Sassi Kachhelo ’21, a graduating senior from Pakistan, almost put her John Jay College education on hold last semester when she ran into some financial difficulties. “I had to choose between enrolling in classes for the Spring 2021 semester or paying my rent,” she says. “I was worried and thinking I would have to skip the semester and delay graduating from college.” Thankfully, she learned of the Completion for Upper-division Student Program (CUSP) at John Jay that helps seniors overcome any financial or academic barriers to graduation. “CUSP lessened my burden and made it possible for me to continue my education and graduate on time,” says Kachhelo, who’s earning a bachelor’s degree in Law and Society. “Because of CUSP, I’m graduating John Jay and looking forward to the next chapter in my life. I’m excited to go to law school, become a lawyer one day, and move ahead in life.” We sat down with Kachhelo who shared the pivotal role CUSP played in her John Jay journey.

Transferring to John Jay
When Kachhelo made the decision to transfer from LaGuardia Community College to a CUNY senior college, she wanted to choose an institution that would provide her with not only the flexibility she needed to keep her job and stay in school, but also the tools to propel her into a successful career as a lawyer. She found that at John Jay. “I saw John Jay as the right place for me because I wanted to expand my future career options,” says Kachhelo. “I knew that John Jay could provide me with an education focused on law and justice, give me excellent majors to choose from, and would lead to greater opportunities for my future. As someone who wants to work in the legal profession, John Jay was the perfect choice for me.”

Getting the CUSP Experience
Joining the CUSP program before the Spring 2021 semester, Kachhelo found a supportive environment that would help her navigate her final semester at John Jay and prepare her for life after graduation. “When I joined CUSP, I was surprised to learn about all the guidance and support the program offers students. Not only were they able to provide financial assistance through the CUSP Completion Grant, but they also provided me with a roadmap to success,” she says, adding that CUSP advisors helped map out the remaining courses she needed to complete her final academic semester. With the College operating in the distance-learning model, Kachhelo initially worried that the interaction with the CUSP staff would be sporadic but she was happy to see her fears proven wrong. “Even though we operated remotely, the CUSP staff were all great, supportive, and responded quickly to any questions or concerns I had,” she recalls. “The CUSP staff made me feel welcomed and you can tell they really cared and wanted to see me graduate on time.”

Preparing Her for the Future
Elaborating on her experiences as a CUSP student, Kachhelo expresses great appreciation for the CUSP advisement sessions, where she gained valuable insight on the job search process and got advice on how to make her resume stand out and land the job of her dreams. “All the CUSP advisement sessions I attended were very informative, well planned, and beneficial. The staff kept CUSP students up to date on any available job opportunities. They helped us work on our resumes, taught us how to connect our work experiences with the jobs that we were applying for, and they gave us tips on writing the perfect cover letter,” she says. “Through the sessions we were able to improve our interview skills. And, the CUSP staff even taught us techniques on how to enhance our job search by understanding the buzzwords hiring companies and firms use when posting a new employment opportunity.”

Being Grateful for CUSP
Thinking of her fellow John Jay peers who may find themselves facing obstacles during their final academic year, Kachhelo hopes they’ll turn to CUSP for help. “The CUSP program is a changemaker for so many seniors who just need a final boost to get to graduation. I hope senior students who may be in need of help reach out to the CUSP staff and take advantage of all the opportunities and assistance available to them,” she says. Looking ahead to her future, Kachhelo is excited for how she hopes her legal profession will blossom. She’s planning to go to law school, earn her J.D., and then go on to practice civil law and immigration law. But before she heads off to make her professional dreams come true, she’s reflecting on the group that made earning her bachelor’s degree possible. “I’m grateful to the CUSP program for making my graduation from John Jay College a reality. If it weren’t for CUSP, I would have never enrolled in the Spring 2021 semester and I wouldn’t be graduating. The College and this wonderful program led me to where I am today. Because of John Jay and CUSP I made it to graduation and I’m proud, excited, and very happy to be here.”