Major: B.S. in Criminal Justice (Institutional Theory and Practice)
Minors: Psychology and Dispute Resolution
Mentor: Doctoral Lecturer Shamus Smith ’05
Program: NYPD Cadet Corps Program
Internship: NYPD
Hometown: Wolcott, NY
Career Aspiration: Probation Officer
What was life like before John Jay?
I was born and raised in Wolcott, a small town in upstate New York. Our population is just a little over 3,900 people. It’s a place where everybody knows everybody. Growing up, I realized most people who lived in the town never left and I wanted to be different. I was also inspired by my sister, Katie, who, after earning her degree in psychology, worked as a caseworker. She helped people who were housing insecure find resources to find a home, land a job, and get their life back on track. I too wanted to give back and help people. So, I set my sights on coming to New York City.
Why John Jay?
When I was in the eighth grade, and Katie was a senior in high school looking at colleges online, I wanted to know what she was researching. I followed her lead and searched for colleges that focused on subjects I was interested in studying. When I searched for colleges with a criminal justice degree, John Jay was the first college on the list. It was in New York City, had an excellent criminal justice reputation, and had a super diverse student body—completely different from Wolcott. That’s when I knew John Jay was where I wanted to go.
When I applied, I sent in a written statement explaining how I was drawn to John Jay’s diversity and how I looked forward to connecting with people who came from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. I wanted to learn from people who had different lived experiences from me. I knew being at John Jay would enrich my understanding of the world and be life-changing in all the best ways.
What drew you to a career in law enforcement?
Both my parents and sister work in service-oriented industries. I think our family naturally gravitates toward careers where we can help others. I grew up always wanting to work in law enforcement. While in high school, I was part of the Boards of Cooperative Educational Services of New York State (BOCES) Program, a trade program where I was able to gain more in-depth knowledge of the criminal justice system. I attended classes on criminal justice, learned about terrorism, and even participated in use-of-force training. It made me super excited to learn more about the justice system, law enforcement, de-escalation, recidivism, and rehabilitation. I want to help victims affected by crimes, but I’d also love to help people who are transitioning out of the system and sentenced to probation. I want to work with them so that they stay out of the system and successfully reintegrate into society.
How has your cadet experience prepared you for a future career?
I started in the 24th Precinct on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, entering paperwork, helping people who came in with complaints, and supporting the officers. Then I was transferred to the Chief of Personnel’s Office where I provided administrative support and learned more about the various opportunities available in the NYPD. Currently, I’m working in the Mayor’s Executive Protective Unit. The unit includes members of law enforcement who provide the New York City Mayor with security. As a cadet, I’ve learned to become a leader, make connections, step out of my comfort zone, effectively communicate, and be disciplined and professional.
What’s been the most fulfilling aspect of your NYPD Cadet Corps experience?
Being named a company sergeant. Leading my company and being in charge of 25 cadets was at first daunting but it’s been so rewarding. I’ve been able to take all the lessons and skills I’ve learned from my work in the precinct, the Chief of Personnel’s Office, and in the Mayor’s Unit, and apply it to my work with cadets. I’m giving them support, providing them with guidance, and helping them achieve their goals.
How has your mentor put you on the path to career success?
I’ve been able to get first-hand on the job, law enforcement knowledge from Professor Shamus Smith, who worked as an NYPD police officer for over a decade. He brings real-world experience into the classroom, pulling from personal stories, like when he was on patrol in the Bronx, and weaving it into the curriculum. The way he teaches his courses fully engages you as a student. He’s also a wonderful mentor. When I had a health scare a few years ago, I started to rethink my future. I didn’t think I could be a police officer anymore, but after talking with Professor Smith, he let me know I had so many options available to me within law enforcement. We sat together and looked up different civil service websites to see what paths I could take. We came across multiple opportunities, including that of a probation officer. I spoke with him about how probation officers can help change the lives of system-impacted people and knew that's the path I wanted to pursue.
Have you had any classes that helped shape your career aspirations?
Several of the policing and corrections courses I’ve taken at John Jay have been eye-opening, providing insight into the history of criminal justice as a field, what the journey to probation looks like, and a deeper understanding of the legal system. But it was in the Introduction to Corrections 101 course where I was able to better understand sentencings and how the criminal legal system can impact a person. That class made probations super appealing. I like the idea of helping people trying to transition out of the system.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I hope to be working in probations, in a supervisory role, hopefully in Albany. That way I’ll be close to my family. It’s funny because when I think about the work I’ll be doing as a probation officer—helping probationers in court, providing support, ensuring they stay on track to meet their goals—it’s similar to the work I do as a Cadet Corps company sergeant. I’ll be motivating people to stay on the right track, put in the work, and transform their lives.
