Read Excitement at New Student Convocation 

Aaliyah John
Hometown: Lowmans Hill, St. Vincent
Potential Major: Computer Science & Information Security

Why John Jay?
My parents are both involved in the criminal justice system and I grew up being passionate about this field. As I got older, I also became interested in Computer Science & Information Security, and at John Jay I found the perfect blend of both my passions. John Jay was always a top choice since my older sister and two cousins are recent graduates, and from them, I heard nothing but good reviews.

What are you looking forward to the most about being at John Jay?
I am looking forward to adjusting to the New York lifestyle, meeting new people and learning about new cultures while getting an excellent education.

What are your future life and career goals?
I hope to develop skills for the forensic analysis of digital and multimedia evidence, and analyze information security breaches within companies, so I can help eradicate cybercrimes worldwide. 
 

Linda Sahin
Hometown: Woodside, Queens
Potential major: English

Why John Jay?
It has been my dream to attend John Jay College since my sophomore year of high school, not only because of what the school stands for, but for how beautiful it is. It’s my passion to bring justice to others, and I hope that John Jay can prepare me for a way to achieve this passion through the law. I love English as well, and I hope that the major enriches my future law career.

What does justice mean to you?
For me, justice means keeping a balance between the worlds and bringing others what they deserve, almost like karma.

What are you looking forward to the most about being at John Jay?
Seeing myself grow and reach achievements in a new environment where I can leave negativity behind and become a more mature person.

What are your future life and career goals?
I hope to become an immigration lawyer, helping people live stable, happy lives. 
 

Name: Aaron Narraph Fernando
Hometown: Queens, New York
Potential major: Political Science/Law and Society
Why John Jay?
I applied to John Jay after visiting the campus as a high school junior during the Macaulay Honors College Open House event. There, I became intrigued by the school’s curriculum, revolving around the theme of justice, a value that I strongly believe in and guides much of what I do. Of all the colleges that I applied to, John Jay really spoke to me as a proud New Yorker and hopeful future advocate for justice.

What does justice mean to you?
For me, the idea of justice refers to our basic ideas of fairness and equality—if things are not fair and equal, they are not just, and as humans, we naturally want to make it right. The idea of justice encompasses our basic understandings of right and wrong, and our desire to make things right.

What are you looking forward to the most about being at John Jay?
I’m looking forward to taking as many law and politics classes as I can, so I can study topics that I’m really invested and passionate about, while getting out of my comfort zone and learning new things.

What are your future life and career goals?
One day I hope to be a civil rights lawyer and perhaps even take a job as a lawmaker or work in public service. 
 

Gianna Russo
Hometown: East Northport, New York
Major: Forensic Science

Why John Jay?
When I was a junior at Saint Anthony’s High School, I decided to take forensics science as an elective, not knowing that one course would change what I wanted to do in the future. I had the best teacher who taught me everything from blood splatter to the behavior of serial killers. One day she approached me and asked if I ever considered doing something like this in the future and told me about John Jay. When I would look up forensic science programs, I would see John Jay everywhere. And, while attending different college showcase tournaments, I saw that John Jay had a soccer team. That’s when I knew that John Jay would be the best fit for me as an athlete and student.

What does justice mean to you?
Justice means fairness, peace, and order. I also see justice as being a voice for the people because it gets rid of the bad and brings us the good. Without it we would have more chaos in the world—more then we already have. People need to be held responsible for their actions and that’s exactly what justice does.

What are you looking forward to the most about being at John Jay?
It has always been a dream of mine to play soccer in college, and it hasn’t been easy for me to get to where I am. I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 13 and had to overcome that major obstacle in my life in order to accomplish what I’ve accomplished. I’m very excited to study something I love at one of the best schools for my major and have the opportunity to play a sport I love.

What are your future life and career goals?
My future life and career goals are to pursue my forensic science degree and find a job that I love in that field. 
 

Yan Shan Yu          
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Potential major: Forensic Psychology

Why John Jay?
John Jay is a very diverse community and I hope to explore many topics with different opinions. Being part of John Jay will give me a chance to explore my own definition of justice, while being taught by some of the most professional and educated faculty members. I like how John Jay provides their students with the opportunity to take part of research and experimentation, which will be helpful for my major. John Jay’s successfulness in encouraging students to give back to the community, its mission of providing studies to prepare students for ethical leadership, global citizenship, and engaged service, is on par with my values and beliefs. This is why John Jay is the perfect fit for me.

 What does justice mean to you?
Justice is when everyone is treated the same without any discrimination; the acceptance of all types of people no matter their color, background, beliefs, and values. Everyone should have the same basic human rights like life, liberty, and personal security. It is important to recognize this and try to help offenders rather than giving them a severe punishment. It’s important for those in the criminal justice field to understand the reasons behind offenders’ behavior and have a clear unbiased view.

 What are you looking forward to the most about being at John Jay?
I am eager to meet experts from the Justice Department like police officers and FBI agents and learn about their definition of justice, their experiences in dealing with criminals, and how they problem-solved even in life threatening situations. I’m excited for the research and experiment opportunities in which I can conduct my own studies and gain first-hand experience through lab work and professional advice.

What are your future life and career goals?
My future life and career goals are to be part of the Justice Department. I want to study criminals and know how they think and commit the crimes they do. To reciprocate my mom’s struggle in coming to the United States for better opportunities and to support my family, I will continue to work hard to achieve these goals. I want to make sure that my parents get the best of everything because they gave up a lot for my success and happiness. Through my hard work, I hope I can influence other immigrants who come from families that are struggling to never give up on their goals.