Military Rank: U.S. Marine Corps Corporal (retired)
Major: B.S. Criminal Justice
Programs: Military & Veteran Services; Rifle Team
Mentors: Professor Elton Beckett, Military & Veteran Services Director Richard Pusateri
Hometown: Queens, NY
Career Aspiration: U.S. Marshal

What was life like before John Jay?
Both of my parents immigrated to the U.S. from Ecuador and neither of them went to college. When I was very young, my father was incarcerated. So, throughout my childhood, it was just me and my mom. We struggled a lot. Most days we didn’t have enough to eat. No one in my household knew English and I was left back in the first grade because I couldn’t speak the language. I ended up learning English by watching The People’s Court on television. I started to become interested in the criminal justice system because of my dad’s experience and that show.

Why John Jay?
After I left the military in 2023, I came back to a completely different situation. My dad was released and living at home. We disagreed a lot. One time we got into a very heated argument and I ended up leaving the house. I didn’t have any place to go, so I started living out of my car and going to shelters. Then I remembered how I always wanted to go to John Jay. After the military, I didn’t really have a plan for my life, so I put in “veterans” in the search bar on the College’s website and Mr. Richard’s (Pusateri) name popped up. I contacted him and told him that I wanted to pursue my education but I didn’t know what to do. He invited me to the school, walked me around campus, and explained exactly what I needed to do to apply and secure the benefits I earned from the military. After that, I was ready to come to John Jay.

What was your role while on active duty?
I was an infantry rifleman. When I first started, that meant a lot of training. Waking up at 5:00 a.m., working out, and taking rifle classes. Sometimes, we’d have to get up at 2:00 in the morning, grab our weapons, find our designated location, and train in the woods for a whole week. I was deployed to Afghanistan. It was an eye-opening experience and made me see how privileged I was because in my country there was freedom. I would talk to families over there who said they were risking their lives just by talking to Americans and speaking English. I saw a lot of suffering and those images stayed with me. One of the hardest jobs we had was protecting the U.S. Embassy during the evacuation.

What was your favorite thing about the U.S. Marine Corps?
Being a Marine gave me the family that I always wanted. Everybody came from different backgrounds and places, but that didn’t stop us from having a connection with each other. It felt more secure than the life I had before. When I first went into the Marine Corps, I was just happy being fed. Growing up, I didn’t always have breakfast, lunch, and dinner—eating three meals a day felt good. The military made me more confident and patient. Now, after what I experienced, I’m not scared to speak up, try new things, or talk to new people.

How have your mentors helped you?
After my time in the military, I was struggling with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Mr. Richard, who is a veteran himself, helped get me into therapy. Professor Beckett, who’s an outstanding guy, always made time to sit down and talk with me. He put me at ease. Professor Beckett showed me that it was okay to have the feelings I was having. He gave me life advice and stressed that after what I’d been through, I needed to find ways to relax.

What advice would you give military service members or veterans considering John Jay?
Don’t be afraid, apply. You’ll find a family here. I found peace, friends, and help at John Jay that changed my life. You will too. The professors, students, and staff are always willing to help you.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I hope to have a loving family, a home, and a career as a U.S. Marshal where I can help protect people and save lives.