer in The Crescent Kings, an alternative rock band that currently has a demo EP full of original songs.

Ulucay also played in Bergen’s Pop/Rock Ensemble and the Jazz Ensemble, which he said was paramount in his development as a drummer.

The Bergen Music Club was a student organization that Ulucay led as president from Fall 2024 to Spring 2025. “I helped organize multiple showcases that frequently brought student-driven live music on campus,” said Ulucay. He also accepted a leadership certificate at the 2025 Student Leadership Awards.

“I was valued,” said Ulucay. “When I tried to make things happen, I searched for individuals within the faculty that could help me, and nobody ever said ‘no’ to me as long as I was willing to put in the work. The faculty here cares about our students and they want us to succeed.”

Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls more than 24,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields. More students graduate from Bergen than any other community college in the state.

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