Meet Your Orientation Leaders

Abigay Wynter
Returning OL
Abigay Wynter

Year: Senior

Major: Law and Society

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Fun fact: I love cups

Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I wanted to be an orientation leader because I wanted to help incoming freshmen and transfer students matriculate into John Jay.

What do you love about John Jay?: I love the inclusive environment.

Alexia DaCosta
New OL
Alexie DaCosta

Year: Sophomore

Major: Fraud Examination and Financial Forensics

Hometown: Lynbrook

Fun fact: I’m a yellow belt in tae kwon do

Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I wanted to become an Orientation Leader because I enjoy being around ambitious and driven energy when you first embark on a journey. It’s a great motivator to remind me why I started and push myself to keep putting in the hard work and effort in my academics.

What do you love about John Jay?: What I love about John Jay is the networking atmosphere.

Brianna Mayne
Returning OL
Brianna Mayne

Year: 2023

Major: Emergency Management

Hometown: Lansing, MI

Fun fact: I’m a Ravenclaw

Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: To help orient new students to the campus and college that has given so much to me.

What do you love about John Jay?: The opportunities are endless, as long as you are willing to seize them!

Brianna Simonelli
Returning OL
Brianna Simonelli

Year: 2025

Major: Forensic Mental Health Counseling

Hometown: Glendale, NY

Fun fact: I have a pet rabbit (bunny)

Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I wanted to create a good experience for incoming students as I didn’t have the best experience during my Orientation and I wanted to be the one person to welcome students to John Jay. Wanting to be an orientation leader was important because I wanted to help students find friends and a sense of belonging on campus.

What do you love about John Jay?: I love John Jay because of their academics. I loved all of my classes and each one inspired me and guided me to the field that I want to work in. I know that I want to help and work with people from a stigmatized population. As well, I love John Jay because of the community. Working here has been such an invaluable experience because as a commuter student I felt that it wasn’t possible at first to feel a sense of belonging. Thankfully I made good friends at John Jay and it’s because everyone is very open and nice.

Evelyn Suquilanda
Returning OL
Evelyn Suquilanda

Year: Class of 2026
Major: Criminal Justice
Hometown: The Bronx, NY
Fun Fact: Cardi B has the same birthday as me.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: My role as a Peer Group Leader in High School motivated me to pursue this position because I saw how the freshmen’s attitudes changed throughout their transitioning in this program. I want to become a person that incoming students can rely on for guidance and support.
What do you love about John Jay?: John Jay has influenced my character in many ways. The supportive community here has helped me with my professional development, social skills, and academic journey.

Hannah Knox
Returning OL
Hannah Knox

Year: 2026

Major: Forensic Psychology

Hometown: Tucson, Arizona

Fun fact: I work at Trader Joes; I play volleyball for John Jay

Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I wanted to get more involved in the community here at John Jay and I love meeting new people so I thought this would be a good fit for me!

What do you love about John Jay?: I love that this school is criminal justice based so I can work towards getting the degree that is specific to the career path that I have always wanted to pursue.

Hazel Ortega
New OL
Hazel Ortega

Year: 2024

Major: Computer Science.

Hometown: El Salvador

Fun fact: I’ve been to more than 10 concerts, I try my best to go one or two every year!

Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I wanted to become an Orientation Leader is because I want to show new students about the many opportunities there are. As a transfer student, I was afraid to join clubs, or make friends but I told myself to be open for new challenges. I can talk to others about my experience, my major, give advice for those students that can be scared or shy about starting college.

What do you love about John Jay?: What I love about John Jay is that there are many clubs, events, workshops, resources that are available for anyone. One thing I encourage my friends and others is to join clubs, it will make your college experience better and fun. For me, going to school and going home right after is boring, getting involved at John jay will open doors for new opportunities, meet new people, friends, and learn. As always, making sure you have good time organization for classes and activities.

Joshua Hall
Returning OL
Joshua Hall

Year: Upper Sophomore

Major: Criminal Justice BS (in process of being changed)

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Fun fact: I'm a really big horror movie fan, with Jordan Peele being my favorite director

Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I wanted to become an Orientation Leader because I wanted to use my experiences to help other incoming students to become comfortable with their community.

What do you love about John Jay?: I love that the community is so diverse and inclusive.

 

Karla Osorno
Returning OL
Karla Osorno

Year: Senior

Major: Human Services and Community Justice

Hometown: NYC

Fun fact: I went skydiving for the first time this fall!

Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I really enjoyed being an orientation leader in the summer and I wanted to do it again. I liked all the connections I made and getting to welcome the new freshman made me feel so helpful to the John Jay community.

What do you love about John Jay?: I love all the opportunities available. There are so many good connections I have made with my professors and I know these networks will transcend my time at John Jay.

Katie McCarthy
Returning OL
Katie McCarthy

Year: 2024

Major: Forensic psychology

Hometown: Selden

Fun fact: I am obsessed with dogs

Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: To help other students get to know the campus

What do you love about John Jay?: Jameson, the official John Jay mascot!

Keira Kepets
Returning OL
Keira Kepets

Year: Sophomore

Major: Fraud Examination and Financial Forensics

Hometown: Teaneck, NJ

Fun fact: I love learning languages! I currently speak two, can read and write in three, and am learning two more!

Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I wanted to be an Orientation Leader because I wanted to show the incoming students how much John Jay has to offer by sharing my experiences so far!

What do you love about John Jay?: I love the amount of faculty and staff that are current or past employees of careers that I am interested in.

Khadeja Kenyon
Returning OL
Khadeja Kenyon

Year: Senior

Major: Forensic Psychology

Hometown: Ocho Ríos, Jamaica

Fun fact: I'm obsessed with The Office...

Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: Being an OL in the summer was a fun experience, and I loved getting to know everyone and forming new friendships! This made me want to come back again!

What do you love about John Jay?: I love that we all have similar goals and aspirations in the criminal justice field. And on another note I also love that the library is open up to midnight during finals

Nayeli Velasquez
New OL
Nayeli Velasquez

Year: Senior Year

Major: Criminal Justice BS

Hometown: Freeport

Fun fact: I like crocheting.

Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I wanted an opportunity to grow as both a person and as a leader. I believe that this position will help me not only develop a more confident demeanor, but also provide me skills that I can use in all of my future positions.

What do you love about John Jay?: John Jay has given me the chance to learn about topics I was fascinated with in high school. Here is where I really determined what I want to pursue as a career. John Jay also gave me a more social life. Despite it being a commuter school, John Jay holds a lot of events where you’ll meet people from all over.

Olenier Pina
New OL
Olenier Piña

Major: Political Science

Hometown: Yonkers

Fun fact: I’m the middle child

Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: Be more productive with free time and money

What do you love about John Jay?: The diversity of teachers and students. Also the cleanliness of the school.

Rooman Zahid
New OL
Rooman Zahid

Year: 2024

Major: Economics

Hometown: Pakistan

Fun fact: I’m from Long Island

Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I want to be an Orientation Leader because I want to test my leadership skills that I learned from my honor society.  I also want to help new students and guide them into the right direction.

What do you love about John Jay?: It has so many centers to go to when needing help

Tito Oni
New OL
Tito Oni

Year: Senior

Major: Political science

Hometown: Texas

Fun fact: I’m scared of balloons

Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I’m passionate about helping and being involved on campus

What do you love about John Jay?: The people and unlimited amount of resources for everyone

Zanelle Beras
Returning OL
Zanelle Beras

Year: 2023

Major: Forensic psy

Hometown: Bronx

Fun fact: I’m left handed and do nails

Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: To be apart of the John jay community

What do you love about John Jay?: The opportunities and the environment is very nice and welcoming