Robles Román Scholarship Winners Celebrate with Governor Hochul
On April 17, 2026, 15 John Jay winners of the Carol Robles Román Award for Legal Excellence went to Albany to celebrate their achievement with New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, and John Jay President Karol V. Mason.
“This was an incredible opportunity for our students to see the Capital, meet Governor Hochul, and thank her for establishing the scholarship fund at John Jay for $250,000,” says Mindy Bockstein, Executive Director of External Affairs. “Each of these students has demonstrated a tremendous commitment to public service. Being in the inaugural cohort of Carol Robles Román Scholars provides them with resources they need to enhance their academic experiences and strengthen their career aspirations.”
Here, the winners express their thoughts on the trip to Albany, the scholarship, and the legacy of Carol Robles Román.
Ashley Forrester ’26
Major: Criminal Justice
Program: Future of Public Safety Scholar
Hometown: Haverstraw, NY
Career Aspiration: Prosecutor
How do you hope to honor Carol Robles Róman’s legacy?
I hope to honor the legacy of Carol Robles Román by building a legal career grounded in equity, integrity, and a deep commitment to community-centered justice. Her work showed that true public service is about more than holding a position. It is about transforming systems so they serve people fairly, with dignity and respect. That is the standard I hope to carry forward in my work.
As a future prosecutor, I want to approach my role with a balanced perspective that prioritizes both accountability and humanity. I plan to advocate for outcomes that not only support victims but also recognize defendants’ potential for rehabilitation. This includes supporting alternatives such as diversion programs and policies that focus on reducing harm rather than simply punishing it.
My goal is to contribute to a justice system that helps communities heal and grow stronger over time. One of the most impactful aspects of the trip was meeting individuals who had worked directly with Carol Robles Román, as well as those who knew her personally. Hearing their stories revealed the depth of her influence and the lasting impact of her work. It was powerful to witness how her legacy continues to shape so many lives in different ways, including my own.
Gloria Flores ’27
Major: Law & Society
Hometown: Puebla, Mexico; Bronx, NY
Career Aspiration: Immigration Attorney
What does winning the Carol Robles Román Scholarship mean to you and your family?
As a first-generation, low-income immigrant student, I work hard to support my own education and personal expenses. Receiving this support has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. It has allowed me to focus more on my studies while continuing to work and save money for law school.
My family is currently going through a very difficult time because my father has been battling stomach cancer that has spread to his spine and brain. This past spring, I made the difficult decision to take a family medical leave to care for my father. It was incredibly hard to step away from school because I truly love learning and being a student. Dealing with imposter syndrome as an immigrant and first-generation student gets even harder when you have to face life challenges. It feels like the battles will never end.
This scholarship means more to me than just financial support. It’s encouragement and hope during a time when I really need it. It shows that my commitment to earning my education, despite all the adversities, is paying off.
Ali Hassan ’27
Major: Law & Society
Programs: APPLE Corps, Office of Student Research & Creativity Scholar
Hometown: Staten Island, NY
Career Aspiration: Criminal Defense Attorney
How do you hope to honor Carol Robles Róman’s legacy?
I hope to honor Carol Robles Róman’s legacy by becoming a criminal defense attorney and advocating for fairness in the justice system. As a first-generation college student, I’ve seen how difficult it can be to navigate systems that aren’t always accessible, and that perspective has shaped my goals. Right now, I am working toward this by focusing on my academics, preparing for the LSAT, and looking for opportunities to gain experience in legal settings.
In the future, I want to represent individuals who may not have access to strong legal representation and make sure their rights are protected. Too often, people are pressured into decisions or don’t fully understand the legal process, especially if they lack resources. I want to be someone who takes the time to advocate for my clients and ensure they are treated fairly. To me, honoring her legacy means using my career to fight inequality and give people a fair chance.
Emily Rojas ’27
Major: M.A. International Crime and Justice
Program: Tow Policy Advocacy Fellow
Hometown: Bethpage, NY
Career Aspiration: Spanish Legal Interpreter/Lawyer
What does winning the Carol Robles Román Scholarship mean to you and your family?
As a first-generation Paraguayan student, this is more than just financial support, it feels like recognition of all the sacrifices my family has made to get me here. This scholarship takes a huge weight off of all of us. It allows me to focus more on my education and career goals without constantly worrying about financial pressures.
This scholarship directly supports my path toward becoming a Spanish Legal Interpreter and eventually a lawyer. I’ve already had experience interpreting in court settings, and I’ve seen how important it is for people to fully understand what is happening in legal situations that can change their lives. This support allows me to continue gaining that experience, pursue my master’s degree in International Crime and Justice, and prepare for law school. It’s not just helping me stay in school, it’s helping me move forward with purpose and confidence.
Nicole Vega ’26
Major: Criminology
Program: CUNY BMI Rising Scholars of Justice
Hometown: Queens, NY
Career Aspiration: Attorney
How do you hope to honor Carol Robles Róman’s legacy?
I aim to honor Carol Robles-Román’s legacy through my continued commitment to public service, legal advocacy, and community-centered work. Currently, I am interning for Judge Joanne Quiñones at the Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term. Although this is an unpaid internship, I remain fully dedicated to learning from the judicial process and contributing wherever I am needed. The reality for many students pursuing public interest careers is that unpaid opportunities are often the only pathway to meaningful experience and invaluable exposure within the legal field.
Through the support of this scholarship, I have been able to continue building my legal foundation without the added burden of financial instability. This support helps bridge a critical gap for students like me who are committed to public service but may not otherwise have the resources to sustain unpaid internships. Moving forward, I hope to carry this same dedication into law school and beyond, using my career as an attorney to advocate for justice, expand access to legal resources, and empower underserved communities.
Briana Quintero ’27
Major: Law & Society
Programs: Honors Program, Pre-Law Institute, ¡Adelante!
Hometown: Staten Island, NY
Career Aspiration: Immigration Attorney
What does winning the Carol Robles Román Scholarship mean to you and your family?
Winning the Carol Robles-Román Scholarship is meaningful not only to me, but also to my family, who never had the opportunity to pursue the educational paths I am now able to access. My parents immigrated to the United States in pursuit of a better life and the American Dream. From a young age, they instilled in me the value of education. Their sacrifices, working countless hours, saving every penny they earned, and doing so with love and selflessness, are what led me to pursue higher education at John Jay College and apply for this scholarship. With this milestone, I carry not only my own ambitions, but the dreams and sacrifices of two immigrant parents. This award will allow me to apply to law school and access the resources necessary for LSAT preparation—opportunities that once felt out of reach.
Rebecca Conseillant ’27
Major: Criminology
Program: CUNY BMI Rising Scholars of Justice
Hometown: Brooklyn and Long Island, NY
Career Aspiration: Educational/Legislative Professional
What was your experience like during the Albany trip?
I was swept away by the structure of the state Capitol. At the governor’s mansion, legislators filled the rooms, giving us many noteworthy networking opportunities. The trip opened my eyes to the life of public officials. I realized that governing isn’t just about power. Instead, it’s about community, planning, and commitment. I was touched to hear Governor Hochul genuinely explain why she was such a strong supporter of educational opportunities. It showed how much she cared about students. After meeting Chancellor Matos Rodríguez and Governor Hochul, my passion to advocate for education systems has only deepened. It all begins with education.
Juan Pantaleon ’26
Major: Criminal Justice
Programs: Honors Program, ACE/ASAP, My Brother’s Keeper Connect
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Career Aspiration: Government Agency Professional/Attorney
What does winning the Carol Robles Román Scholarship mean to you and your family?
Winning the Carol Robles Román Scholarship means so much more than winning $10,000. To simply be associated with Carol Robles Román—a woman who dedicated her life to public service and advocacy—is not just an honor, but a privilege. This scholarship is helping me immensely by taking a semester’s worth of law school tuition off my plate. It’s allowing me to explore many opportunities—such as federal internships that are often unpaid—without the worry of financial burdens. This scholarship is making law school, one of the most expensive degrees sought in the U.S., more accessible—and accessibility was one of Carol Robles Román’s main focuses.
Davia Willis ’27
Major: Criminal Justice
Program: Tow Policy Advocacy Fellow
Hometown: St. Catherine, Jamaica; Brooklyn, NY
Career Aspiration: Defense Attorney/Legislator
What was your experience like during the Albany trip?
It was my first time stepping inside the Governor’s Mansion, standing in the Red Room, and, most notably, meeting Governor Hochul herself. What made this experience especially meaningful was the moment I had the opportunity to shake her hand. As she looked at me and said, “Congratulations,” the moment stayed with me in a way I did not expect. It was not simply the word itself—I have heard “congratulations” before—but hearing it from the leader of one of the most influential states in the country. Knowing that carried a different weight. As someone who once struggled with imposter syndrome upon arriving in the United States, that moment felt like a quiet affirmation that I belonged in these spaces. The Albany trip did more than expose me to leadership at the highest level. It reaffirmed my responsibility to continue pushing beyond perceived limits and to use my presence in these spaces as a bridge for others. That is the part of the experience that will remain with me long after the trip itself.
