The Summer 2025 issue of Connect is now being emailed to University alumni and can be downloaded here. In this issue, we highlight several of last semester’s signature events, including the successful 2025 Career Fair and the Alumni Summer Gathering.

In her message to alumni, University Provost Dr. Themis Kaniklidou emphasizes the lifelong value of a Hellenic American University education, highlights recent institutional milestones, and encourages graduates to remain engaged with the University community through mentorship, events, and sharing their professional journeys.

This issue’s Alumni Success Story features Pavlos Tsitsanis (MBA ’25), who has built a global career in mineral exploration, combining his geology expertise with the strategic and managerial skills gained at Hellenic American University. Today, he leads international projects, mentors teams, and drives innovation in the mining industry. Our Faculty Spotlight features Dr. Sofia Kontossi, an adjunct faculty member in the Bachelor of Music program.

Finally, as always, we share recent news of our faculty and fellow alumni’s accomplishments—from new publications and conference talks to career advancements.

Image: CONNECT ALUMNI Summer 2025

On May 7th, the Nashua campus celebrated 13 international students from India, Ghana and Bangladesh who completed the MBA in MIS program over the last 12 months.

The following students were recognized at luncheon held for family and friends:

• Gifty Sarpong
• Nehalben Govindbhai Patel
• Shubham Ramesh Salvi
• Naveen Kumar Mandadi
• Vaibhav Solanki
• Nasrina Afroza
• Abdul Sami Ahmed Razvi Sayed
• Tharun Kolusu
• Maninderjeet Kaur
• Mohammed Irfanuddin
• Shiva Potlapelli
• Prudhvi Sai Chaparalla
• KM Yousuf Galib

Ms. Maninderjeet Kaur received special recognition as a student who exhibited behavior exemplifying Hellenic American University’s core values of maturity, responsibility, and integrity.

We wish all these students the best of luck as they move on in their desired professions!

Image at the top: From left to right; Abdul Sami Ahmed Razvi Sayed, Mohammed Irfanuddin, Shubham Ramesh Salvi, Nasrina Afroza, Gifty Sarpong, Maninderjeet Kaur, Vaibhav Solanki, Tharun Kolusu, Naveen Kumar Mandadi, KM Yousuf Galib.

Image at the right side: Maninderjeet Kaur, Dean and Executive Director M. Martin.

The annual Career Fair was held to great success at the University’s Athens campus on May 19th. During the day-long event company representatives at the Fair held more than 200 onsite interviews with Hellenic American University students and alumni/ae.

Participating companies covered a spectrum of industry sectors relevant to the attendees’ degree programs, such as informatics, business, marketing and sales, translation, English-language-teaching, and clinical psychology. Companies included CQS, Hellenic American Union, IASIS NGO, Interpretit, Lalizas S.A., Lexis Πληροφορική Α.Ε., ManpowerGroup Greece, Optimal HR, ORCO S.A., Plaisio Computers, Polyglosso Language Schools, Randstad Hellas, Roots Wellness Center, and Translate.One.

Opening the event, Provost Dr. Themis Kaniklidou welcomed the company representatives and reaffirmed the University’s keen interest in working closely with corporate partners to promote employability and also support the industry in their search for talent.

The 2025 Career Fair was organized by the Director of the Career Development Office, Ms. Domniki Diamantopoulou, who noted its usefulness in helping attendees find internships and job opportunities and learn about trends in the job market.

For some participants, the Career Fair marked their first experience with a professional interview, while others had the chance to network, and explore a career change. The companies’ representatives provided valuable feedback to the interviewees about their professional prospects and, in several cases, alternative fields they can turn to, based on their academic background and market trends.

Final numbers for job placements are not yet available, as the interview process continues with follow-up interviews, employer tests, and model lessons (for teachers).

Image: From Campus to Career: Career Fair 2025

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In a world increasingly shaped by algorithms and large language models, where do human linguists fit in?

Join us on Wednesday, June 4 at 11:00 (Eastern European Time) for an online session with Dr. Dimitris Tolias, Dean for Digital Learning and Education Innovation and Director of the MA in Applied Linguistics / TESOL program at Hellenic American University.

Dr. Tolias will explore the evolving role of linguists in the age of AI, discussing how deep language knowledge, cultural sensitivity, and human insight continue to be essential — even as machine learning advances. The talk will also include a brief presentation of our MA in Applied Linguistics / TESOL program, highlighting how it equips students with the skills needed to stay relevant and effective in a changing professional landscape.

Why attend?

• Gain insight into the impact of AI on linguistics, education, and communication
• Understand how graduate studies in Applied Linguistics remain highly relevant
• Meet the program director and ask your questions live
• Join easily from anywhere — the event is held online and free of charge

Register now to receive the event link.

Admission is free of charge.

For more information, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Image: Linguists in AI Era

On Thursday, April 10, the presentation of the book Greece–Albania: Truths and Shadows will take place at the Hellenic American Union Theater (Athens, Greece). The book is authored by veteran diplomat and Balkan expert Alexandros Mallias, former Ambassador of Greece to Washington, Tirana, and Skopje, and is published by I. Sideris Publications.

The event is organized by Hellenic American University, the Democratic Union of the Greek Minority "OMONOIA", the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), the Himarriot Union "HIMARRA", the Hellenic Institute for Strategic Studies (ELISME), and I. Sideris Publications.

In his new book, Alexandros Mallias analyzes the problematic developments in the relations between Greece and neighboring Albania.

Speakers include:

• Stavros Papastavrou, Minister of Environment and Energy of the Hellenic Republic
• Angelos Syrigos, Associate Professor of International Law and Foreign Policy, Member of Parliament (Nea Dimokratia), Athens A
• Fredi Beleri, Member of the European Parliament
• Alexandros Mallias, the author

The event will be moderated by journalist Lambros Kallarytis.

Event Details:

Date & Time: Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 18:00

Venue: Hellenic American Union Theater, 22 Massalias St., Athens, Greece

Admission: Free entrance

Information: 2103680052

Image: Book cover Greece–Albania: Truths and Shadows

The Winter 24-25 issue of Connect is now being emailed to University alumni and is available for download here.

This issue features news of recent events at our Athens campus, with a focus on the PMBA-MBA alumni reunion, which celebrated the 20-year anniversary of our university. The newsletter also includes news of the 2025-2026 Hellenic American University Alumni Board and the Hellenic American University Debate Team's triumph in Florida.

President Koskos provides updates on the university’s application to establish a branch in Athens under the new Greek legislation. Reflecting on the PMBA-MBA alumni reunion event and the professional success of the program’s alumni, he proposes involving alumni in the university's governance by nominating an alumnus as a Trustee for a two-year term.

For the Faculty Spotlight, we turn to Petros Romaios, Director of the Master Program in Conference Interpreting (MACI) and the Master Program in Translation (MAT).

Finally, as is our tradition, we share news and accomplishments of our faculty and fellow alumni, from newly published works and talks at conferences to career advancements.

Image: CONNECT ALUMNI Winter 24-25

A delegation of undergraduates led by the University’s Director of Civic Engagement Cameron Bell enjoyed an immersive 5-day study program alongside the Art D’Egypte exhibition openings at the Giza Plateau and Library of Alexandria (Bibliotheca Alexandrina). Art D'Egypte is a cultural platform, founded by French-Egyptian Nadine Abdelghaffar, that curates annual exhibitions showcasing art in heritage sites, linking Egypt's rich past to its creative present, under the patronage of UNESCO since 2019. Hellenic American University was delighted to be an Art D'Egypte Educational Partner this Fall semester.

During the field study, students were tasked with exploring Hellenism in Egypt in all its forms, classical and contemporary: What was? What remains? What does the future have in store? Visits to relevant Greek sites of social, religious, and artistic importance offered a critical reflection on history, politics, and identity, and an opportunity for the students to engage with their Egyptian peers. The students also had the unique opportunity to meet the exhibiting artists and ask them directly about their work in the company of distinguished art collectors, business leaders, and philanthropists. This initiative underscores the institutional mission of HAU to develop global citizens.

Back in Athens, participants commented on how enriching the opportunity was. David-Oliver Barouh, a 3rd-year student in the B.S. in Business Administration program stated, “From the culture, to the people, to the language, to the history, the food, this country truly opened up my eyes.” Study Abroad student Hannah Crawford elaborated, “We talked about Orientalism and how western society has placed daunting stereotypes on how the Middle East is depicted, but to see how much these stereotypes are false in real life is an experience I never thought I would have.”

Cameron Bell added, “I hope the students walked away with a new understanding of Greece as part of a broader region of shared history and great potential for collaboration. Field studies are a wonderful way to allow teachings to manifest organically through firsthand experiences.”

Image: Students and Cameron Bell at the Pyramids with Greek artist Nassia Inglessis

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On Monday, January 20, 2025, at 6:30 PM, an open-to-the-public event on the topic of "School Bullying" will be organized by Hellenic American University, AHEPA Glyfada Chapter HJ02, and "The Smile of the Child" as part of their social contribution efforts.

Bullying and violence, with children as victims and sometimes as perpetrators, have become so frequent that they are now considered a structural issue in Greek society. It is essential to first identify the different forms of bullying and violence and then explore systematic approaches to addressing the root causes and manifestations of this phenomenon.

The event will feature the following speakers:

• Errika Prezerakou, Deputy Regional Governor of Education
• Kostas Giannopoulos, President of the Board of Directors of "The Smile of the Child" and President of the Board of the European Antibullying Network
• Athanasios Antonopoulos, Clinical Psychologist (MSc), Author, Researcher, and Adjunct Faculty at Hellenic American University
• Ioanna Hardaloupa, Psychologist (MSc), Coordinator of the Center for Violence and Bullying at "The Smile of the Child"

The discussion will be moderated by journalist and author Makis Provatas. A Q&A session with the audience will follow the presentations.

Event Details:

Date: Monday, January 20, 2025, 6:30 PM
Location: Hellenic American Union Theater, 22 Massalias St., 10680 Athens
Admission: Free, on a first-come, first-served basis
For more information: +30 210 3680052

Image: Event on School Bullying

The Hellenic American University Debate Team returns to Athens with a victory over their Rollins College counterparts in the Great Debate competition that took place November 13th at Bush Center in Rollins College, Orlando Winter Park, Florida.

The University’s team was represented in Rollins by Maro Samara (BAELL ’28), Angelos Varotsis (BSPSY ’28), Adriana Gounalaki (BSPSY ’24) and Androniki Fili (BAELL ’25) and the team’s co-coach University provost Dr. Themis Kaniklidou.

Maro and Angelos took on the opposition case for the topic “This House Believes that Presidents and Prime Ministers should be immune from criminal prosecution after they leave office”, drawing on the support and guidance of their two other teammates, who debated last year in the same competition.

The team travelled to Florida on the invitation of Rollins College and its debate coach Dr. Eric Smaw, Professor of Philosophy and Special Assistant to the Provost at Rollins College, who has been a supporter of the University’s team since its founding in 2023. Smaw’s team is a high-ranking debating powerhouse, with over 15 years of debating experience and top place finishes in national and regional championships.

Lead judge Bacardi Jackson, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, presented the decision of the 7-member panel of judges following a closed-doors deliberation. She praised the Hellenic American University team for their excellent argumentation, accurate rebuttal and inspiring delivery.

The HAU debate team is co-coached by provost Dr. Themis Kaniklidou and adjunct faculty member Stephen Bacigal, and currently consists of the following members:

• Maro Samara (BAELL ’28)
• Angelos Varotsis (BSPSY’28)
• Adriana Gounalaki (BSPSY ’24)
• Androniki Fili (BAELL ’25)
• Patseli Ioanna (BAELL ’25)
• Alexandros Anastasiadis Moutinho (BAELL ’25)
• Fani-Konstantina Papanastasiou (BAELL ’27)

In a congratulatory message sent to the University community Dr. Kaniklidou commended the team for their fierce debating skills and exceptional teamwork. “We’re immensely proud of the team’s accomplishment,” she said.

Image: Pictured (from left to right): Adriana Gounalaki (BSPSY ’24), Androniki Fili (BAELL ’25), Dr. Themis Kaniklidou - Provost, Hellenic American University, Dr. Eric Smaw - Professor of Philosophy, Rollins College, Maro Samara (BAELL ’28), Angelos Varotsis (BSPSY ’28).

Career development and study-abroad officers from Hellenic American University took part in a pair of international conferences on global learning and study abroad held at the Athens Conservatory during the week of October 13 - 18, 2024.

Ms. Domniki Diamantopoulou, Director of the University’s Career Development Office, participated in the opening plenary session of the “Careers, Internships, and Global Learning Conference”, where she had the chance to discuss trends in global employment, the importance of soft skills, and the ways in which universities can better prepare students for the job market. She also had inspiring discussions with international internship professionals.

Dr. Ermioni Karachaliou, Dean of Global and Student Engagement, attended the 7th EMEA Forum on Education Abroad Conference. During the conference, she met with new and existing study-abroad partners of the University to finalize the 2025 programs and set the goals and expectations for new academic projects for AY 2025-26. Dr. Karachaliou will follow this conference up with a visit to the 2025 Annual Conference in Toronto, Canada.

Image: From left to right: Michael Palinginis, Group HR Manager, Lalizas S.A., Dr. Ermioni Karachaliou, Dean, Global and Student Engagement, Hellenic American University, Mario Vela, Assistant Vice-President, Career Engaged Learning, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Domniki Diamantopoulou, Director, Career Development Office, Hellenic American University

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