Turkish National Thanks St. John’s for Help Adapting to New Life in the US

He quickly gained fluency in his new language and entered the workforce at 14 with a series of part-time jobs he reported to after school. “I have never not had a job. I worked at Radio Shack for a long time, which taught me the basics of human interaction with customers and learning about customer service—and I ultimately remain in client service to this day,” he said. 

Mr. Sengulen is now a certified public accountant and the Managing Partner at the Long Island offices of UHY, LLP. Among the top 25 accounting firms in the country, UHY provides comprehensive audit, tax, advisory, and related services to clients in a wide range of industries. He is also Managing Director for UHY Advisors. 

“St. John’s provided me with the exact solution for what I needed in my life when I was a college freshman and onward,” said the father of four, who lives in Muttontown, NY, with his children and wife, Vanessa. “It allowed me to have a life on the campus in Queens, NY, even though I was a commuter student. I would spend the entire day at St. John’s, going to classes, being involved in Campus Ministry, meeting with friends, and then returning home at night.” 

With the help of his parents and scholarships from St. John’s, Mr. Sengulen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration degree from The Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s.  

“I came from very modest means,” he said. “My father was a limousine driver, and my mother didn’t work outside the home. We barely had any money. So, the scholarship money from St. John’s was key to my continued education.” 

His interest in accounting was sparked by a class he took while attending Holy Trinity High School. “I quickly realized this was something I would enjoy as a career.” He received four job offers from the Big Four firms in the field before graduating from St. John’s. 

Mr. Sengulen credits his adoptive country for helping him achieve professional and personal success. “I have a 1,100-pound bald eagle statue installed in the front yard of my house with a flag pole that looks like it belongs to a school because I believe in the greatness of this country. It has allowed me to get to where I am today.” 

Of his alma mater’s role in contributing to his accomplishments, Mr. Sengulen said, “I truly do believe that my education and experiences at St. John’s gave me the foundation and confidence to be able to stand before anyone without ever feeling that I was at a disadvantage. St. John’s fostered and nurtured my ability to always feel comfortable in my own skin.”