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OUR MISSION
The Center for Career & Professional Development supports the students and alumni of John Jay College of Criminal Justice in defining and achieving career success that is consistent with their worldview while employing the learning, skill-building and coping tools that are a part of their identity and experiences.
VISION
Through intentional planning, the Center for Career & Professional Development will provide services that are culturally competent and accessible, thereby producing professionals that are civically engaged, self-aware and professionally resilient.
CORE VALUES
Student Success
We provide opportunities for our students and alumni through a multitude of engagements and programs. These programs include collaborations with alumni and professionals from diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds, which prepare our students for various stages of their academic and professional development.
Community
Our office ensures that our students can identify the partners and mentors of their professional development. We reinforce the value of peer-to-peer and mentor support by encouraging collective conversations, the planning and activities that contribute to their academic progress. We provide a safe space and promote positive relationships in order to build connections amongst students, peer groups, faculty and staff.
Equity
Our work with students will consistently focus on an awareness of the different cultures and intersections of socioeconomic systems and identities as we continually strive for our students to be leaders in the New York City and global community at large. We acknowledge the different cultures, identities, worldviews and experiences of the John Jay community and encourage students, staff and faculty to utilize these strengths as they participate in career education/development. We incorporate a diverse group of professional mentors from unique, and inclusive professions to promote equity in the workplace.
Connectivity
Our work at the center is tied to the concept of connectivity: ensuring that we are creating synergistic relationships between our students, and our internal and external stakeholders. Through career fairs, internship information sessions and other targeted events, we work to connect our students to the opportunities and people who can create meaningful pathways to student success.
OUR TEAM
Premwati Sukhan, Associate Director
psukhan@jjay.cuny.edu
Prem Sukhan has a long career of assisting John Jay students and alumni in planning for career success. She currently manages the Career Center's efforts to serve our alumni, our veterans, and liaises with federal government recruitment programs. Ms. Sukhan received her BA in Criminal Justice Administration & Planning from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Kristina Simonsen, Associate Director for Employer Relations
ksimonsen@jjay.cuny.edu
Kristina Simonsen is the Associate Director for Employer Relations at the Center for Career & Professional Development. She has worked in career services for the past ten years, with a strong background in Employer Relations. Kristina plans and organizes the Grad and Career Fairs each semester, amongst various other recruiting events. Her education includes a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising from New York Institute of Technology and a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Baruch College.
Katheryn Crawford, Associate Director for Experiential Learning
kacrawford@jjay.cuny.edu
Katheryn Crawford, LMSW is the Associate Director for Experiential Learning. She comes to John Jay after eight and a half years at Fordham University in The Dorothy Day Center for Service and Justice. Katheryn is a licensed social worker, community organizer and has years of experience coordinating and managing Service Learning and Experiential Learning opportunities. In her multiple roles, she created programs that supported students to connect their academic work to community-based experience and supported faculty in creating and developing Service Learning courses. Her work reflects her passion for creating powerful experiences for students and supporting them to recognize their own power in transforming the world. Katheryn holds a B.A. in History and African/African-American Studies from The University of Texas at Austin, and a M.S.W from Hunter College School of Social Work.
Muldy Flecher, Apple Corps Internship Counselor
mflecher@jjay.cuny.edu
Muldy Flecher is the Internship Counselor with the Apple Corps program here at John Jay College. He comes to us from the Young Adult Borough Center at Boys & Girls High School for Good Shepherd Services. For over five years, Muldy served as the Internship & Career Coordinator where he was responsible for placing students in different internship opportunities throughout New York City along with conducting workshops and work-readiness seminars. Muldy earned his Graduate and Undergraduate degrees from Stony Brook University.
Soheila Fortuna, Program Director
sfortuna@jjay.cuny.edu
Soheila is the Program Director for the CUNY EDGE Program. She has worked with CUNY EDGE (formerly known as COPE) program since 2007. During her tenure, Soheila has created initiatives that have supported student success and career outcomes. Additionally, Soheila manages the training of new EDGE staff including graduate and undergraduate interns while providing day-to-day management of the Fellowship Program. She was the co-recipient of the NASPA Excellence Awards. Soheila holds a Master’s Degree from John Jay College in Public Administration- specializing in Human Services/ Management and Operation.
Julissa Lima, Program Coordinator
jlima@jjay.cuny.edu
Julissa Lima is the CUNY EDGE Program Coordinator. She joins the team as an Alumni from John Jay, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Fraud Examination and Financial Forensics. Julissa previously worked at the Center for Career and Professional Development Office, evolving from administrative assistant to a Lead Peer Educator. She now oversees the Fellowship Program, EDGE peer career educators, and provides support to the Program Director with all of the day-to-day program protocols and procedures.
Amorita Jones, CUNY EDGE Academic & Career Advisor
amjones@jjay.cuny.edu
Amorita holds over 7 years of experience working in student support services. She uses a holistic advisement style and incorporates mental health awareness in empowering students through self-advocacy, mindfulness, and growth mindset to successfully navigate systemic barriers. In 2016, she was a part of relaunching CUNY EDGE, formerly known as COPE, at John Jay College, and was a co-recipient of the 2018 NASPA Excellence Award for the work done. In her role as CUNY EDGE Advisor, Amorita works to cultivate a culture of academic excellence and intentional self-development. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work at Fordham University and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from in Social Work from Lehman College.
Betsy Gonzalez, Assistant to the Director
bgonzalez@jjay.cuny.edu
Betsy Gonzalez is the Assistant to the Senior Director for the Center for Career & Professional Development. She manages the front desk and reception area and assists students with information. Betsy previously worked for the John Jay Department of Information Technology Helpdesk and has been employed at John Jay since 2007.
Jessica Lawes, Career Counselor
jlawes@jjay.cuny.edu
Jessica Lawes has over 9 years of workforce development experience in private and not for profit organizations throughout the five boroughs. In 2016, Jessica pioneered a workforce development pilot program in partnership with Fedcap Rehabilitation Services, Human Resources Administration, and the Department of Homeless Services to provide career readiness in NYC shelters. Throughout the past year, she has been dedicated to enriching the lives of the students in the CUNY EDGE program at Kingsborough Community College with career development, professional and academic advisement. In the spring of 2019, she will begin pursuing a Master of Arts in Psychology specializing in Industrial & Organizational Psychology at CUNY School of Professional Studies. She achieved her BA in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing at the University of Puerto Rico Arecibo Campus.
Stacia Maynard, Career Engagement Counselor
smaynard@jjay.cuny.edu
Stacia is an alumna of John Jay College. She received her in B.S. in Public Administration and is currently pursuing her M.S. in Higher Education. Fun Fact: Stacia got her start here at a John Jay working as a College Assistant for the Center for Career and Professional Development. Since moving from John Jay she has successfully launched innovative programs to support career exploration and student development for schools within the CUNY network. Now as your Student Career Engagement Counselor, Stacia is excited to cultivate new relationships and develop students both professionally and personally to confidently enter their careers.
Brandon Ramos, Administrative Coordinator
bramos@jjay.cuny.edu
Brandon Ramos is a home-grown product of JJC having worked with the College since 2005. He brings his student-centered approach and a diverse knowledge base to CCPD. Brandon has worked previously with Police Leadership, Jay Express Services, and the Financial Aid Office where he was a Veterans Certifying Official. A John Jay College Alumni, he holds an AS in Criminal Justice and BS in Cultural Deviant Studies. He is also a recipient of the BRAVO Award for Employee Recognition. Brandon has also been a long-time member of the John Jay College Martial Arts Club and Judo Club.
Edwin Luna, Employment Career Specialist
eluna@jjay.cuny.edu
Edwin Luna is the employment Career Specialist at John Jay College. He has worked to support students as an Undergraduate Admissions Counselor at Hunter College for eight years as well as the Apple Corps Admissions Specialist for four years at John Jay College. His education includes a Bachelor’s degree in History from D’Youville College and a Master’s in Higher Education Administration from Baruch College.