NY Giants Fellowship, MBK Connect + Internships Fuel Juan Pantaleon's '26 Passion for Justice
Major: B.S. and M.A. in Criminal Justice
Internships: U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, Electronic Evidence Unit Intern; Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Intake & Discovery Compliance Bureau Intern; Center for Justice Innovation/Brooklyn Justice Initiatives, Resource Coordinator Intern
Fellowship: New York Giants Touchdown Fellowship; EV HybridNoire E-Mobility Fellowship Program
Programs: Honors Program, MBK Connect
Mentors: Joseph Pascarella, Ph.D.
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Career Aspiration: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent, Criminal Intelligence Specialist, and Licensed Attorney
What was life like before John Jay?
My parents are my role models. They taught me the value of a healthy environment, hard work, and a dollar. They have owned their own landscaping and nursery business in Long Island for about 15 years, and I’ve worked there since I was a kid. My love for the environment, desire to do good, and my work ethic and determination to succeed both academically and professionally are inspired by them.
Why John Jay?
I wanted to attend a diverse college that would offer me the best education and opportunities as a criminal justice major. Once I learned that John Jay was affordable and a pre-eminent, world-renowned criminal justice school, it was a slam dunk for me. At John Jay, I’m getting the best education and earning both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees completely debt-free.
What sparked your passion for criminal and environmental justice?
Seeing BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) people being broadly painted as criminals was something that really unsettled me and drove my passion for the criminal justice field. The media often portrays Black and brown people as criminals. They take one incident, where one guy does a bad thing, and make it sound like all the people from this specific racial or ethnic group are bad. One person’s actions shouldn’t dictate how the entire community is seen. Back when I was in high school, the MS-13 gang started making news headlines. The gang is known for having a lot of members from El Salvador. My family’s roots are in Guatemala and El Salvador, and it made me wonder whether, because of my roots, people were judging me negatively.
My passion for environmental justice stems from my parents’ work with their nursery. I don’t want nature harmed by pollutants or climate change. Working on their farm, I came to understand the resilience and power of plants. I learned their benefits and how to keep them healthy and thriving. This experience gave me a deep appreciation for nature and its gifts.
What was your experience like at the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30)?
I took an Introduction to Experiential Learning in Environmental Justice course taught by Professor LaDawn Haglund, Ph.D., that led me to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Brazil last November. The conference was an exciting opportunity because it focused on environmental justice. Several U.S. states and countries sent policymakers, scientists, researchers, elected officials, and other representatives to discuss how to address the ongoing climate crisis.
Meeting with international advocates and being in the room for these conversations during this global forum was important to me. Sharing my perspective as a student was life-changing. It made me feel I was helping and could play a role in safeguarding our planet and its resources. Seeing people work toward a common goal made me hopeful for the future, and having a seat at the table filled me with pride.
Can you tell us about your experience with MBK Connect?
MBK Connect is the best thing that’s happened to me. I’m proud to be in its first John Jay cohort. Without MBK Connect, my time at the College wouldn’t be as fulfilling, and I wouldn’t have the friends I have today. MBK Connect creates a true sense of community. The summer program allowed me to learn more about the College, take classes, and meet peers with similar aspirations before my first semester at John Jay. That gave me a head start. The program’s stipend also helped me financially, and its lounges and dedicated spaces across campus gave me places to relax and connect with friends.
Currently, I’m an MBK Connect mentor, and I love the idea of paying it forward and helping new students find their footing at John Jay. Getting to assist them with their essays and assignments, and successfully guiding them through their college journey, feels like a full-circle moment for me.
Tell us about the New York Giants Touchdown Fellowship. What was the experience like for you?
The New York Giants Touchdown Fellowship program was such an amazing experience because I connected with fellows from different backgrounds who are passionate about justice issues. Seeing your peers talk about how they want to improve the justice system is inspiring. The support you get through the fellowship, such as the scholarship we can use for fees, books, or tuition, is so meaningful. It lifts the financial burden so many students have. And I also had the chance to meet members of the New York Giants. That was a real pinch-me moment.
The fellowship also led to a wonderful internship opportunity with Brooklyn Justice Initiatives. While there, I worked as a resource coordinator for their alternatives to incarceration unit. We worked with defense counsel, and our role was to advocate on the defendant’s behalf. I had the chance to sit in on court proceedings and observe dispositions as well as misdemeanor and felony cases. I also witnessed firsthand how, instead of sending someone to jail as punishment, they could be offered a meaningful alternative solution that would change their life’s trajectory for the better. My role was to provide the participant with information, resources, and the contact details to their assigned rehabilitative program. The goal was to help them work their way out of the justice system.
What was your internship experience like at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York?
After my time with Brooklyn Justice Initiatives, I wanted to explore the other side of the judicial system by working on the prosecution side. So, I was excited to intern with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York this past fall.
At the Suffolk County DA’s Office, I prepared case materials, ensuring compliance with discovery requirements, maintaining chain-of-custody standards, coordinating with witnesses, requesting missing reports from law enforcement, verifying the completeness of evidence, and ensuring defense counsel received all materials in advance. Any missing information could cause a mistrial, so I took this responsibility seriously.
At the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, I was an electronic evidence intern, and I learned a great deal about cybersecurity, digital forensics, and the role of technology in an investigation, which was exciting. I assisted with the analysis of digital evidence in ongoing federal investigations. I had the opportunity to deepen my knowledge and work with digital analysis and forensic tools, including Cellebrite UFED (Universal Forensic Extraction Device) and Magnet Axiom, to analyze and interpret data from phones, mobile devices, computers, networks, and even cloud-based services.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself still fighting for the environment, going to law school, and working for a three-letter government agency, such as the FBI or the Department of Justice (DOJ).
