Staff - Office of International Programs

Mr. Ben Balkaya, Program Director in Turkey

Yiğit (Ben) Balkaya joined the SUNY office in Turkey in 2006, but his employment with the SUNY system began in 2003. Prior to his current position with SUNY system administration, he worked at Binghamton University (Binghamton, NY). While at Binghamton, Ben served first as Assistant Director of Admissions, recruiting in New York City, and later as the research analyst for the Office of Enrollment Management, responsible for all enrollment data.

In his current position, Ben is responsible for maintaining the office’s service-oriented mission in support of the system-wide dual diploma programs, while fostering strong relationships with new and existing Turkish university partners, the Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK), the U.S. Embassy and Consulate and various Turkish government offices.

Ben holds dual citizenship in Australia and Turkey, and is fluent in both English and Turkish.   He received a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey, and an MBA from Binghamton University.