HARRISBURG, PA — Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) is preparing to celebrate 1,183 graduate students in the Class of 2026. The Graduate Commencement Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 14, at 6:30 PM at The Forum Auditorium in Harrisburg, and will be livestreamed for family, friends, and supporters watching from afar.
For many graduate students, the degree represents more than an academic milestone; it marks a step toward career advancement, leadership, research, and personal goals. This year’s class reflects a diverse group of professionals and scholars making an impact in their fields.
Below, we spotlight several whose stories capture the drive and commitment of this year’s class. Congratulations to all of our graduate students on reaching this milestone!
Guillem Altimiras Pujadas
Degree: Master of Science in Human-Centered Interaction and Design (HCID)
What are your post-graduation plans? After graduation, I’m planning to keep doing what I’ve been building over the past couple of years: working across engineering and user experience (UX) while continuing to grow my startup, Iglu. I’ve been developing it alongside school, and the goal is to bring it to market this year.
I’m really interested in building products end to end — not just designing them but actually getting them into people’s hands. Long term, I want to stay in that space where I can combine technical work with user experience and keep building things that people actually use.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? HU really changed how I think about building things. Before the program, I was mostly focused on the technical side from my mechanical engineering background. The HCID program pushed me to slow down and think more about the user — how people make decisions and what actually matters to them.
A lot of that clicked during my Capstone. I spent time interviewing people, mapping out how they shop for products, and testing different ideas. It wasn’t just theory; I was applying it at the same time, which made it feel very real.
Overall, the program gave me a different lens. I still think like an engineer, but now I also think about experience, clarity, and decision-making, which has been huge for what I’m building now.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize? I want to thank the faculty in the HCID program for pushing me to think differently and challenge my assumptions, especially throughout the Capstone process. Their feedback helped me refine not just my work, but how I approach problems overall. I am also grateful to my classmates, whose diverse perspectives made every discussion more insightful.
Outside of school, I want to recognize my family and close friends for their constant support while I balanced work, graduate school, and building a startup. Their encouragement has played a huge role in keeping me focused and motivated.
Kelly Samuels
Degree: Master of Science in Project Management, Agile Lean concentration
What are your post-graduation plans? Land myself a job that would help me continue to grow and expand in the project management industry.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? My time at HU was mostly spent online; however, the professors were helpful, and I met amazing people who were also my colleagues studying alongside me.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize? I would like to thank my family and friends for encouraging and pushing me when I felt like giving up and needed it the most, especially given the fact that I juggled multiple things at the same time while in this program.
Gary Vogt
Degree: Master of Science in Information Systems Engineering and Management
What are your post-graduation plans? Following graduation, I plan to continue my leadership role within the I&S sector at BAE Systems, focusing on the digital transformation of naval logistics. My goal is to bridge the gap between advanced AI research and operational implementation, specifically by integrating GPU-powered logistics and AI-driven sustainment systems to enhance the readiness and longevity of the US Navy’s critical defense assets.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? HU provided the academic framework to synthesize my years of industry experience into a strategic methodology. Specifically, the process of conducting my research on the Ohio-class submarines allowed me to move beyond the “how” of IT management and into the “why” of AI-powered logistics. The ability to apply mixed-methods research to a real-world national security problem was a pivotal experience that has equipped me to lead more complex, data-driven initiatives in the defense industry.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize? A huge thank you to my mentors in the defense world and the wonderful community at HU for pushing me to keep growing. To my wife, my boys, and my in-laws — thank you for being my rock and for your endless support. I truly could not have reached this milestone without you by my side.
Michelle Irina Made Enoh
Degree: Master of Science in Analytics, Consumer Behavior and Decision Science concentration
What are your post-graduation plans? After completing my master’s in August 2025, I am officially beginning my Ph.D. in Data Science at Harrisburg University. My goal is to apply the technical and behavioral expertise I’ve gained to solve national-scale problems in digital trust and consumer protection — specifically, developing models that identify trust-washing in product reviews to protect the integrity of the American marketplace.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? Harrisburg University has been the catalyst for my transition from a marketing background to data science. My program provided the technical foundation I needed, challenging me to master coding in R and Python while learning to critically read research papers and identify complex problems.
A bridge semester during my MBA at Monroe University perfectly complemented my HU education: professional training in SQL, Tableau, and Power BI through Data Analysis for Managers, alongside International Management coursework on the core tenets of leadership. That blend prepared me to return to HU this January to begin my doctorate.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize? My journey has been shaped by extraordinary mentors who challenged me to dream bigger. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Jose Mendoza at NYU for first introducing me to the world of AI, data mining, and consumer analytics during my time at Sacred Heart University, and to Dr. Anca Micu at Fairfield University for her guidance on my capstone and for inspiring me with the determination to succeed as a woman in this field.
I would like to thank Mr. Joel Collymore, Director of Product Management at TransUnion, for his encouragement and for helping me see that a Ph.D. was truly within my reach. My deepest thanks go to Dr. Ziyuan Huang for supervising the publication of my thesis, “How Trust Signals in Product Reviews Predict Recommendation Behavior” (DOI: 10.20944/preprints202508.0374.v1), and for encouraging my transition into the Ph.D. in Data Science.
I am also thankful to Dr. Kayden Jordan for his belief in my potential and his continuous guidance within the HU Data Science program. Finally, I want to thank Dr. Charles Okwundu for his support, and my family — my dad Roger, my mom Saha Berthe, and my sisters — along with my dear friends Yvonne Elung, Angela, Laura, and Melvis for their unwavering encouragement as I embark on this new adventure.
Sai Sharan Gutala
Degree: Master of Science in Computer Information Sciences
What are your post-graduation plans? After graduation, I plan to begin my career in the tech industry as an Angular Developer, applying the skills I’ve built through my coursework and projects. I’m also focused on continuing to learn in automation, cloud technologies, and modern frontend frameworks to grow into a more advanced technical role over time.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? HU pushed me beyond classroom learning and helped me become a more capable, confident engineer. Courses in software engineering, databases, and application development gave me the technical depth I rely on today, while project-based learning taught me how to think like a problem solver. My capstone was a turning point — it taught me how to translate real user needs into a working product, manage requirements, and deliver under deadlines. HU also strengthened my communication and teamwork skills through presentations, group work, and Agile-style collaboration. These experiences directly shaped my ability to work as a QA Engineer and Angular Developer today.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize? I would like to thank Professor Abrar Qureshi and Professor Khalid Lateef for believing in me and pushing me to grow. Their guidance, patience, and encouragement made a real difference in my academic journey and helped me become more confident in my abilities.
Sheetal Dhanuka
Degree: Master of Science in Project Management
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? My experience with HU was very insightful and great. I met lots of people from different walks of life, and I met a lot of professors who shared their life stories — their professional stories as well as their personal stories — and I learned a lot from them. This gave me a platform to work and do my training along with my studies. The classes went hand in hand with my work, and I learned a lot of tools to apply at work.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize? I would like to thank Professor Scott Rainey and Professor Thomas Wise for their guidance throughout my time at HU. I would also like to thank my family for supporting me on my journey.
Idongesit Usoroh
Degree: Master of Science in Project Management
What are your post-graduation plans? My short-term goal is to get into a Family Medicine residency, and long-term, I strive to be a hospital administrator, where I can use both my medical education and my project management skills.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize? I would like to thank all the faculty in Project Management, and my current boss, Dr. Holly Dahlman, for her faith in me. A special thank you to my wife, Shonette Small, for her constant love, patience, and encouragement. Your support through every challenge and milestone has meant more than words can express, and I would not be here without you by my side.
Abdur Rehman
Degree: Master of Science in Project Management, Agile Lean concentration
What are your post-graduation plans? Help optimize organizational efficiency, solve problems, and attain excellence in project, program, and portfolio management, while empowering others through my servant leadership skills.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? Back in 2024, while working as a Project Manager, I decided to upskill in project management and attain excellence in my field. I embarked on the journey of pursuing the PMI-accredited master’s degree at HU.
I envisioned my 2026-self graduating with a 4.0 GPA, and seeing it become reality today is humbling. I can feel a night-and-day difference in my journey from where I started to where I am now.
At HU, I deepened my knowledge of project management, Agile, and Lean through best-in-class coursework. I was also fortunate to be one of 29 individuals from across the globe to earn the PMI GAC Scholar Award in 2025. That same drive led me to earn industrial certifications including PMP, CSM, PSM, Lean Six Sigma, and SAFe 6.0 POPM.
Although my time at HU is coming to an end, I’m confident my journey of continuous learning will continue beyond graduation.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize? I would like to thank all my professors for their invaluable support. They provided me with all the mentorship I needed to be a better version of myself.
On a personal level, I would like to thank my parents, my wife, family members, and friends, who supported me through every challenge in my journey. Without them, I would not be where I am today!
Rohini Challa
Degree: Master of Science in Computer Information Sciences, Cybersecurity concentration
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? My time at HU played a key role in shaping my career. I completed my master’s in computer science with a cybersecurity concentration, which strengthened my technical skills and industry knowledge. The cybersecurity classes with Dr. Bruce Young and Christine Pierce had a strong impact on me. Their guidance and teaching inspired my interest in the field. Overall, the university prepared me professionally and motivated me to keep growing in technology.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize? As an international student studying in Pennsylvania, I would first thank my family for sending me all the way here for my master’s. I also want to thank all of my professors, whose guidance and teaching helped me successfully complete my coursework. Thank you to my friends and classmates.
Rahul Gautam
Degree: Master of Science in Computer Information Sciences, Software Engineering concentration
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? My time at HU has been rewarding in many ways, from learning tools to build class projects and collaborating with classmates, where we shared ideas, learned, and helped each other complete coursework on time.
An impactful moment I would like to share is my internship with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, where I was assigned a task to come up with a solution, platform, and strategy to create an intranet to connect the 13 offices: a space where they could share news, files, event updates, applications, a user directory, and more.
I researched and came up with an efficient and economical solution with a prototype. After two to three months, I was able to present that solution in my final presentation. My work was recognized across the Commission and received outstanding feedback from Executive Director Jennifer Berrier and Chairman Stephen DeFrank.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize? I would like to thank my family and friends for their endless support, and faculty members Mr. Sangwan Cha, Mr. Peng Fu, Mr. Abdel Ejnioui, Mr. Ira Weissberger, Mr. Eugene Rohrbaugh, Mr. Steve O. Hernandez, and Mr. Tom Sarihan for always being available for any kind of help needed in coursework.
Karan Bhatt
Degree: Master of Science in Project Management
What are your post-graduation plans? Transitioning to the professional world requires a dual-track strategy focused on immediate career integration and long-term entrepreneurial growth. My primary objective is to secure a high-impact position within my field, establish a strong professional foundation, and gain critical industry experience.
Simultaneously, I am committed to launching a venture of my own. By building a business alongside my primary career, I intend to create a secondary stream of stability and a platform for independent innovation. This approach is designed to maximize my growth, ensuring I am not only contributing to an established organization but also actively architecting my own future as a leader and entrepreneur.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? My time at HU has been the catalyst for my transition from an academic environment to the professional landscape of project management. The university’s emphasis on applied learning gave me the technical framework and professional confidence to navigate complex industry challenges.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize? I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my family, especially my father, whose unwavering support and strategic guidance provided the foundation for my professional journey. I am equally indebted to the faculty at HU for their rigorous mentorship, and to my brother, whose recent milestones have been a personal inspiration.
Rupa Shravya Gajula
Degree: Master of Science in Computer Information Sciences, Software Testing concentration
What are your post-graduation plans? After graduation, I plan to begin my career in the software industry in a role that combines DevOps and artificial intelligence (AI). I am currently gaining practical experience as an IT intern at Karcher, where I started in June 2025, and I aim to transition into a full-time position in a software-focused role. My goal is to work in an environment where I can apply my skills to build scalable and efficient systems while continuing to grow professionally.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? My time at HU has been instrumental in building both my technical foundation and professional readiness. Through my Computer Science program with a concentration in Software Testing, I developed strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Courses such as Foundation of Next Generation AI, Data Structures and Algorithms, and Data Engineering and Mining strengthened my understanding of both core concepts and emerging technologies. These experiences, combined with hands-on learning, have helped prepare me for real-world challenges and supported my growth into my current role as an IT intern.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize? I would like to sincerely thank my professors and academic advisors for their continuous guidance, encouragement, and support throughout my academic journey. I am also deeply grateful to my family for their constant motivation and belief in me. Their support has been a major factor in helping me achieve my goals and reach where I am today.
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ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) is an independent, nonprofit university offering degrees in advanced manufacturing, engineering, robotics, nursing, cybersecurity, and other critical fields. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, HU serves a diverse student body through bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs that link learning and research with practical applications. For information about HU’s affordable STEM degrees and professional development programs, call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay in the know by following Harrisburg University on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
MEDIA CONTACT
Do you have questions about this story? Interested in lining up an interview? Please contact Dan Wilhelm, Communications Manager for Harrisburg University of Science & Technology, at DWilhelm@HarrisburgU.edu or 717.901.5100×1724.
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