Bergen Community College

Bergen Community College alumna Juliana Koumi (née Ospina), ‘17, switched her career outlook from fashion to business management. 

Koumi, of Rutherford, earned an associate degree in professional studies, then graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in fashion business management in 2021. At the time, her father opened Carlos’ Bagel Shop in Hawthorne, and she decided to shift her career to support him.

“In July 2021, I started a new chapter by partnering with my father to open and operate our family-owned bagel store, where I manage daily operations and focus on building strong customer relationships,” said Koumi. “I wanted to help him bring his dream to life.”

In October 2025, Koumi came back to Bergen to support the annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. Koumi and her family attended  “Empanadas Con Los Empleados – Empanadas with Bergen Staff” where she announced the food donation from Carlos’ Bagel Shop for attendees at the event. The event celebrated Hispanic Heritage and promoted networking among Bergen students, faculty and staff. 

“I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate my Colombian heritage and share how my roots have shaped me both as a leader and as a creator,” said Koumi. “My culture has greatly influenced how I approach business, community, and food – especially when developing new ideas and dishes that reflect who we are.”

Koumi said that Bergen had given her a sense of community and flexibility while attaining her education. “What I enjoyed most about Bergen Community College was the strong sense of community and the diversity on campus,” she said. “I appreciated the flexibility of class schedules, which allowed me to balance work and school, as well as the wide variety of courses available.”

Koumi advises students with this message: “Put your heart into everything you do, and success will follow.”

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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