The CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies (CUNY BA) commencement ceremony was a radiant celebration of academic innovation, brilliance, and sheer determination.
As graduates cross the stage, the room fills with an overwhelming sense of pride and joy, honoring a remarkable group of students who didn’t just follow a path; they blazed their own. By custom-designing their own unique bachelor’s degrees, these graduates have transformed their distinct passions, diverse perspectives, and intellectual curiosity into reality.
The atmosphere was electric with the cheers of families, friends, and faculty who had witnessed the immense dedication it takes to chart an entirely individualized academic journey. These exceptional scholars leave the ceremony not just with a degree, but as visionary trailblazers fully equipped to leave a profound, personalized mark on the world.
About CUNY BA’s Student Speaker
Victoria Farrell is a graduating senior pursuing a CUNY BA degree in Human-Centered Design & Media. Born and raised in Long Island, she is a first-generation Filipino American and the first person in her family to graduate from college. Victoria served as the Chairman of the Policy Board of Administration at her home college, Queens College. Before returning to school, Victoria worked in finance as a UX Designer, where she served on her company’s DEI Committee and Employee Resource Group. Victoria is an advocate for community health, volunteering with Punk Rock Saves Lives, where she registers people for the National Bone Marrow Registry and distributes harm-reduction supplies at local concerts. Currently, she works as a legal assistant at an Elder Care law firm, where she advocates for the rights of the elderly and people with disabilities. In addition, Victoria is a visual artist who recently launched her own design studio, Lazy Dawg Draws. She has used her artistic talents to design for organizations such as The New York State Bar Association and the North American Elder Law Committee. In her free time, she enjoys seeing live music, painting with friends, getting tattooed, and spending time with her two dogs, Charlie and Louie. After graduation, Victoria plans on pursuing her JD with the intention of becoming a public defender.
About CUNY BA’s Alumni Speaker
Vasu Panicker is a turnaround and systems strategist who works on financially and operationally complex situations inside large, multi-layered institutions. These environments involve critical public services and multi-billion-dollar budgets, often serving millions of people. He traces how money and decisions move, identifies where they break down, and helps leaders act with clarity.
A native of New York City and proud product of its public school system, Vasu began his career as a musician, composer, and educator. He led a nationally recognized contemporary youth ensemble in NYC, where he expanded artistic programming and recruitment efforts to reflect the city’s cultural and creative tapestry. His work focused on expanding young musicians’ engagement with and understanding of contemporary and experimental repertoire, particularly the work of living composers.
He helps large, public-serving organizations operate more coherently and deliver lasting outcomes.
Vasu serves on the Board of Directors of the Kronos Performing Arts Association and Kronos Quartet, where he chairs the Governance Committee and supports efforts to expand access to contemporary music and education for audiences around the world. He also maintains an active practice in music composition and production.
Vasu earned a B.S. in Contemporary Music Studies from the CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies in 2010, designing his degree around music and social systems. He earned an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley – Haas School of Business, where he pursued management consulting and conducted independent research examining how revenue is generated, structured, and sustained across creative and cultural industries.
He is also a certified yoga teacher and meditation instructor.
About CUNY BA’s Faculty Speaker
Eli Neugeboren is an award-winning artist, writer, and associate professor who lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. His most recent work, the graphic novel Whatever Happened to Frankie King, was named one of Publishers Weekly’s Top Picks of 2024. His work was also included in COVID Chronicles: A Comics Anthology (Graphic Mundi/Penn State Press) and Weapon ECCH! (100% Comics). He regularly collaborates with the streetwear brand Always Trophy Hunting and YouTube celebrity chef Michael Greenfield of Pro Home Cooks. His #drawingthenews body of work, with over 1800 drawings in it, has had its illustrations win multiple awards and has been included in numerous gallery shows around the United States.