Our Team

Makeda Jordan, Associate Director of the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership

Makeda Jordan, Interim Director (she/her)
L2.71.00NB
(212) 237-8374
mjordan@jjay.cuny.edu

Makeda is a believer in the African proverb “it takes a village” approach in developing young people. Makeda has been an employee at John Jay since 2006. She has a particular interest in the wellness, fitness and readiness of young people. In fact, she has her own camp – M.A.D. Sports – that is dedicated to providing athletic experiences for campers in the summer. Makeda is an alum of John Jay where she earned her Bachelor’s in forensic psychology. She earned her Master’s from Queens College in Urban Planning. She has a wealth of leadership and community organizing experience. She has spent over ten years working in the field of youth services and now has dedicated her profession to higher education.

Fun fact: Makeda enjoys participating in bike tours in the NYC metro area and when weather permits she loves commuting to work on her bike.

Iris Martinez, Assitant to Director & Budget Manager for the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership

Iris Martinez, Assistant to Director & Budget Manager (she/her)
L2.71.00
(212) 393-6391
irmartinez@jjay.cuny.edu

Iris grew up in the Dominican Republic and came to the US in 1989. She attended Lehman College in the Bronx and obtained a BS in Accounting. She has exceptional skills in budgeting and managing the budgets for the Center and the student organizations at John Jay College. Iris is always on top of her budgeting game. She brings her passion and love for accounting to both students and staff. After 17 years in the Bronx, she moved to New Jersey where she lives with her husband and only daughter.

Fun fact: Iris loves to spend all free time with her sisters and her entire family. She loves Reggae music. 

https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/sites/default/files/contentgroups/center_student_involvement/bio_picture.jpg

William Quizhpi, College Office Assistant (he/him)
L2.69.00
(212) 237-5238
wquizhpi@jjay.cuny.edu

William is a native of Brooklyn, New York, where he was born and raised. He earned an associate's degree in criminal justice from LaGuardia Community College, and a bachelor's degree in political science from Queens College. After working as a college assistant for the Dean of Social Science at Queens College for three years, where he had the pleasure of meeting and mentoring students, he got interested in pursuing a career in higher education. He has always appreciated assisting others and attempts to do so wherever he goes. William, his wife, and their dog Rufus, continue to live in Brooklyn.

Fun fact: William used to play the percussion in a music band with his 2 older brothers.

Elena Lenihan

Elena Lenihan, CSIL Coach (she/her)
L2.71.00
(212) 237-4844
elenihan@jjay.cuny.edu

Elena was born in San Antonio Texas, but was raised In New York for the majority of her life. She earned her Bachelor's in Forensic Psychology and is currently completing her Masters in Emergency Management at John Jay College. Throughout her years at John Jay she has been involved in the Campus Activity Board(CAB) where she serves as President. Being in a leadership role has been an amazing and rewarding experience as she gets the opportunity to plan events for the John Jay community. Through these events she hopes to get students more involved on campus and create a space where everyone feels welcomed.