ToniAnn Ruggiero ’21, ’23 Readies New Yorkers for Emergencies
Current Role: Individual Preparedness Program Manager, New York City Emergency Management
Degrees: B.S. Public Administration, M.S. Public Administration with concentration in Emergency Management; Advanced Certificate in Emergency Management
Mentor: Stephen Rolandi, Lecturer, Public Policy and Administration
Program: CUNY Service Corps
Internships: New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), Emergency Operations Graduate Intern; American Red Cross, Disaster Response Intern; Young Invincibles, Policy and Advocacy Intern
Hometown: Long Island, NY
What was life like before John Jay?
I’m originally from New York, but moved to Las Vegas when I was little. My dad was a Federal Aviation Administration traffic controller and had a job opportunity out there, so we moved. I went to school from kindergarten through eighth grade in Las Vegas, and then we returned to Smithtown, Long Island, where I attended high school. Growing up, I always thought my dad had the coolest job, and some of my favorite days were when I got to visit him at work and see how his role in public service helped keep so many people safe.
Seeing him do that inspired me to work in public service. It’s why I began volunteering for the American Red Cross straight out of high school. I enjoyed helping people who were in need—whether they were recovering from a house fire or another disaster—it felt good to put my energy toward helping people.
Why John Jay?
I was a theater girl in high school and initially went to a state college upstate to study communications. But I found the major and location weren’t a good fit for me. One of my goals in life was to go to school, live, and work in New York City. So when I was searching for a college to transfer to, I wanted to find a place that was in the City, valued public service, and aligned with my dream of serving the public. During my search, I came across the public administration program at John Jay. It was so highly regarded and had links to internship opportunities in the City, so I knew I had to apply.
What sparked your passion for emergency management?
I loved working with the community during my time with the American Red Cross. Helping people recover from a disaster was transformative for me. It’s an experience that really stuck with me, so when I started at John Jay, I knew I wanted to secure an internship or work opportunity in public service. I spoke with a classmate who suggested I look at New York City Emergency Management. At the time, they had a part-time job opening for a kids presenter who dressed up as a superhero named Ready Girl and taught kids across the City about emergency preparedness. Since I had a theater background, I thought it was a great way to combine the two things I loved—theater and public service. The opportunity was so gratifying. I had the chance to visit different schools across the five boroughs and taught students how to be “ready superheroes.” I shared with them the importance of knowing their emergency contact, knowing what number to call in case of an emergency, what items to pack, and how to create an emergency plan. I even had a chance to walk in parades. The more I immersed myself in the role, the more I began to really appreciate and value the work Emergency Management does to keep New Yorkers safe.
How did your John Jay journey shape your career goals?
I think one of the things that’s amazing about John Jay College is how encouraged you are to expand your horizons and take on new experiences. As a student, I was applying for opportunities I never would have imagined and interacting with people from different walks of life. The experience of being at John Jay fosters a deep love of community, a drive to serve, and a desire to look out for others. The courses offered also do a great job of putting service and justice at their core. So, the projects I worked on or the lessons I learned in the classroom were things I could apply in my internships and use in my career. I remember a few years ago, talking about my MPA capstone project—it was on improving the cleaning of storm drains to reduce flooding in the City—to the commissioner of the City’s Department of Environmental Protection, and he was genuinely interested in learning more about my findings.
How did your internships enhance your education?
Each internship helped me grow professionally and gave me insight into serving communities, working with different stakeholders and government agencies, and showing up for the public. At Youth Invincibles, I deepened my understanding of policy and advocacy work. With the American Red Cross, I was a boots-on-the-ground intern right after a disaster. In that role, I was showing up for people, being their shoulder to cry on, and helping them on what was probably the worst day of their lives.
Through my internship at DOB, I realized how essential agencies are to keeping the City going. I shadowed the emergency operations unit. They deal with immediate quality-of-life concerns related to buildings, such as building collapses, large house fires, cars driving into structures, or permit violations. The unit had to respond to emergencies, and I was able to tag along and see the administrative side. I assisted emergency inspectors on calls, answered phones for any questions the public had, and learned to resolve issues with support from other teams. The experience enhanced my understanding of how the City works and how interconnected agencies are. It also improved my public speaking abilities because I was interacting with people at different levels of government.
Why did you decide to earn your master’s degree in public administration and an advanced certificate in emergency management?
I enjoyed my undergraduate experience at John Jay and wanted to keep that momentum going by maximizing my education at the College. John Jay is one of the few institutions in the City that offers an advanced program specializing in emergency management, so when I learned of the Master’s in Public Administration program, I knew it was the right choice for me. I could earn my master’s degree and specialize in emergency management, a field I’m passionate about and want to pursue professionally. It felt like the perfect fit.
I’m so glad I applied to the program because it deepened my understanding of public administration at a fundamental level and expanded my network within the City. So many people who work in city government are connected to John Jay. It’s always fun to engage with them, talk about the classes we took, the professors we had, and how John Jay got us to where we are today.
What do you do in your current role as a Preparedness Program Manager?
I work specifically in the community engagement unit and oversee the public education campaign called Ready New York. I provide presentations and other outreach to help New Yorkers across the City prepare for any emergency. I also manage the Ready Girl Program—which feels like a full-circle moment for me—and hold events, fairs, and town halls across the City.
What’s your favorite part of the job?
One memorable experience was when I first started in Emergency Management, and the pandemic was dying down. There was a little ticker-tape parade in lower Manhattan, and I was able to walk in the parade as Ready Girl. It was so much fun representing our agency and seeing the City come together.
More recently, though, I love that I get to work directly with schools. It’s touching to see the impact we can have on the students we’re speaking to. I always feel so honored when I receive a thank-you note or I’m asked to speak at a graduation or school assembly. It’s nice to know the work we’re doing is impacting the community in such a positive way and making a difference. This role really feels like a dream come true.
What advice do you have for John Jay students hoping to follow in your footsteps?
Remain open-minded as you figure out what it is you’re passionate about. Apply to all the internships you can. Take advantage of any workshop and career fair opportunities. Network, network, network. Introduce yourself to people, share your story, and don’t be scared to ask questions. You will be surprised to learn that so many people want to help you succeed.
Finish this sentence: Because of John Jay…
Because of John Jay, I found a passion for helping and empowering communities. I want to see them thrive and remain resilient no matter what challenges they face.
