Theresa Kaus ’26 Wins Fulbright to Study in Germany
Major/Degree: B.A. in Humanities and Justice
Minors: Criminology and Philosophy
Programs/Clubs: Pre-Law Institute (PLI); Law Society Club, Vice President; Model United Nations, Member; Criminology Club, Member; Leading Wxmen of Tomorrow, Member
Mentor: Allison Kavey, Ph.D., Professor of History; Coordinator of Humanities and Justice major
Internships/Fellowships: Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, U.S. Congressional Office, Intern; Senator Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senate Office, Intern; New York State Democratic Party Fellow; Bronx County Supreme Court, Judicial Intern for the Honorable Wilma Guzman ’78
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Career Aspiration: International Lawyer and Professor
Post-John Jay plans: Study in Germany with Fulbright Grant
What was life like before John Jay?
I grew up in Buffalo, New York, and my mom raised me and my three brothers on her own. My mom is of Syrian descent, but I didn’t really connect with that part of my identity until I was in New York City and at John Jay. Growing up, I connected mostly with my Polish background since Buffalo has a large Polish population. I went to a mostly white school, and most of my friends were white.
As I got older, I noticed there was a lack of diversity in Buffalo. Even where there was some diversity, there was a clear difference in treatment. The Black and brown communities were very much excluded from places where community programs and resources were available. In high school, I recognized that my friends and I had very different experiences from our Black and brown peers. Which made me question, why was everything divided? Seeing this made me realize I needed to move to a place that embraces diversity in all its forms.
Why John Jay?
I transferred to John Jay from Hofstra University. I was financially self-supporting for school, and I knew I needed to go to a college I could afford. When I was looking at places to transfer to, I wanted to land at an institution that was diverse, offered great opportunities for success, and would help me get closer to my dream of working in law. John Jay felt like a place where I could see myself growing and finding myself. Programs, like the Pre-Law Institute, also really attracted me. I loved that John Jay has support systems in place to help students focus on their goals and reach their fullest potential. I’m so happy I transferred to the College and am grateful to graduate debt-free.
What sparked your passion for justice and law?
During my freshman year of high school, I was in the school’s mock trial program. The experience was my introduction to what lawyers do—preparing for a case, understanding the law and how it’s applied, fighting on behalf of a client, and making their argument before a judge. I remember walking away from my mock trial experience and thinking that doing this kind of work would be so cool; that fighting for justice was the right thing to do. It made me want to learn more about the legal field and how I can help defend others.
At home, my mom was really into true-crime shows, so I’d sit down and watch them with her. I would be upset about the crimes committed, but I would get angry if the offender was given a light sentence after committing a heinous crime. I wanted justice for all those victims. I think it was moments like this that solidified my passion for the law. It was also where my drive to learn more languages started. If I’m practicing law internationally, I want to be able to speak to my clients in their language and provide them with advocacy and support. I speak English and Spanish, have studied Arabic and German, and am proficient in Italian, Latin, and Portuguese.
How did your mentor put you on the path to success?
I met Professor Kavey during my pre-thesis course for Humanities and Justice. I remember being in awe of how kind and smart she was. I’ve always been on the shy side, sometimes hesitant to speak up in class, but she made the classroom feel safe and welcoming. I couldn’t help but feel fully immersed in the course and wanted to actively participate.
As my thesis advisor, she helped me find my voice, increase my confidence in my writing, and contributed greatly to my academic success. She’s always been supportive of me. She’s nominated me for several awards, including the Woodner Award for best thesis in the Humanities and Justice major, which I won. She’s offered me words of encouragement before and after presentations, provided detailed feedback on my work, guided me through the Fulbright application process, and has written countless recommendation letters for me. From the beginning, she saw something in me and encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and apply for opportunities that would help me grow. I’m truly grateful for her guidance and support.
How has being in PLI enhanced your John Jay experience?
PLI exposed me to the kind of work I wanted to be doing in the future. Work that is justice-focused and centered on advocating for and uplifting diverse communities. Through PLI, I landed my first internship at the Bronx Supreme Court with Justice Wilma Guzman ’78. Before that, I had no real work experience. It’s an opportunity I’m incredibly thankful for because it launched my experiential learning in a professional setting.
The PLI team, Ms. Elizabeth Broccoli and Ms. Jerylle Kemp, were always so supportive, pointing me to internship or learning opportunities they felt were the right fit, guiding me through different application processes, helping me with interview prep, and reviewing my resume. Ms. Broccoli was also the advisor of the Law Society Club. She attended our meetings, connected us to resources, provided feedback, answered our questions, and instilled confidence in all of us.
What did you do and learn during your internships?
My first internship was with Justice Wilma Guzman at the Bronx County Supreme Court. I loved that this internship introduced me to the justice system and gave me a glimpse of what law school would be like. I had the opportunity to conduct legal research, work on LexisNexis, draft documents, and look into civil law proceedings. But my favorite part was sitting in court hearings and watching lawyers present their arguments. Afterward, I would sit with Justice Guzman and discuss what I observed. What was exciting was hearing her perspective on cases. Seeing the law through Justice Guzman’s eyes was an amazing learning experience.
During my internship with Senator Chuck Schumer, I had the opportunity to work with constituents who didn’t speak English, which was exciting given my drive to support people in their native language. Mostly, I helped translate important federal information for Spanish-speaking constituents. I also helped draft policy briefs and legislative proposals, prepared summaries for staff, and got a first-hand view of the legislative process, which was incredibly rewarding.
Interning with Congresswoman Yvette Clarke gave me a behind-the-scenes view of how government works and how elected officials can really help the people they serve. As an intern, my role was to research ways we could better support and serve the diverse communities Congresswoman Clarke represents. We worked to put on events and back projects that would support her constituents, improve access to resources, and address any concerns they had. Knowing we were helping people in their communities was very fulfilling.
How did you feel when you learned you won the Fulbright Germany Award?
I was so thrilled to learn I had won. This is such a life-changing opportunity for me. It will be my first time traveling outside of the United States. I’m looking forward to spending a year doing research, gaining a new perspective on the world, working with professors who have worked with the United Nations, and learning more about international laws.
Thanks to the Fulbright Grant, I’ll be studying at Humboldt University in Berlin, where I’ll earn my master’s degree. I specifically chose Berlin, Germany, as the site of my Fulbright experience after learning of the City’s diversity and legal systems. Berlin has a very large Syrian diaspora. My research will examine legal pluralism in Berlin’s Syrian diaspora, exploring how individuals navigate formal legal systems and community-based dispute resolution. I’m truly honored to have been named a Fulbright Grantee and can’t wait to begin this new chapter.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I hope to have graduated from law school and to be working as an international human rights lawyer. I want to work with the United Nations or a similar organization that focuses on global justice and human rights. Ultimately, I’d love to be the next Amal Clooney, defending victims, protecting their rights, and making a real difference in their lives.
Finish this sentence: Because of John Jay…
I’m one step closer to making my dream of becoming an international lawyer come true. I now have the confidence and belief in myself to do things that used to scare me, and I feel equipped with the skills and knowledge to go out into the world and make a difference.
