Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology
Hometown: Queens, New York
Programs: SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge), CUNY Service Corps
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Cheryl Franks
Internships: Queens Community House, Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, New York Counseling for Change
Career aspiration: Psychologist

“This year, I earned my M.S.W. from Columbia University. I could not have accomplished this goal without the phenomenal support and guidance I received from John Jay’s SEEK Department. My SEEK mentors put me on the path to success. They made it possible for me to become a mental health clinician.”

What was life like growing up?
My mother is from Colombia and my father is from Guatemala. My three sisters and I were raised by my mother in a low-income household. Our finances were always tight, but mom instilled in us the importance of an education, hard work, and helping others. I was the first in my family to graduate from high school—not to mention college and graduate school.

How did SEEK enhance your college experience?
The moment I got into John Jay, SEEK started providing invaluable help. A counselor walked me through the financial aid process, a summer program helped build my writing skills, and daily tutoring sessions got me through some challenging math courses. My personal SEEK advisor made sure I was taking all the right classes to achieve my goals..

One of the most pivotal moments in my educational career was connecting with SEEK Adjunct Associate Professor Dr. Cheryl Franks. When I told her I wanted to get my master’s degree in psychology, she suggested I apply to Columbia University for social work. After explaining what the program entailed, she guided me through the entire application process and introduced me to professors and administrators at Columbia. Dr. Franks also wrote me an awesome letter of recommendation. She was one of the first people I called when I found out I got into Columbia with a $150,000 scholarship.

Were there any internships that helped shape your career goals?
Thanks to CUNY Service Corps I was introduced to Queens Community House where I had a transformational internship experience. There, I had the opportunity to work with children from low-income households. I’d teach them different life skills and reinforce empowering outlooks. The director at Queens Community House had her M.S.W. and she helped me better understand what careers I could pursue with the degree.

What was your experience like at Columbia?
Going to Columbia I quickly realized that I was one of the few people of color in my classes. I was also one of the few students who actually came from a low-income household—both of which are populations many social workers serve. My John Jay education gave me the courage and knowledge to advocate for these communities. Sometimes people would ask me specific questions about the minority or low-income experience. Instead of letting that bother me, I used it as an opportunity to explain how programs like SEEK could change students’ lives.

What’s next?
I just landed a job as a primary clinician at New York Counseling for Change. I’ll be working with individuals who have problematic behaviors, anger management issues, and biases. I also hope to start working on my Psy.D. in the near future. One day I'd like to open a non-profit organization that helps domestic violence victims. My mom experienced domestic violence and I know the impact it can have on families. I want to help survivors and their children get the inspiration, support, and safety they need.

Because of John Jay…
I’m an advocate for justice. I can easily identify with different vulnerable populations. My education strengthened my voice to uplift them.