Bronx DA Internship Helps Juan Rivera ’25 Earn Law School Scholarship
Major: Forensic Psychology
Minor: Law
Hometown: Puerto Rico; North Bergen, NJ
Programs/Clubs: John Jay’s National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS); John Jay College Student Transitions Program
Fellowships/Internships: Bronx District Attorney’s Office, Professional Staff Training and Development Bureau Intern with Chief Jeannette Rucker; New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, Financial Crimes Unit Intern
Mentor: Kayla Maryles Bassknight, Ed.D., Associate Director of Student Transition Programs
Career Aspiration: Bronx DA Assistant District Attorney
Post-Graduate Plan: New England Law School
What was life like growing up before John Jay College?
I grew up in New Jersey and I come from two teen parents. They had me when they were 18. My mom, Julia, started off going to NYU on scholarship, but when she got pregnant with me, she dropped out. That’s why she always put such a big emphasis on education for me. My parents didn’t graduate from college, but they wanted me to graduate. Mom put me in different summer programs and initiatives for lower-income kids who got good grades. She also made sure I went to one of the top high schools in the state because she wanted me to be challenged academically. My family often struggled financially, but my parents would find ways to make sure I had what I needed. I always say that my mom can make two dollars out of one.
What sparked your passion for the law?
When I was six years old, early one Sunday morning, there was a knock on our door. We were all sleeping when a noise woke us up. My dad, Edgardo, got up and went downstairs to open the door. Then, all of a sudden, four officers were inside our house. They brought my dad upstairs so he could get dressed and then they took him away. It all happened so fast. That was one of my first memories, waking up in the morning and seeing my father get arrested and be taken away.
Later, in the courtroom with my mom, what struck me was how he was handcuffed and chained by the legs to the other inmates. I remember scanning the group as they were walking in and looking for my dad. Then, when my dad saw me, he gave me a little nod, and I was just happy to see him. This was my introduction to the criminal justice system.
I remember my mom having meetings with his public defender and she always looked slightly more relieved after the meetings. The lawyer found a way to take a little bit of the burden and stress off her shoulders. My dad was young, he worked in construction, and often had trouble making a living. He was charged with a robbery. His case wasn’t about if he did it or not, he knew he had made a mistake, it was about having someone in the courtroom seeing him as more than the charges against him. I was in awe of his lawyer. He was a voice for my dad. It felt like everybody in the courtroom was against my dad, but his lawyer was the only person advocating for my family. His public defender even used my first-grade report card to show that my dad was a good father. Because of his criminal defense lawyer, my dad only had to serve about six more months of incarceration, but he was on probation for a really long time. After watching that “man in a suit” fight for my dad, I knew I wanted to become a lawyer.
How have your John Jay mentors put you on the path to success?
Before I joined NSLS, I was the definition of a commuter student—I would go to school, get my work done, and go straight back home. Then, during my sophomore year, my mom pushed me to join NSLS. That’s where I met my first John Jay friends, became a part of the NSLS Executive Council, and got to know Kayla Bassknight. She helped me through a lot of things, suggested I become an orientation leader, and would talk to me whether I was having a problem at school or an argument at home. I could always ask Kayla for advice and she was there whenever I needed a safe space to just sit down and talk. She always saw my potential and made sure I saw it too. When I applied to law school, Kayla was more than happy to write one of my recommendation letters.
How did you find out about the Bronx DA internship and what was your experience like?
One day, after I finished doing my homework at John Jay, I was waiting for the elevator and saw “Bronx District Attorney Intern Clerkship” on one of the campus screens. I quickly wrote down all the information and noticed that the deadline was the next day. I told myself, “Okay, you won’t feel fulfilled if you don’t try. You’ve got to shoot your shot.” Fortunately, I got the clerkship, which was part of a political science class during my junior year.
Once a week, I went all the way up to the Bronx to work in the Office of Professional Development and Staff Trainings Bureau. This was my introduction to Chief Jeannette Rucker. She was a tremendous inspiration for me. As her interns, we did mock trials, witnessed courtroom proceedings, and saw firsthand how you can make a difference as an assistant district attorney.
I enjoyed working with her so much and she pushed me to apply to their summer internship program where I’d have more days and interactions with her for eight weeks. The office officially opened at 9:00 a.m., but I knew Chief Rucker got there at 8:30 a.m., so I made it my goal to arrive only five or 10 minutes after her. She was a stickler for everything—ties, tardiness, everything—and made sure I was always on point. She’d tell me, “Juan, always remember the five Ps—prior preparation prevents poor performance.”
As time went on, I got to hear Chief Rucker tell her story and it really resonated with me. She’s a minority woman who didn’t grow up with anything handed to her. She worked her way up from the bottom and I wanted to be like her. She gave me advice about law school, saying, “Juan, this is your time. If you want to go to law school, don’t take a gap year, go get that degree.” Chief Rucker also introduced me to so many different lawyers and law school students from around the country. She even wrote my law school recommendation letter. At the end of the eight-week internship, I cried saying goodbye to her because she gave me so much support and confidence, and affirmed that I could reach my goals. Honestly, that was the best summer of my life.
What are your plans after graduation?
I applied to seven law schools—New England, Hofstra, Seton Hall, Rutgers, New York, Albany, and Georgia State—and I got into them all. The best offer was from New England, where they awarded me a $150K scholarship, and I’d only have to pay about $4,000 a year. That’s why this fall I’ll be attending New England Law School. My whole family is moving to Boston with me to make it more affordable because I won’t have to pay for housing.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
If everything goes according to plan, I’ll be living in the Bronx and working in the Bronx District Attorney’s Office as an assistant district attorney. During my summer internship there, I met law interns who were 3Ls. I’ve made it a new goal of mine to intern there when I’m a 3L. After becoming an assistant district attorney, who knows, I might just work my way up to become a judge.
