Meet Your Orientation Leaders
Major: Criminal Justice BS
Year: Senior
Hometown: The Bronx
Fun Fact: I’m Mexican-Yemenis and an Aquarius
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: As someone who had to navigate the entire campus alone with no help my first year, I’d like to help the new incomers get familiar with their surroundings, feel more than welcomed, safe and secure as it can be very overwhelming on the first day!
What you love about John Jay: Not only are there many amazing activities to do during community hour to ease the stress from classes but I also love how through these events we can also make a lot of connections! There’s always someone that is willing to lend out a helping hand to get to where we want to be whether that be an internship, fellowship, job opportunities, etc.
Major: Forensic Psychology
Year: Junior
Hometown: Queens
Fun Fact: I bond really well small children
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I want to be Orientation Leader because making others feel welcomed and comfortable is important to me. I'd also like to build new connections and relationships with other students and faculty. Acquiring new skills to expand my work experience is also very important to me.
What you love about John Jay: I love that John Jay is very diverse and inclusive. The school also offers many opportunities to help their students further their journey towards their career.
Major: Criminal Justice BA
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Rockland NY
Fun Fact: I rowed boats in high school
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: To show how welcoming John Jay is and all the new students, both freshman and transfer, will be more excited than nervous for their educational journey at John Jay.
What you love about John Jay: I love how nice and welcoming the overall John Jay community is to everyone.
Major: Computer Science and Information Security
Year: Senior
Hometown: Senior
Fun Fact: A fun fact about me is that I can sing and I like K-pop.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I want to be an Orientation leader because I want to be the like the leaders that supported me when I first transitioned into John Jay. They made me feel welcomed and relieved some of the anxiety I had as a transfer student.
What you love about John Jay: I love how supportive John Jay is and how John Jay is always ready to help when I need help with something down to career help and supportive professors.
Major: CUNY BA
Year: Junior
Hometown: New Hyde Park
Fun Fact: I lived in Hong Kong and Canada
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: To show how much variety John Jay has to offer
What you love about John Jay: The people
Major: Human Services and Community Justice
Year: 2025
Hometown: Queens
Fun Fact: I can play the Lyre
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I want to guide the new coming students to feel welcome and comfortable to the new environment. I want them to be able to know where to go, and find the right resources they are looking for.
What you love about John Jay: The diversity and resources it offers regardless of gender, or immigration status.
Major: Forensic Psychology
Year: Junior
Hometown: Atlantic City
Fun Fact: I collect mystery figures
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: The transition from high school to college is always hard and having someone as guidance gives great support.
What you love about John Jay: John Jay provides many opportunities and resources for students. Things like extending library hours during finals, student food pantry, free events, career fairs, many internships, and more.
Major: International Criminal Justice
Year: I will graduate in 2025. I was born in 2001.
Hometown:
I originally came from Seoul, South Korea. However, I live in Queens, New York.
Fun Fact: (1) I am wearing glasses without glasses on it. (2) I lived in the Philippines for more than 10 years, but I can't speak Filipino, but I can read and understand.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I wanted to serve John Jay as I have received and learned a lot from it. Also, I wish to be the one who welcomes new students as they enter this John Jay building. Since I know how wonderful this John Jay is and the different opportunities provided for the students, I wanted to share this information.
What you love about John Jay: I love the justice that lives in the minds of students and faculties. How we care about minorities, aware of current events, and This makes me proud to be part of the John Jay community. Also, I love the piano room on the 3rd floor of Haaren Hall available for the students who take piano classes and for those who want to play piano as a hobby.
Major: Public Policy Administration and emergency Management
Year: Senior
Hometown: Brooklyn
Fun Fact: I am a veteran
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: To help New Students Succeed in College life.
Major: Forensic Psychology
Year: Sophomore, 2nd
Hometown: Jamaica and Bronx
Fun Fact: I do photography as a hobby
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I wanted to be an orientation leader to excite students about coming to John Jay and mainly to engage with the incoming freshman in a compassionate way.
What you love about John Jay: I love John Jay's resources and its endless support systems.
Major: Forensic Psychology
Year: 2nd
Hometown: Brooklyn
Fun Fact: I love music and don’t have a specific genre; if it sounds good its going in a playlist
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: To help the incoming students feel comfortable, confident, and excited to start their significant journey at John Jay.
What you love about John Jay: The large support system that students have, so that they may go on to succeed and do great things during their time at John Jay and beyond.
Major: Human Services and Community Justice
Year: Lower Junior (Class of 2026)
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Fun Fact: I have a huge passion for Film and took on a minor in Film Studies with the goal of one day creating a film of my own.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I wanted to be an Orientation Leader because of the opportunity to g ease the tension of transitioning from High School to College by being a warm and welcoming introduction to the campus community.
What you love about John Jay: Honestly, what I love most about John Jay is the sheer amount of academic, professional and personal opportunities it offers throughout its campus. John Jay has really helped me find my community and my path in life.
Major: Forensic Psychology
Year: Senior
Hometown: Jersey City
Fun Fact: I can play the trumpet, I ran track and played football in high school.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I wanted to inspire incoming bloodhounds and help make their transition into John Jay a success
What you love about John Jay: I love the community and Professors
Major: Law and society
Year: Senior
Hometown: NYC
Fun Fact: My brother asked Santa for a baby sister the year before I was born, and I came early on December 19
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: To help others adjust to college life and classes at all ages
What you love about John Jay: They are very supportive to all but especially to those of us that are justice impacted
Major: Law and Society
Year: 2026
Hometown: Brooklyn (crown heights)
Fun Fact: I like gardening
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I thought of it as a good way to explore the school and share some tips to new incoming students, who just graduated from High school.
What you love about John Jay: I love the fact when I wear my John Jay shirt, sometimes the cops would honk at me and say " Go Blood hounds" and the school not being so big as well.
Major: Forensic psychology
Year: Junior
Hometown: Staten Island, NY
Fun Fact: I was a competitive track and field runner for 10 years
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: To try to reach out and encourage students to make the most out of their first year at John Jay
What you love about John Jay: The staff are all so supportive and understanding, and they are willing to help you with any problems you have- academic or non-academic
Major: Forensic psychology
Year: Graduate student
Hometown: Selden
Fun Fact: I love watching Friends so much I named my dog Joey
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I know how it feels to be at a new school, especially as a transfer student and how overwhelming it can be. I want to help students transition into John Jay and be a familiar face on campus!
What you love about John Jay: Our real life mascot Jameson!!
Major: Fraud Examination and Financial Forensics
Year: Junior
Hometown: Teaneck, NJ
Fun Fact: I love traveling and have visited 9 different countries so far
Why did you want to become a Peer Ambassador? Being an orientation leader was so much fun, there was no better way to continue the job!
What you love about John Jay: I love all the opportunities related to my career that the school has to offer
Major: Criminal Justice
Year: 2025
Hometown: Chestnut Ridge
Fun Fact: In my spare time I like riding ATVs around my backyard or in the Pennsylvania mountains.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I wanted to become an orientation leader to help the incoming students feel welcomed into the John Jay community and offer them support while they’re transitioning from highschool or another school to John Jay
What you love about John Jay: What I love about John Jay is how welcoming the environment is and how many activities are offered for students.
Major: Law & Society
Year: 2024 Alumna
Hometown: New York, NY
Fun Fact: I am transitioning to be a pescetarian!
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I want to welcome incoming students into the school & make everyone love John Jay as much as I do! More importantly, to give students the key to succeed through the lessons I learned and let them know that we are a community.
What you love about John Jay: Everything! The community, the resources, the people.
Major: Forensic Psychology
Year: Alumni
Hometown: Brooklyn
Fun Fact: I enjoy to bake and crochet
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I wanted to be an Orientation Leader because I want to help out incoming freshman or transfer students who are coming to John Jay and show them that this college is more than just a place to learn. It has a variety of clubs, activities, events, etc. that make it lively, which makes it an enjoyable place to be and for them to feel comfortable and find themselves.
What you love about John Jay: What I love about John Jay is the diversity of students and faculty on the campus. This makes the place vibrant and spirited, and it brings everyone together by sharing our stories and backgrounds.
Major: Forensic Mental Health Counseling
Year: Graduate
Hometown: Trinidad and Tobego
Fun Fact: I play guitar professionally in Trinidad
Why did you want to become a Graduate Intern? Because it is a nice opportunity to work with an amazing team again!
What you love about John Jay: The staff and faculty
Major: Economics
Year: Graduated 2024
Hometown: Levittown, New York
Fun Fact: I'm a sports lover.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: To showcase my leadership skills and network with others.
What you love about John Jay: The amount of opportunities that it has to offer. From the faculty and to the offices, it has all the help a student needs.
Major: Forensic Mental Health Counseling
Year: Graduate Student, Class of 2025
Hometown: Bronx , NY
Fun Fact: While in undergrad , I worked for Sephora’s makeup artist traveling team and was able to do work behind the scenes at Las Vegas Cirque de Soleil
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:To support new incoming and active students get to know the JJ community and get involved as well as learn and connect with other students .
What you love about John Jay: The diverse student body and it feels like home !
Major: Philosophy
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Brooklyn Nyc (moved to queens)
Fun Fact: I dance in my free time and play at least 3 instruments
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:I enjoyed the transitioning process when i first entered the school and thought it would be great if I could help out as well, along with wanting to be more active in my Cuny and College life.
What you love about John Jay: How accessible and easy going it is. The school students try to stay active and encourage others to do so and its something I enjoy a lot, like when theres always some new event in Hound Square. (Also its really clean)
Major: Criminology
Year: Senior
Hometown: Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Fun Fact: I love teaching children!
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I remember first applying to colleges, and seeing orientation leaders at various universities. Often you’d come across people who didn’t seem to enjoy being a leader. I personally enjoying helping people, sharing knowledge, and spreading joy and happiness. I love knowing people have left my presence having gained an experience they enjoyed.
What you love about John Jay: I love the community at John Jay. The effortless feeling of being yourself. Not being afraid to show your true self, to your peers, faculty and staff, and our Professors. People tend to have a warm and welcoming embrace at John Jay, and I love being a part of that.
Major: Forensic Science
Year: Junior
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Fun Fact: I can’t ride a bike
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: Because I feel like my experience as an international transfer student could help a lot of students coming in
What you love about John Jay: The community, especially the one in my major
Major: Criminal Justice BS
Year: 2026
Hometown: raised in Brooklyn, born in Pakistan
Fun Fact: I actually know sign language! (moderately)
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I wanted to become an orientation leader to create a memorable experience to the incoming students, as was mine. I also wanted to be in a position where I could assist as well as grow in a healthy environment. I am looking forward to these next few weeks!
What you love about John Jay: I love the different academic opportunities John Jay has offered me. The professors are so passionate about their academic lectures, it is exciting and enjoyable to sit in my different classes. I loved a majority of the classes I have taken so far at John Jay. I am excited for my junior year, and second year at John Jay.
Major: Criminology
Year: 2025
Hometown: Manhattan
Fun Fact: I am the oldest sibling
Why did you want to become an Orientation Leader? I want to be an orientation leader because I want to be able to bring in the inclusive spirit of coming to John Jay.
What you love about John Jay: I love that it is a very inclusive environment and there are a lot of resources and fun activities all through you the semester
Major: Law and Society
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Brooklyn
Fun Fact: I am learning to play the piano.
Why did you want to become an Orientation Leader? I wanted to become an orientation leader because those were the most helpful people I had met when I first came to JJAY. Another reason being that I love meeting new people.
What you love about John Jay: The quality of life here at John Jay. There is always an event happening in the quad. I also love the beautiful architecture. It is a very unique college and stands out from a lot of the other CUNY's.