Meet Your Orientation Leaders
Adi
Major: Public Administration
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Ocoee, Florida
Fun Fact: I used to play volleyball, I also have two cats.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I wanted to strengthen my soft skills, some of which include interpersonal communication, time management and organization. Being an orientation leader will help me foster these skills amongst many more.
What you love about John Jay:
I love John Jay's campus, and its resources available in relation to my major.
Agustin
Major: Security Administration and Emergency Services Administration
Year: Senior
Hometown: Puebla, México
Fun Fact: Served mass at Saint Patrick Cathedral.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I have always had this drive of helping others and giving back to the community. Also because when I attended my orientation I felt so welcomed and felt like I belonged here, I want the new incoming students to have a similar or better experience.
What you love about John Jay:
John Jay community is so welcoming, diverse, and there’s always something to do. For instance we have many clubs and seminars that help our professional careers grow.
Daniela
Major: International Criminal Justice
Year: Senior
Hometown: South Richmond Hill, Queens
Fun Fact: I studied abroad in Vienna, Austria.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I wanted to be an orientation leader because I had this role before in high school and I loved being able to help students get acquainted with the school. However, I know that HS and college are different, so I wanted to have the experience of helping students here at JJAY because I didn't have much help when I was an incoming freshman.
What you love about John Jay:
The community that we have and diversity. Whether people feel like they belong or not, there is always a place for everyone here.
Dimitri
Major: Criminology
Year: Junior
Hometown: Roslyn, New York
Fun Fact: I’m into linguistics
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
To improve my leadership skills, develop a good work ethic and punctuality, learn to be responsible, commit to a team effort, and establish cooperation with my peers.
What you love about John Jay:
Its dedication to provide students with multiple opportunities across every aspect and with a great, affordable education.
Emily
Major: MA International Crime and Justice
Year: Masters
Hometown: Bethpage
Fun Fact: I lived in Paraguay for 7 years
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
To help new students feel welcomed, safe and like they belong at John Jay
What you love about John Jay:
The Community
Jonathan
Major: Criminal Justice
Year: Junior
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Fun Fact: I’m a Knicks fan
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
For the experience, to showcase & sharpen my leadership skills, & it would look great on my resume
What you love about John Jay:
What I love about John Jay is the vibes. The vibes are immaculate.
Katherine
Major: Forensic Psychology
Year: Junior
Hometown: Jamaica, Queens
Fun Fact: I love photography.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I want to be an orientation leader because I want to help incoming students feel welcomed and supported throughout their transition into John Jay. I want to make sure students have the necessary support and guidance to start off their journey here at John Jay.
What you love about John Jay:
What I love about John Jay is the community. Within John Jay there is a place for everyone and the strong community provides a support system for all students. I love how inclusive and diverse John Jay is for all students because it builds the community and the bonds we make here.
Mari
Major: Criminology
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Fun Fact: I know Arctic Monkeys’ entire discography. By release date, genre, and more
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I want to be an Orientation leader to not only meet new people and find open opportunities. But grant people the comfort of being seen and heard by the John Jay community. Having many find their purpose and navigate through a new space with support as well.
What you love about John Jay:
I love how productive, exciting, and welcoming the environment can be for many. Including myself.
Maxzine
Major: Criminology
Year: Junior
Hometown: Trinidad
Fun Fact: I love to read in my spare time
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I find being an orientation leader rewarding as i am one of the first individuals new students meet and if i can help ease their transition into college easier i am honored
What you love about John Jay:
I love the community john jay provides
Abdul
Major: Computer and Information Security
Year: Junior
Hometown: Bangladesh
Fun Fact: I love to play soccer a lot
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: To help new students
What you love about John Jay: I love the communities on campus
Michelle C
Major: Criminal Justice Management
Year: Senior
Hometown: Island Park
Fun Fact: I enjoy thrifting and horror media
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I want to become an orientation leader to help people navigate through a new chapter of their life whether they're coming straight from high school or returning students, I want to be someone they seek if they need help even after orientation is over.
What you love about John Jay: What I love about John Jay is that there is a place for everyone, its difficult to start out new but if you put yourself out there you can find life long connections
Michelle P
Major: Forensic Psychology
Year: Junior
Hometown: Midwood
Fun Fact: I am starting to learn how to sew with my new sewing machine!
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
Being able to interact with other people whether that being with staff or students gives me a bigger opportunity to enhance what I want to do in my future career. Not only that but just having something to do besides school gives me discipline to actually stay in school and have a set routine.
What you love about John Jay:
I love the amount of opportunities John Jay has to offer their students. I also love how it's very diverse with the chance to learn more about one another's culture.
Patricia
Major: Criminal Justice
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Manhattan
Fun Fact: I am the youngest in my precinct unit.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
I want to be an orientation leader because after being an OL for our last term I realized how much I enjoyed it and how helpful we can be. It does feel nice to be part of the community and learn more about the institution as well as pushing potential for people that are already interested.
What you love about John Jay:
I love that John Jay offers a safe space for everyone and even though is a commuter school you can still find community.
Rachelle
Major: Forensic Psychology
Year: Senior
Hometown: Bronx
Fun Fact: My favorite colors are blue and orange!
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
To relate to others and share what I wish people would've told me..
What you love about John Jay:
How many resources and accommodations there are for any situation
Rowan
Major: Forensic Science
Year: Junior
Hometown: Bellerose
Fun Fact: I have over 30 Squishmallows
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I want to be an orientation leader because I want to be one of the first friendly faces students see when they enter college, and hopefully ease the transition for them and their families. I want to make sure they don’t feel alone during their first week and help them navigate any challenges they may face.
What you love about John Jay:
I love the community at John Jay as well as the support from staff and professors.
Sofya
Major: Political Science
Year: Senior
Hometown: Staten Island
Fun Fact: I’m a Sagittarius rising, and I think it reflects a lot in my curiosity and love for traveling!
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?: I enjoyed my experience from last year
What you love about John Jay: As a transfer student, one thing I really appreciate about John Jay is how many opportunities there are within the Political Science department.
Tenzin
Major: Political Science
Year: Graduated in 2026
Hometown: Bhutan
Fun Fact: Learning geopolitics and dissecting people's understanding of what a hopeful world looks like for them.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
Being a transfer student, I never found my community at my previous college and never had any friends who continued with me to college, so when I found that community and my experiences here at John Jay College through clubs, classes, and mentorship, I wanted to be able to contribute these experiences and bridge that same feeling that a new student like myself once felt.
What you love about John Jay:
The community, once you get yourself involved in campus life, is very welcoming.
Yeeun
Major: Forensic Psychology
Year: Junior
Hometown: South Korea
Fun Fact: A fun fact about me is that I don’t like any kind of berries.
Why did you want to be an Orientation Leader?:
Because I understand how overwhelming it can be to start in a new environment, especially as a transfer and international student. I wanted to challenge myself to become more involved and also help create a welcoming and supportive experience for new students at John Jay College.
What you love about John Jay:
What I love about John Jay is the small class sizes and low student to faculty ratio. Coming in as a transfer student, I was worried about feeling lost, but the intimate classroom environment made it easy to build real connections — not just with professors, but also with fellow students through discussions and debates in class. At John Jay, learning feels like a conversation, not a lecture