Meet Your Orientation Leaders
Major: Forensic Psychology
Year: Masters
Hometown: South Korea, Busan
Fun Fact: I love sports so much
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
An encouraging environment where every student feels a strong sense of belonging and inclusion. Such an atmosphere nurtures confidence and promotes active engagement. It fosters a community where diversity is celebrated, and students are motivated to reach their full potential.
What you love about John Jay:
The people and that our campus is clean compared to others (hehe). But, all jokes aside ... I do believe clean environment, clean mind.
Major: Forensic Psychology
Year: Junior
Hometown: Jackson Heights
Fun Fact: I am a professional dancer.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I wanted to become an orientation leader because it allows me to be more involved within my John Jay community, as well as it will let me educate other people about this college.
What you love about John Jay: What I love about John Jay is its diverse community, and its opportunities and extra activities it has to offer.
Major: Forensic Psychology
Year: Senior
Hometown: New York
Fun Fact: I was a classical opera singer for 9 years
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
When I was a new student I was nervous and worried that I wouldn't be able to find my way, which is how I felt at my other colleges. When I went to new student orientation I had never felt so welcomed and comfortable that I would not only find my way, but receive the help I need especially being a part of the accessibility department. I want to give new students the same feeling and excitement to come to john jay as the previous orientation leaders gave me.
What you love about John Jay:
I love that everyone is so welcoming and no matter matter what someone is always willing to help you. If they are unable they will go above and beyond to either find someone that can or will do their best themselves.
Major: Criminal Justice BA
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Rockland NY
Fun Fact: I rowed boats in high school.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: To show how welcoming John Jay is and all the new students, both freshman and transfer, will be more excited than nervous for their educational journey at John Jay.
What you love about John Jay: I love how nice and welcoming the overall John Jay community is to everyone.
Major: Political Science
Year: First-Year
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Fun Fact: I love Star Wars and Batman
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I wanted to be an orientation leader because I like meeting new people, and I know it would help me build connections on campus.
What you love about John Jay:
I love that John Jay gives people who really care about making a positive difference in their community a space to actually do just that.
Major: International Criminal Justice
Year: I am an incoming Junior, which means I’m entering my 3rd year at John Jay.
Hometown: Richmond Hill, Queens, NY.
Fun Fact: I used to be the captain of my high school’s swim team.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I want to be an orientation leader because I want to show incoming students how great John Jay really is. I always dreamed about attending John Jay and when I attended my orientation I fell in love with the school, it felt like home. I just want to be able to share my experience with others and hopefully make someone feel the same way I do about John Jay.
What you love about John Jay:
Honestly, I love everything about John Jay. My favorite place in the school would be the library. It is so beautiful and so peaceful. The jay walk is stunning during spring and summer and the pool looks so big.
Major: Political Science
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Conakry
Fun Fact: I am a really skilled poker player
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
When I came to John Jay, I was lost and did not know what to do. If I was not part of the BK program, I do not know how I would have managed. I want to be an Orientation Leader so I can help new students feel more comfortable and not feel lost like I did. It feels good to give back and support others.
What you love about John Jay:
What I love about John Jay is the diversity. You can find someone who looks like you, thinks like you, and makes you feel like you found a long lost sibling. Another thing I love about John Jay is its love for its students. The school always hosts events and fairs where you can find opportunities everywhere and in every way. It doesn’t let people drown; instead, it actually helps them succeed.
Major: MA International Crime and Justice
Year: 1st year
Hometown: Bethpage
Fun Fact: I am Paraguayan
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
To encourage new students and make them feel comfortable and safe at John jay
What you love about John Jay:
The community.
Major: Criminal Justice BS
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Washington Heights
Fun Fact: I have my grandfather's name in my name
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
To reassure both transfer and freshman students that they made the right choice choosing John Jay, and to show that there’s something here for everyone.”
What you love about John Jay:
The endless opportunities here allow you to explore and truly discover what you want to do in the future.
Major: Criminal Justice
Year: Junior
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Fun Fact: I enjoy 90s cartoons with 2000s influences.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
To help others not be lost because college is a lot when you’re alone.
What you love about John Jay: The sun I can get from the jay walk.
Major: Forensic Psychology/minor in Biology
Year: Junior
Hometown: Jamaica Westmorland
Fun Fact: Graduated from highschool early with my AA degree from Miami
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I want to be an Orientation Leader because I want to connect with people and also be the aid for people to do the same, making sure that the students start out with at least 1 familiar face they know they can always come to for help.
What you love about John Jay:
I love how inclusive John Jay is it’s the first school where it feels like it’s actually ok for you to be yourself and it’s not just a saying.
Major: Criminal Justice
Year: Senior
Hometown:
Richmond Hill, Queens
Fun Fact: .. wow, I have no idea. WAIT. I GOT STUDENT OF THE MONTH by Zephan, the Student Council VP!
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I love building a community and meeting new people!
What you love about John Jay:
The people and that our campus is clean compared to others (hehe). But, all jokes aside ... I do believe clean environment, clean mind.
Major: Forensic Psychology
Year: Sophomore, 2nd
Hometown: Jamaica and Bronx
Fun Fact: I do photography as a hobby
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I wanted to be an orientation leader to excite students about coming to John Jay and mainly to engage with the incoming freshman in a compassionate way.
What you love about John Jay:
I love John Jay's resources and its endless support systems.
Major: Human Services and Community Justice
Year: 2026
Hometown: Brooklyn
Fun Fact: I was featured in an early action advertisement for John Jay and have earned the nickname “Mr. John Jay”
Why did you want to become a Peer Ambassador? Higher Education quickly became a passion of mine after being an Orientation Leader in Summer of 2023, so when the offer was brought to me to become a Peer Ambassador, I jumped at it. It was an amazing opportunity to see the Behind the Scenes of NSO as well as gain valuable skills and knowledge that I can forever carry with me.
What you love about John Jay: John Jay has so many opportunities to develop in different aspects of life, whether it be academically, socially or professionally. I truly believe that in some way, shape or form, there is something for everybody here.
Major: Law and Society
Year: Senior
Hometown: Kingston/Brooklyn
Fun Fact: I like gardening
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I thought of it as a good way to explore the school and share some tips to new incoming students, who just graduated from High school.
What you love about John Jay:
I love the fact when I wear my John Jay shirt, sometimes the cops would honk at me and say " Go Blood hounds" and the school not being so big as well.
Major: Forensic Psychology
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Jamaica, Queens
Fun Fact: I enjoy doing nails and I love music and attending concerts.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:I wanted to be an orientation leader not only to further my experience but I wanted to engage in my community and help others the same way I needed help when I was an incoming student as well. Being a part of a student orientation leader feels like an amazing opportunity to connect and further learn from my community.
What you love about John Jay: I love how inclusive and welcoming John Jay is. Amongst John Jay there are many opportunities whether it's building your career or making new friends and being a part of a big community feels really nice because you won't feel like you're on your own.
Major: Forensic Psychology
Year: 2nd year of Masters
Hometown: Selden
Fun Fact: I am the first woman in my family to not become a special education teacher
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I wanted to become an Orientation Leader because I wanted to help students get acclimated to campus and feel comfortable getting around. I know how to feels to transfer to a new school and not know anyone and I hope to be a familiar face on campus.
What you love about John Jay:
Our real life mascot Jameson!!
Major: Criminology
Year: Junior
Hometown: Brooklyn
Fun Fact: I know American Sign Language.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I want to be an Orientation Leader to provide the welcoming environment and support for incoming students as I was once an incoming freshman. I hope to be an encouraging and inspiring OL for these young students so that they too can feel confident and comfortable learning their way throughout John Jay and its community, especially to take part in the campus community and thrive on their own.
What you love about John Jay: I love the open community John Jay has and the environment it brings to either take part or join events that occur around campus. Especially when there is free food and music playing, I love to see everyone get together and share an experience.
Major: Criminology
Year: Freshman
Hometown: New York (Brooklyn)
Fun Fact: I have a great memory and am truly into fashion which stems from the things I watch to the music I listen to.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I truly want to be an Orientation Leader to truly expand my knowledge not only upon John Jay but build a stronger bond with my peers. I also want welcoming students to feel seen and appreciated for the skills their gonna bring to John Jay and know that they'll be valued along the way.
What you love about John Jay:
I love the classes and especially how productive the environment truly is. Everywhere is truly welcoming and open-minded.
Major: Cell & Molecular Biology
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: The Bronx
Fun Fact: I like photography and like to take pictures sometimes with my camera.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
This opportunity would allow me to build confidence in myself and nothing could make me more confident than putting myself out there. To walk into an unknown territory can be daunting, but an orientation leader made me feel as if John Jay was my home. Being an orientation leader would help me assert myself ahead and overcome challenges.
What you love about John Jay:
I love John Jay for the number of interesting people I meet and the professors who devote their time to our education.
Major: Criminology
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Trinidad
Fun Fact: I love to read
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I want to be apart of something that helps others who need guidance and i do know the college journey can be a lot.
What you love about John Jay: I love the community as everyone is so welcoming.
Major: Forensic Psychology
Year: Sophmore
Hometown: Brooklyn
Fun Fact: I was in the YMCA swimming team across from John Jay.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
Being able to interact with other people whether that being with staff or students gives me a bigger opportunity to enhance what I want to do in my future career. Not only that but just having something to do besides school gives me more motivation to actually stay in school and have a set routine.
What you love about John Jay:
I love the amount of opportunities John Jay has to offer their students. I also love how it's very diverse with the chance to learn more about one another's culture.
Major: Computer Science & Information Security
Year: Senior
Hometown: Brooklyn
Fun Fact: The Fall semester is way better than the spring
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I wanted to help new students feel welcome and supported the way I did when I transferred in.
What you love about John Jay:
The community
Major: Forensic Science
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Fun Fact: I'm learning how to 3D print
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I want to inspire people to follow their dreams
What you love about John Jay:
I love the tutor programs that they have
Major: Criminal Justice
Year: Freshman
Hometown: New York,NY
Fun Fact: I'm an onky child that enjoys engaging in possible "boring" conversations.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I want to be an Orientation Leader because my leaders caused an impact in my experience even before I entered John Jay as a student since I attended every tour and accepted student day. I enjoyed the tours, explanations, games and even the small interactions created big impacts that make me feel comfortable and that I belong here.
What you love about John Jay:
John Jay is personally giving me the college experience I imagined, I love J walk, small spaces such as the immigrant lounge, peer advisors that I can talk to and the student life I have here.
Major: Forensic Mental Health Counseling
Year: 2026
Hometown: Trinidad and Tobago
Fun Fact: I am a petite runway model
Why did you want to become a Graduate Intern? It was and continues to be a way to give back to the community and help foster a sense of community at John Jay. I also love working with the STP Team in every capacity.
What you love about John Jay: The staff and faculty.
Major: Law and Society
Year: 2028
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Fun Fact: I loved rollerblading.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I’m a sociable person and I love getting to know others. I also want to help new students feel welcomed and supported as they transition to campus life.
What you love about John Jay:
I love the opportunities that John Jay provides, and the diversity here makes me feel welcomed. The support from the staff has been invaluable in guiding me during my time at John Jay.
Major: Criminology
Year: First-Year
Hometown: Brooklyn Nyc (moved to queens)
Fun Fact: I like reading and collecting books
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I really enjoy leading and working for school events because I find them to be fun.
What you love about John Jay:
I love the ambience of John Jay
Major: Political Science
Year: Junior
Hometown: Staten Island
Fun Fact: I placed 5th in high jump for US nationals in 2023
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I want to experience working with John Jay
What you love about John Jay:
The fact that there is so much room to explore your interests, and career.
Major: Political Science
Year: Senior
Hometown: Bhutan
Fun Fact: Passionate about the environment and care for nature
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
When I first came to John Jay College, I found myself excited, nervous, and confused about what to expect. But the Orientation Leaders with whom I was connected allowed me to seek that understanding that I was questioning.
What you love about John Jay:
The passionate peers I have met along the way who strive for justice.