Rosman Garcia ’25, Future of Public Safety Scholar, Lands DA Advocate Role

Degree: B.S. in Criminal Justice Management
Minor: Law
Current Job: Crime Victim Advocate, Office of the Suffolk County District Attorney
Internship: Data Collaborative for Justice (DCJ) Future of Public Safety Scholar; Kings County District Attorney’s Office, Trial Division Bureau Intern
Mentors: Nicole McKenna, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Law, Police Science & Criminal Justice; Erica Bond, Vice President of Justice Initiatives; Preeti Chauhan, Ph.D., Distinguished Faculty Fellow for Research and Professor of Psychology 
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Career Aspiration: Attorney

What was life like before John Jay College?
I was born and raised in Guatemala and came to the United States at 16 years old. Because I was new to the country, I faced some obstacles. I was learning a new language, making my way through high school, and navigating the college application process as a first-gen student. Thankfully, I had a supportive teacher who helped me navigate the application process and encouraged me to go to community college to improve my English and further my education. 

At the time, I was also working with a local nonprofit organization called Ola of the East. At the nonprofit, I was working on a project that raised awareness about the positive contributions immigrants made to communities and I was interviewed by a local newspaper. A church read the article and offered me a scholarship to attend college. It’s because of this wonderful church that I was able to go to community college and take criminal justice and law courses. 

Why John Jay?
I knew I wanted to earn my bachelor’s degree and began looking at universities that were affordable, within commuting distance of the east end of Long Island, and had the best criminal justice programs. John Jay College stood out from all the other institutions. The College’s diversity—where over 80 percent of the students are of color—also attracted me. I was looking for a place where I would feel comfortable and valued, and I found that at John Jay. 

What sparked your passion for public service and law?
I’ve always been passionate about advocacy and helping others, whether that’s helping organize local events, speaking to local news outlets, or participating in projects that help tell the story of immigrants. Through my volunteer work, I’ve been able to see what people in the immigrant community have gone through. I’ve seen them arrested during check-ins and feeling lost trying to figure out the system. I know that under different circumstances, it could have been a loved one of mine in that position. Understanding that reality drives me to help. Seeing injustice upsets me. So many people need someone to be their voice, encourage them, and point them in the right direction.

What was your research project focused on and what did you learn from the experience?
My research with Dr. McKenna was centered on trauma and trauma-informed care in juvenile detention facilities across the United States. I helped interview staff and administrators from different detention facilities across the country, transcribed the interviews, and coded the qualitative data into themes and keywords. Through the coding we developed a diagram showing the keywords and gained a deeper understanding of what was happening at these facilities.

The experience made me fall in love with research because it helped measure impact. I saw firsthand how a small change in care can make a world of difference for someone in detention. We saw it at the facilities, if someone was in a crisis, putting them in a sensory room, and giving them the time and space they needed to calm themselves, changed their outcome. This helped them leave the facility with a greater chance of leading a more successful life.

What was it like being in the first cohort of Future of Public Safety Scholars? 
I learned about the opportunity through Dr. McKenna, who encouraged me to apply. I’m so glad I listened to her. Being a Future of Public Safety Scholar was one of the best experiences I had while at John Jay. Because I was part of the first cohort, Erica Bond and her team really allowed us to collaborate in shaping the program and its offerings. We gave our input, suggested different types of programs and events, and requested resources to enhance experiential learning for students.

I learned so much about criminal justice through the program’s research opportunities, trips to courthouses, speaker events, and one-on-one mentoring—which helped me zero in on my academic and career goals. As Future of Public Safety Scholars, we had amazing opportunities to explore different career paths through various internships.

My first internship was with the Data Collaborative for Justice, where I was a research assistant. There, I had the chance to expand my research skills while working in the field, which was exciting because it built on the foundational research from my work with Dr. McKenna. Specifically, I was looking at bail reform in all five New York City boroughs and several counties in New York state. I would go to court, attend arraignments, observe proceedings, take notes, and collect data. Later, I would examine how pretrial policies were applied, analyze how judges made bail decisions, and explore their impact on certain communities. The research allowed us to identify disparities in how individuals from certain groups were impacted. The goal of the research was to contribute to the creation of more equitable policy reforms.

What experience did you gain as an intern at the King’s County D.A.’s Office?
I got the internship at the King’s County District Attorney’s Office through the Future of Public Safety Scholars program. What really excited me about this opportunity was the chance to see the justice system from the prosecutor’s point of view. As an intern, I handled a lot of pre-trial work, assisting with case prep, maintaining case files, reviewing discovery materials, and organizing trial exhibits. I also conducted legal research, participated in meetings and conferences, and observed courtroom proceedings.

The internship also marked my first experience working with a crime victim. I remember it was for a homicide/shooting case, and I had to learn how to navigate difficult conversations, be sensitive to their experience, and be fully present. The experience really made me want to dive deeper into the world of prosecution and helping victims of crime use their voices to find justice.

What do you find most rewarding being a crime victim advocate?
As a crime victim advocate, I work on felony cases, which are notoriously difficult, and help Spanish-speaking victims throughout the proceedings. The role is among the most rewarding of my life. When I’m assigned a case, I work with the victim from the very start through to its conclusion. Sometimes that means working alongside the victim for weeks, months, or even years.

I love the work I’m doing. I see myself as someone who provides the victim with a sense of peace and security during one of the scariest times of their life. I help them understand what’s happening, provide direct translations, and help them with travel prep to and from the courthouse. I think when a person doesn’t speak English, having someone in the room who speaks your language instantly makes you feel better about the situation. They feel seen and more at ease with the process. 

I remember one case where I was working with a five-year-old victim. I was trying to get her to share what she witnessed at the crime scene. She wasn’t talking to anyone. I remember getting down on the floor next to her, so I could be at her eye level, speaking to her in Spanish, and then acting like a little bunny. It was silly, but it made her laugh and I instantly connected with her. She knew at that moment that there was somebody in the room who was in her corner and wanted to help her.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself having graduated from law school and working as a prosecutor.

Finish this sentence: Because of the Future of Public Safety Scholars Program…
I was able to immerse myself in the world of criminal justice, participate in internships that helped me grow as an advocate, and land an incredible job with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.