Marine Corps veteran and graduate student Michael Sabato ’21 never dreamt of graduating from college, but that all changed once he got to John Jay. “As a kid with dyslexia and ADHD, growing up and going to school in the ’90s was challenging for me. Learning was very difficult. Nothing about school was fun, so for the longest time I didn’t care about my education. I graduated high school with a 2.0 GPA,” says Sabato, a non-traditional student who after earning his bachelor’s degree in Law and Society from John Jay in 2018, is now graduating with his master’s degree in Public Administration in International Inspection and Oversight from the College. “It was at John Jay that I fell in love with learning. I grew to enjoy the education process and really began to challenge myself to reach for new academic heights. That’s a testament to not only the College but also the dedicated faculty, Richard Pusateri at the Military and Veterans Services office, and my peers. I received support and encouragement everywhere I turned at John Jay. I hope to give that same kind of support to fellow veterans and the next generation of students in my future work.”

Joining the Military
Entering the military straight out of high school in 2001, Sabato enjoyed the structure and direction being part of the U.S. Marine Corps gave him. “The military gave me a sense of purpose. I was able to travel, connect with a diverse group of people, and see different parts of the world,” says the former Military Police Officer, or MP, who was deployed twice to Afghanistan. During his four years serving as an MP, Sabato was an explosives detection dog handler, and gained law enforcement, security, and anti-terrorism skills that could easily be transferred into the civilian world. After the military, he worked as a private contractor providing security services in the Middle East, and then made his way back to the U.S. to run programs for Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and then as a Federal K9 Police Officer for the Department of Defense in the New York Tri-State area. “The military was a great stepping stone for me. It’s where I grew up and gained confidence,” he says. “Everything I have in life I owe to my time in the military.”

Making a Connection at John Jay
Despite the success of his career and the purpose his role in government gave him, Sabato felt there was a missing piece of the puzzle, getting a college degree. “Because my school experience growing up was so rough, I never planned on going to college, but I knew deep down that I wanted to give it a try,” he says. With the G.I. Bill making paying for college easier, Sabato began to look at colleges and was drawn to John Jay’s Emergency Management program. Once at the College, he found himself feeling a sense of renewal. “When I got to John Jay in 2016, it was the first time in my life that I realized I could do anything I set my mind to. I could pursue a new passion and determine my own future.” That sense of limitless possibilities was further strengthened through the support he gained within the College’s military and veteran community. “John Jay’s Military and Veteran Services and Veterans Association are run really well. Richard Pusateri and his team have created a comfortable and safe space where veteran and military students can go during their most vulnerable times,” says Sabato. “I would say, the Office of Military and Veteran Services and Veterans Association was the most consistent and influential staple in my John Jay experience. It really was a home base for me where I felt like I belonged.”

Spending the better part of the last four years as a Military and Veteran Services Peer Mentor and work study student, Sabato provided his peers with guidance, advice, and steady support during their John Jay journey. And, his commitment to the community didn’t go unnoticed, says Richard Pusateri, Military and Veteran Services Manager. “Throughout his time at John Jay, Michael has been a tremendously influential and helpful member of the veteran community. Both in voluntary and VA [Veteran Affairs] work study roles he has provided hands-on advisement and assistance to his fellow veteran students on all manner of veteran benefits, academic, career, military transition, and personal matters. He even hosted a weekly drop-in career and resume support sessions that helped students during their internship and job search process. In my five years at John Jay, no other student has given as much of his time, energy, and effort and provided as much skilled and wise help to other veteran students as Michael Sabato has.”

Finding Inspiration in Faculty
Beyond his connection with the military and veteran community at John Jay, Sabato also gained a deep appreciation for the faculty at the College, who he says inspired him to consider becoming a teacher. “Before coming to John Jay, I had attended three other colleges and what I find to be so unique about the John Jay experience is that professors here genuinely care about their students’ success. You don’t get that in a lot of places,” says Sabato.

A meaningful classroom experience that stands out to Sabato was when he had the opportunity to work with Ilyasah Shabazz, Adjunct Professor and daughter of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz. “For two semesters I worked as a student teacher and was able to help her with her American Cultural Pluralism in Law course. It really was a transformational experience for me because I never imagined myself in a teaching role,” says Sabato. “But Professor Shabazz saw that in me and encouraged me to try.”

Looking Ahead
After earning his M.P.A., Sabato plans to continue working in government, but he’s also leaving the door open for new possibilities. “I hope to continue working with military students and veterans, and maybe even teaching someday. Right now, a fellow John Jay student and I are in the early stages of starting a not-for-profit organization. The goal is to assist veterans during their transitional period, when they leave the military and enter school. We would fill the gaps the government and schools are missing,” says Sabato, turning his attention to possibly leading a classroom. “I’m also interested in possibly teaching at the collegiate level, even if it’s just part time. Who would have thought that the kid who hated school so much, would maintain a 4.0 GPA and now wants to teach? It’s incredible what a structured and positive educational environment can do for someone. Honestly, without John Jay, I would have been completely lost. It helped me find out who I really am and what I’m passionate about—helping the next generation of veteran and military students have a successful academic experience, fulfilling careers, and happy lives.”