Bergen Community College

Bergen Community College alumnus and former student-athlete Tugay Bozogluer studied finance for a career as a financial analyst.

Bozogluer, an international student from Kayseri, Turkey, played soccer on Bergen’s men’s soccer team.

“I come from a country where soccer is like a religion, so I can confidently say that I love everything about the sport,” said Bozogluer who is passionate about soccer and the competition within the sport.

“If I had to choose one thing, it would be competitiveness—the way you win as a family,” he said. “It’s impossible to win a game without every member working together and I love the feeling of this united competition.”

As a former student-athlete, Bozogluer knew the importance of commitment and dedication to the sport. “Like anything in life, success in your sport requires clear goals, without them, moving to the next level is just wishful thinking,” he said. “Set your goals, stay committed, and remember that every day is a new opportunity to improve and shine.”

When asked what has made him successful at Bergen, Bozogluer credited his strict goals and sticking to weekly tasks to successfully accomplish it. He is also thankful for Bergen staff members in the Athletics Department and the International Student Center for helping him as a student-athlete and international student. He credits Coordinator of International Services Mine Ugurlu, Coordinator of Athletics Deana Fletcher, and International Student Counselor Amparo Codding.

As an international student, he was actively involved with student activities on campus. He was a member of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), vice president of the International Student Association (ISA), and a board member on Bergen’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). He was an active member in SAAC where he participated in the committee’s weekly meetings, toy drives, and bakery sales.

Reflecting on his experiences as an international student, Bozogluer offered his perspective and advice to other international students.

“No matter how hard it gets, it’s much easier to focus on enjoying the experiences around you rather than dwelling on what you miss from home,” said Bozogluer. “Embrace the new opportunities, immerse yourself in the culture, and make the most of every moment and you will grow in ways you never imagined.”

When asked why he chose Bergen, Bozogluer cited that he had relatives and friends who attended and graduated Bergen. His relatives and friends referred him to the College citing that Bergen was “the best community college in New Jersey.” He said, “It is a better choice to save up some money before going to a university.”

He graduated in 2025.

Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls more than 13,000 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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