Graduating senior Alyssa Torres ’21 knows the value of having one-on-one support. Through her experiences in APPLE Corps and the Student Academic Success Programs (SASP) she witnessed how steady guidance, individualized advisement, and personal encouragement can help students feel validated, increase their confidence, and create a pathway to success. “Being a Peer Success Coach for SASP and being an APPLE Corps team leader showed me how important it is to have someone in your corner, helping you along your journey,” says Torres. “The guidance provided to students was invaluable in helping with the transition from high school to college, and even from one major to another.” Now Torres is on her way to New York University’s Silver School of Social Work this fall, where she’ll begin a master’s degree program in Social Work. “I’m dedicated to providing social work services to the many different underserved populations in our City, especially the youth,” she says. “Oftentimes, people just need to know they have someone in their corner cheering them on, believing in them, and offering them support. I look forward to being that person for many.” We connected with Torres, who shared her favorite moments from her time at John Jay and her goals for the future.

What made you want to come to John Jay?
I wanted to come to John Jay for a number of reasons. The school’s location in central Manhattan and the affordable tuition were definitely a draw, but what really made me want to apply was its reputation. I initially wanted to work in law enforcement and knew John Jay was where you needed to go for a great justice-focused education. When I got to the College, I realized justice can take on many forms and my perspective and career choice changed.

When you first came to John Jay, what were some of your biggest challenges? How did you overcome them?
One challenged I faced while at John Jay was polishing my public speaking skills. I’ve always been a shy person, and this shyness was something I knew I had to overcome now that I was a college student. Taking communication courses helped me a great deal since I had to get up in front of the class for presentations and speeches. I’m grateful, because the courses resulted in me being more confident in myself and in my voice. It motivated me to participate in other opportunities on campus.

If you had to point to one organization, cohort, person, or place at John Jay that made your experience especially fulfilling, supportive, and/or productive, what/who would that be and why?
My time at John Jay was filled with so many opportunities that I’m grateful for. APPLE Corps, the Student Academic Success Programs, and the Pinkerton Fellow Initiative at the Institute for Justice and Opportunity are all programs at John Jay that helped alter the way I view my career path. APPLE Corps gave me the experience and resources to figure out what I wanted to do in life. During my time as an APPLE Corps leader and as a SASP Peer Success Coach, I realized that I wanted to help people in a more direct and meaningful way. So, I chose to pursue social work and counseling. That decision led me to apply to the Pinkerton Fellowship Initiative during my final year at John Jay College. Although I was on track to graduate early, in December 2020, I knew that the Pinkerton experience would provide me with the experiences I need to pursue a graduate degree in Social Work. I took the risk of applying to the 12- to 15-month program, knowing I would need 12 more credits. I knew it was the right decision.

What’s your favorite, and most memorable, story interacting with this organization, cohort, person, or place?
My favorite memory is the last APPLE Corps and SASP holiday party we had on campus. We’re all such a tight-knit and supportive group, so being together was always fun. I remember we played “White Elephant” and it was funny to see the peers and staff fight over the different gifts. It was also one of the very last events we had together before the pandemic, so I hold this memory very close to me.

What academic achievement are you particularly proud of accomplishing?
I’m proud of being a Dean’s List student every semester I attended John Jay. I’m proud that I made the most out of my time at John Jay and took advantage of the work and academic opportunities that came my way. And, the most recent accomplishment I achieved that I’m really proud of was my ability to negotiate scholarship money offered to me to pursue my master’s degree. I’m grateful for the professional development coach that the Fellowship Initiatives Team paired me with because I would not have been able to do it without them.

What do you hope to do after you graduate from John Jay? Why have you decided on this career plan or graduate school?
After graduation, I’m attending New York University’s Silver School of Social Work in Fall 2021, where I will pursue my M.S.W. (Master of Social Work). My goal is to become a licensed clinical social worker and work with many of our underserved populations, including at-risk youth involved in the criminal justice system, members of the LGBTQ+ community, the homeless, and individuals dealing with addiction and recovery.

Please finish this sentence: Because of John Jay…
Because of John Jay, I have gained real-world experiences that have prepared me for a future career as a licensed clinical social worker. Because of John Jay, I’m a fierce advocate for justice who has a drive and passion for helping and uplifting systemically underserved communities.