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Our Mission
Educate John Jay College students and alumni through collaborative partnerships to achieve career success through tailored support and professional skill-building.
Vision
Empower a thriving community of learners resulting in global, self-aware, civically-minded, and resilient professionals for lifelong career success.
Core Values
Student Success
We provide opportunities for our students and alumni through a multitude of engagements and programs. These programs include collaborations with alumni and professionals from diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds, which prepare our students for various stages of their academic and professional development.
Community
Our office ensures that our students can identify the partners and mentors of their professional development. We reinforce the value of peer-to-peer and mentor support by encouraging collective conversations, the planning and activities that contribute to their academic progress. We provide a safe space and promote positive relationships in order to build connections amongst students, peer groups, faculty and staff.
Equity
Our work with students will consistently focus on an awareness of the different cultures and intersections of socioeconomic systems and identities as we continually strive for our students to be leaders in the New York City and global community at large. We acknowledge the different cultures, identities, worldviews and experiences of the John Jay community and encourage students, staff and faculty to utilize these strengths as they participate in career education/development. We incorporate a diverse group of professional mentors from unique, and inclusive professions to promote equity in the workplace.
Connectivity
Our work at the center is tied to the concept of connectivity: ensuring that we are creating synergistic relationships between our students, and our internal and external stakeholders. Through career fairs, internship information sessions and other targeted events, we work to connect our students to the opportunities and people who can create meaningful pathways to student success.
Our Team
Purnima Mehta Taylor, Director
ptaylor@jjay.cuny.edu
John Jay College of Criminal Justice proudly announces the return of Purnima Mehta Taylor as the new Director of the Career Learning Lab: Explore, Experiment, Excel. In this role, Taylor will lead efforts to prepare students for meaningful and successful transitions into the workforce by equipping them to effectively apply their academic knowledge and skills in real-world career pathways. Taylor is a recognized leader in both Talent Acquisition and Higher Education, with more than 25 years of experience in early-career talent development. Her career has focused on guiding students and emerging professionals through key intellectual and professional milestones, while also championing inclusive hiring practices and recruitment strategies rooted in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Prior to rejoining John Jay, Taylor held leadership roles across a variety of sectors including finance and technology, where she designed and led large-scale internship and recruitment programs aimed at fostering the next generation of leaders. Her strategic and student-centered approach continues to leave a lasting impact on both institutions and individuals. Taylor holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Her return marks a pivotal step forward in John Jay’s mission to prepare students not only for careers, but for leadership roles in service to justice.
Katheryn Crawford, Associate Director for Experiential Learning
kacrawford@jjay.cuny.edu
Katheryn Crawford, LMSW is the Associate Director for Experiential Learning. She comes to John Jay after eight and a half years at Fordham University in The Dorothy Day Center for Service and Justice. Katheryn is a licensed social worker, community organizer and has years of experience coordinating and managing Service Learning and Experiential Learning opportunities. In her multiple roles, she created programs that supported students to connect their academic work to community-based experience and supported faculty in creating and developing Service Learning courses. Her work reflects her passion for creating powerful experiences for students and supporting them to recognize their own power in transforming the world. Katheryn holds a B.A. in History and African/African-American Studies from The University of Texas at Austin, and a M.S.W from Hunter College School of Social Work.
Betsy Gonzalez, Assistant to the Director
bgonzalez@jjay.cuny.edu
Betsy Gonzalez is the Assistant to the Senior Director for the Career Learning Lab. She manages the front desk and reception area and assists students with information. Betsy previously worked for the John Jay Department of Information Technology Helpdesk and has been employed at John Jay since 2007.
Matthew Garcia , Career Engagement Counselor
matgarcia@jjay.cuny.edu
As Associate Director for Employer Engagement, I lead the development of strategic partnerships with employers across public and private sectors to expand career opportunities for John Jay students. I design and implement recruitment events, outreach initiatives, and engagement strategies that align with the college’s mission and student population. I also support the Career Learning Lab’s broader efforts by building systems, processes, and tools that strengthen employer relations and career readiness across the department.
Stacia Maynard, Career Engagement Counselor
smaynard@jjay.cuny.edu
Stacia is an alumna of John Jay College. She received her in B.S. in Public Administration and is currently pursuing her M.S. in Higher Education. Fun Fact: Stacia got her start here at a John Jay working as a College Assistant for the Career Learning Lab. Since moving from John Jay she has successfully launched innovative programs to support career exploration and student development for schools within the CUNY network. Now as your Student Career Engagement Counselor, Stacia is excited to cultivate new relationships and develop students both professionally and personally to confidently enter their careers.
Brandon Ramos, Administrative Coordinator
bramos@jjay.cuny.edu
Brandon Ramos is a home-grown product of JJC having worked with the College since 2005. He brings his student-centered approach and a diverse knowledge base to CCPD. Brandon has worked previously with Police Leadership, Jay Express Services, and the Financial Aid Office where he was a Veterans Certifying Official. A John Jay College Alumni, he holds an AS in Criminal Justice and BS in Cultural Deviant Studies. He is also a recipient of the BRAVO Award for Employee Recognition. Brandon has also been a long-time member of the John Jay College Martial Arts Club and Judo Club.
Eurekka Wilson, CUSP Career Specialist
ewilson@jjay.cuny.edu
CUSP Career Specialist - As the Career Specialist for CUSP, I help students build professional skills and find internships, jobs, and other career opportunities. I provide one--on-one career coaching and lead workshops to support students in reaching their career goals.
Amir Rasulov, College Assisstant
arasulov@jjay.cuny.edu
Amir Rasulov is the project manager for the Industry Immersion Experience at the Career Learning Lab. He leads student engagement initiatives and builds employer partnerships to help prepare undergraduates for meaningful career pathways.
Rabia Raziq, College Assisstant
rabia.raziq@jjay.cuny.edu
Rabia Raziq supports the Career Learning Lab in designing career-integrated degree maps that connect education to real-world outcomes. She brings policy and multi-sector experience to build systems that drive student success.