Celebrating Black History Month offers us an important opportunity to recognize the many achievements and contributions that African Americans have made. It’s a time to honor African American leaders who had the courage to challenge inequities, strive for excellence under any circumstance, and blaze a trail for generations to come. In this article series, throughout February, we hope to educate, engage, and empower our community by learning more about the Black experience in America.

Inspired by leaders in the Black community, February 2022 Malcolm/King Award winner and ACE and Honors Program student Shania Roseborough ’22 is uplifting people of color who may feel unfairly treated by the criminal legal system. “As a Community Engagement intern with the Midtown Community Court, I’m helping create a space for individuals to speak up about their experiences with the system,” says the Criminal Justice major who dreams of becoming a lawyer. “It’s about coming together and having honest conversations so that we can have a fairer system. We want to help solve the problems within the system, reduce recidivism, and improve their outcomes once they’re back in their communities.” We connected with Roseborough to learn more about the leaders in the Black community who have inspired her and find out more about her plans to advance fairness and equality for people of color.

What does the diversity at John Jay College mean to you and how has it impacted your educational journey?
It means that students get together to celebrate and discuss how we are more alike than different. Being at John Jay, I now see everything I do through the lens of inclusivity. I’m committed, now more than ever, to advancing and celebrating diversity, inclusiveness, and equity.

How do you celebrate Black History Month?
I celebrate Black History Month by reflecting on the numerous Black figures who have fought hard and given so much to enable me to have the opportunities that I have today. I talk with my peers about how we can continue to advance Black liberty, while also recognizing and appreciating our Black roots. Applauding African Americans’ numerous accomplishments, means continuing to dream big and actively trying to make a difference in a world where there is insufficient diversity, inclusion, and equity for all people. As long as I live, I will continue to celebrate my Black history, be comfortable in my Black skin, and be proud of where I come from.

What goals do you have for advancing equality and fairness for all people, especially African Americans?
As a Community Engagement intern with Midtown Community Court, I’m able to advance equality by giving people of color a voice. It’s no secret that people of color are disproportionately targeted by the criminal legal system. I want to create a safe space where they can honestly speak about their experiences with the system and discuss ways to improve the system. At John Jay, I aim to use my different responsibilities, such as Chair of the Racial Equity Taskforce, to provide opportunities for students to get together and express their concerns and proposals for making the campus more inclusive and diverse.

When you think of African American history, what makes you the proudest?
I’m most proud of the attitude, resilience, determination, and sacrifices that our African American ancestors and figures made to improve the lives of others. It’s that mentality that inspires me to want to fight for something greater than myself. Icons like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Harriet Tubman, Fred Hampton, and Rosa Parks did not have to sacrifice and give their lives to fight for the prosperity of African Americans, but they did. It’s due to their belief that our Black skin can be accepted that I and other ambitious Black students will continue to work for justice and equality for our people and for everyone.

Silvia Dapía, Ph.D., Professor of Modern Languages and Literature, was awarded the 2021 Anna M. Cienciala Award by the Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America (PIASA) for best-edited book in Polish Studies. The volume of work, Gombrowicz in Transnational Context: Translation, Affect, and Politics, features various prominent scholars and focuses on the body of literature written by Witold Gombrowicz, a Polish-born novelist, playwright, and author. “While Gombrowicz is a well-known figure in Polish, French, and Argentinian literature, his work deserves wider recognition in the English-speaking world,” says Dapía. “I aimed to bring together scholars that belong not only to different countries but different academic departments as well to guarantee new perspectives on Gombrowicz. Winning this award is especially meaningful to me because the development of this volume owes much to PIASA.” Dapía shared with us her journey to John Jay, why this work is important to her, and her plans for the future.

Can you tell us about your work at John Jay? Why was John Jay the right institution for you?
When I came to John Jay in 2010 as a professor and Chair of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, the department offered no credentials in Spanish. My expertise is in Latin American literature and culture, and German literature and culture. John Jay serves one of the largest Hispanic student populations of any four-year college in the northeast, so as Chair I set about creating a Spanish language major. I also created a minor in Spanish that students can take to meet their general education requirements and certificate programs in legal translation and interpretation. Currently, I teach courses for our Spanish major, General Education, and for the Ph.D. Program at CUNY’s Graduate Center. John Jay College was, and still is, the right institution for me because it allows me to contribute to the visibility of the unique role modern languages play within the liberal arts curriculum of a college dedicated to educating for justice.

Can you give us a deeper understanding of your work on Gombrowicz in Transnational Context: Translation, Affect, and Politics? Why were you compelled to edit this book?
In 1939, Gombrowicz accepted an invitation to take part in the maiden voyage of the Polish transatlantic liner Chrobry to Buenos Aires during the year that Germany invaded Poland. He ended up staying there for 23 years, but those first years in Buenos Aires were not easy. He did not know Spanish and had neither money nor friends, however, while there, he wrote his play Marriage, most of Diary, and three novels, Trans-Atlantyk, Pornography, and began Cosmos. Eventually, with a group of Cuban and Argentinean writer friends, he translated his prewar novel Ferdydurke into Spanish.

Gombrowicz in Transnational Context: Translation, Affect, and Politics studies Gombrowicz’s work in connection to translation and its impact. Moreover, to better understand these aspects of his work we place him in a political context. The book is divided into three sections: translation, affect, and politics. It was compelling for me to put together a volume that allowed readers to hear a wide variety of voices, which includes cultural and literary theorists and specialists in Slavic and Latin American literature, as well as Jerzy Jarzębski, the very best living scholar of Gombrowicz in the world.

Can you tell us more about the Anna M. Cienciala Award?
The Anna M. Cienciala Award was established to recognize the importance of collaborative scholarship and to honor Anna Cienciala’s long career and accomplishments in Polish studies. I organized two sessions on Gombrowicz for the Fifth World Congress on Polish Studies that PIASA sponsored in Warsaw in 2014 which introduced me to many of the scholars who later contributed to my edited volume.

Celebrating Black History Month offers us an important opportunity to recognize the many achievements and contributions that African Americans have made. It’s a time to honor African American leaders who had the courage to challenge inequities, strive for excellence under any circumstance, and blaze a trail for generations to come. In this article series, throughout February, we hope to educate, engage, and empower our community by learning more about the Black experience in America.

Macaulay Honors student Tiffany Rodriguez ’25, a Political Science major and winner of the 2022 Malcolm/King Award, knows the valuable role diversity can play in education. Growing up in a predominantly white town in Long Island, New York, she was one of the few Latinx students in her school. “There was really no one like me in the schools I went to, so I had to pave a way for myself throughout my educational journey,” says Rodriguez. “I’m so grateful for John Jay College because it uplifts communities of color. It’s been the most diverse educational institution I’ve been part of in my academic journey. My classes are composed of people of color who inspire me every day.”

Hoping to take the empowerment she feels at John Jay out into the world, Rodriguez aspires to become a lawyer and help shape policies that uplift and champion communities of color. “It’s important to pave the way for the next generation by shaping local policies that support our communities. We deserve to thrive.” We connected with Rodriguez to learn more about how she celebrates Black History Month and how she hopes to advance diversity in the future.

How do you celebrate Black History Month and why is it important for you to celebrate it?
I’m celebrating Black History Month by reading a book called Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge. I also follow and support Black artists on Instagram and listen to Black music artists like Kanye West, J.Cole, and Labrinth all year round. I find it outrageous that there is only one month where we celebrate Black history and the accomplishments of Black people in this country. They should always be celebrated. I feel the same way about Hispanic Heritage Month. These monthlong celebrations may “end” but we never stop being people of color. We never stop being discriminated against. Our struggles don’t stop. Neither do our contributions and accomplishments.

Do you see a link between the struggles faced by African Americans and Latinx people in this country?
I find that the struggles African Americans and Latino Americans face can be different at times, but there is an intersection and an understanding between the two groups. Both groups know that by being people of color we carry a heavy weight on our shoulders. For instance, when I’m in a white space, I only feel comfortable when there are other people of color in the room with me. We understand the struggle. We are in this fight against racism together.

As someone who has seen her Colombian father face racial injustices, I’m aware of colorism and racism and I want to fight against these issues. I’ve seen my father pulled over and accused of kidnapping me, his own child, because I have fairer skin. I’ve heard him being called the “n-word” while we rode our bikes down the street. What amazed me always was his reaction. He would just keep going on with his day, with his head held high. He’s proud of who he is and I’m even prouder to be his daughter.

What African American leader, alive or deceased, has made the biggest impact on you and why?
I’ve been learning more about Civil Rights activist Angela Davis and her story has had a profound impact on me. After reading her book Are Prisons Obsolete? I realized how our prison system targets Black and Latino individuals. If you look at the numbers, it’s clear to see they’re disproportionately represented in the prison system.

If you could talk to Angela Davis, what would you ask her?
I would want to get her advice on how to unify people behind movements that promote the advancement of people of color; especially how to unify Gen Z. We’re the most diverse, progressive, educated, and technologically connected generation by far. With a single push of a button, we can get hundreds of people to look at a post on Instagram. Imagine what we can accomplish by working together and promoting our causes on bigger platforms. We have the power to get involved in government processes, to change policies and legislation for the advancement of communities of color.

Celebrating Black History Month offers us an important opportunity to recognize the many achievements and contributions that African Americans have made. It’s a time to honor African American leaders who had the courage to challenge inequities, strive for excellence under any circumstance, and blaze a trail for generations to come. In this article series, throughout February, we hope to educate, engage, and empower our community by learning more about the Black experience in America.

McNair Scholar and 2022 Malcolm/King Award winner Angelina Benli ’22 is fully aware of the powerful role civic engagement can have on Black communities. During an internship with former New York City Council Member Robert E. Cornegy Jr., she witnessed how Black leaders and business owners in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant and Northern Crown Heights neighborhoods worked to uplift and support the community. Determined to do her part, Benli, who was raised in Brooklyn, hopes that her research in elections, disenfranchisement, and voter mobilization will bolster civic engagement in communities of color.“I’m invested in increasing voter turnout and civic engagement amongst young people and minority populations,” says the criminology and forensic psychology major. “There’s a real lack of civic education in this country and I believe that we have a lot at stake, especially in our local and state elections. I hope that my research can influence policy change and increase civic education for our K–12 students. When people are informed about the civic process, what steps they can take to be part of the process, and what can be done to change the conditions in our communities, that’s where real change begins.” We spoke with Benli to learn how she’s proactively supporting the Black community during Black History Month and to find out more about her future plans.  

What does the diversity at John Jay College mean to you and how has it impacted your educational journey?
I’m endlessly grateful for the diversity here at John Jay College. It’s meant that in every class I’m in, I’m exposed to different types of thinking informed by each individual’s lived experiences. I’m part of the McNair Scholars Program, which prepares underrepresented groups to become doctoral students. More specifically, I’m a member of the cohort of first-generation college students. I was born in Uzbekistan and raised in Brooklyn. I’m so thankful that there are programs on campus that foster this type of diversity and use it as an opportunity to uplift diverse communities and ensure their success.

How do you celebrate Black History Month and what does it mean to you to applaud the many achievements of African Americans?
I celebrate Black History Month by engaging with mutual aid projects across the city and providing direct material support to those who need it, through things like grocery distribution, filling community refrigerators, and making baby boxes for new parents. I interned for District 36 Council Member Robert E. Cornegy Jr. who represented the Bedford-Stuyvesant and Northern Crown Heights sections of Brooklyn. During that internship, one of my favorite projects was the Sharing Economy Weekend—a partnership between sharing economy, app-based business, and local brick-and-mortar businesses. Most of the businesses in the community were Black-owned, which meant that I had the opportunity to visit, try their products, and get to know the owners and their businesses. It was a wonderful opportunity. I make it a point to frequent some of my favorite businesses there to show my support for the community not just this month but all year round.

When you think of African American history, what makes you the proudest?
The countless contributions to art, style, music, and culture make me the proudest. So much of popular culture has been influenced by Black culture, from streetwear to nail art, to the impact of Sister Rosetta Tharpe on rock and roll music. Growing up in New York City has given me a front-row seat to the Black community’s incredible contributions to art and culture, from the street art in East New York to shows at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. I’m so grateful to experience it.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
If everything goes according to plan, I will be a tenured professor in a political science department and still doing elections research. Currently, I have four fully-funded offers to start my Ph.D. in Political Science this fall at the University of Albany, Michigan State University, the University of Nebraska, and University of California, Davis. While I’m still in the process of deciding where I will be attending, I’m excited about taking all the knowledge I’ve gained at John Jay and starting a new chapter in my life.

In celebration of Womxn’s Herstory Month 2022, John Jay College students, faculty, and staff are acknowledging and showing their appreciation for some of the incredible women in our community. These “John Jay Heroines” play a pivotal role in our community’s success. They work hard to ensure that our students reach their academic and life goals. They unfailingly support their teams. And, they make it a priority to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone they encounter. In short, they’re an inspiration for everyone around them. 

Heroine: Carmen Leon, John Jay Children’s Center, Head Teacher

Nominator: Heath Brown, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Public Management

“Carmen Leon is a heroine and fierce champion for our littlest Bloodhounds. She cared for our six-month-old son when he couldn’t walk, talk, or do anything but smile and sleep,” says Brown. “By the time Carmen was done working with him, he was saying words, walking, painting with his fingers, and eating solid foods. He was developing, getting smarter, and growing strong. He’s four years old now and doing better than ever thanks to every moment Carmen spent with him. She’s done the same thing for so many parents at John Jay College, especially for our amazing student-parents, many whom couldn’t succeed without Carmen and her colleagues in the Children’s Center. She’s been doing this incredible work for decades. Carmen helped inspire me to become a better dad and for that our whole family celebrates her every day.”  

Heroine: Massiel Florentino ’20, John Jay College & APPLE Corps Alumna

Nominator: Claire Sternberg, Service-Learning Specialist at APPLE Corps  

“Massiel Florentino ’20 is one of the most dedicated and adept students I’ve ever worked with. While in APPLE Corps, she completed a service-learning position with the Women’s Prison Association and excelled. She went on to complete an internship with CORE Services and was eventually hired to continue her work with them. Massiel earned her degree, was a standout in all experiential learning opportunities she participated in, and established a strong network of colleagues and friends who root for her—and she did this all while being the parent of two kids,” says Sternberg. “What’s amazing is that since graduating John Jay, Massiel has chosen to return to the College and speak with our current APPLE Corps students about her experience with the program and at John Jay. She’s an exemplary example of what John Jay students can accomplish.”

Heroine: Juana Polanco, Administrative Manager at SEEK

Nominator: Monika L. Son, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Chair & Director at SEEK

“The SEEK Department would like to lift our praises and gratitude for Juana Polanco’s commitment and service. Juana is a living example and model of service. She takes joy in every aspect of her work, including the parts that can be frustrating or challenging for most,” says Son. “She supports everyone in the SEEK department, including our wonderful students, and will persist until she knows she has done everything in her power to help someone.” 

Heroine: Mindy Bockstein, Executive Director of External Affairs

Nominator: Cat Alves, Director of Athletics & Recreation Department

“I had the great fortune of sitting next to Mindy in 2013 at a professional development meeting when we had both just joined the John Jay community. I knew from our first interaction what an inspiration she was in terms of her career accomplishments, relationship building, thoughtful partnership, and generous spirit,” says Alves. “Over these past nine years, Mindy has proven to be an incredible mentor and friend. Not only does she bring leaders in public and private industries to campus, Mindy always finds a way to incorporate faculty and student voices into all she does. I’m so very grateful for her wise counsel and friendship.”

Heroine: Holly Davenport, Director, Instructional Design

Nominator: Judith Cahn, Ed.D., Director of the Department of Online Education and Support

“In an unassuming way, Holly is an exceptional leader. She’s worked with and gently guided hundreds of faculty members, one-on-one, to develop online courses that created the six fully online graduate programs John Jay offers,” says Cahn. “Through the challenges and uncertainties of the pandemic, she continued to manage the instructional design team, supporting the entire College’s pivot to online modality. She collaborated on the development of the award-winning Effective Practices in Online Teaching workshop that certified hundreds of faculty to teach online. Under Holly’s leadership, her staff provided College faculty with ongoing, high-quality support through countless webinars about effective online teaching. She has connected, supported, and empowered so many faculty members, which, in turn, impacts the students’ remote and online educational experiences. Holly’s intelligence and skill, interpersonal skills, and good humor make it a pleasure to partner with her.”

Heroine: Alana Philip, Honors Program Manager

Nominator: Raymond Patton, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History and Faculty Director of the Honors Program

“Alana Philip embodies the values of John Jay and the Honors Community. She brings an intellectual rigor and compassion to our community, holding her advisees to a high standard, showing understanding for the myriad challenges they face while also refusing to underestimate their potential,” says Patton. “She is a model of intellectually curiosity, striking out to familiarize herself with the latest research in a variety of disciplines and interdisciplinary fields, and always looking for the best practices across higher education. Besides shuffling between a variety of roles in Honors, off campus she is a dedicated parent and fierce advocate for educational equity. Somehow, she manages to find the time to do all of this work, balancing the needs of the John Jay and the Honors community with needs at home. Alana is an inspiration to us all.”

Heroine: Sandra Jeffers, Continuing & Professional Studies, Administrative Assistant

Nominator: Fern Chan, Director of Continuing & Professional Studies

“Every member of the Continuing and Professional Studies staff is thankful that Sandra is a part of our team. She is truly dependable and selfless with her willingness to render service to others,” says Chan. “Whether it’s coming in early to set up a classroom or staying late to make sure all the students’ needs are met, Sandra is a constant in our department keeping us on track. The ease at which she interacts with people and her positive demeanor when addressing the concerns of others is her superpower. Sandra's vast knowledge of our offerings and her ability to transition between programs and support the team’s work cannot be measured or understated. Sandra is the quiet force of nature that is a contributing factor to our department’s success.”

Heroine: Andrea Akinbola ’19, John Jay Alumna

Nominator: Natalie Jordan, Senior Academic Advisor, APPLE Corps

“I have known Andrea since 2015, when she came to John Jay as a freshman and a member of the APPLE Corps program. Through APPLE Corps, she took advantage of engaging in ethnographic research, community service, internships, and service learning,” says Jordan. “Andrea’s unwavering commitment to social justice, public service, and law were demonstrated in several ways while she was a student at John Jay. She volunteered with the Red Hook Community Justice Center, working with the Justice Center’s Youth Court program and then went on to become the President of the African Student Association, a Pinkerton Fellow, a member of the Ronald H. Brown Law School Prep program, an Innocence Project Fellow, and a Youth Mentor with the Center for Court Innovation, all within her undergraduate years. Fast forward to almost seven years later, Andrea is now in her final year at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University.”

Heroine: Sulema Ebrahim, Director Special Projects & Events, Strategic Initiatives, Marketing & Communications

Nominator: Brian Kerr, Ed.D., Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Affairs (EMSA)

“Sulema inspires me and several of my colleagues every day. She recently suffered the loss of two very close family members in a very short period and had every opportunity to put in her retirement papers and walk away, but she chose not to,” says Kerr. “She was committed to a promise she made to me, regarding seeing our commencement efforts through. I admire her resilience, intelligence, and can-do attitude. In the short time I’ve been at John Jay, I have learned so much from her. She is the ultimate EMSA historian and champion for our students’ success. I’m so happy to work with a colleague as knowledgeable and caring as Sulema.”

Heroine: Jehovahnie Saint Rose ’22, John Jay Honors Student 

Nominator: Oluwaseun Ogunwale ’22, John Jay Student, President of the Black Student Union

“As a senior at John Jay College, Jehovahnie strives to make the College a more inclusive environment for students of different religions and races. Currently, she works as a mentor in the Honors Program where she provides valuable information to her mentees and encourages them to apply and participate in many programs and opportunities the College has to offer,” says Ogunwale. “As a Vera Fellow she works to empower women dealing with violence by listening and providing safe options for them. Her work for the community is outstanding. The College is lucky to have her.” 

Heroine: Helen Cedeno, Director of Non-Tax Levy Budget and Adjunct Lecturer in Public Administration

Nominator: Mark Flower, Interim Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

“Helen Cedeno is such a valuable member of the John Jay community with over 30 years of dedicated service at the College. Her career at John Jay began in Public Safety as a College Assistant,” says Flower. “Then she continued to work her way up, eventually moving into the business office, all while working to earn a master’s degree in accounting and her CPA (Certified Public Accountant). Her tenacity to expand her skill set, better the work environment, and work with others is remarkable. She’s now responsible for an accounting team that manages all the non-tax levy budget operations and oversees all the external audit operations. She does this while also educating our students in her role as an Adjunct Lecturer in the Public Administration Department where she teaches accounting.”

Beyond Big Cities Initiative Releases New Guidebook

February 28, 2022 (New York, NY) - A new report on survivor-centered approaches to combat intimate partner violence (IPV) in smaller jurisdictions was published today by the Institute for Innovation in Prosecution (IIP). The report is the second in a series from the IIP’s Beyond Big Cities Initiative (BBCI), which seeks to connect prosecutors who serve small, often rural populations and who are committed to a criminal justice system rooted in fairness and equity.

Read the Guide on Intimate Partner Violence

Over ten million Americans experience IPV every year and survivors in small and rural jurisdictions face unique barriers to accessing justice, such as a lack of support services or an increased likelihood of physical isolation. This report highlights the work of BBCI members who have implemented innovative programs to overcome those challenges and reduce IPV in their communities.

“Prosecutors’ offices across the country are struggling to stop intimate partner violence. This report features real examples of successful programs specifically for prosecutors in communities where services and resources may be limited,” said Alissa Marque Heydari, Deputy Director of the IIP. “We hope it inspires prosecutors across the country to reimagine IPV prosecution and leads to a sharp decrease in this form of violence.”

The report includes a step-by-step guide for prosecutors interested in establishing Family Justice Centers, which provide wraparound services to victims of IPV. The checklist was created following BBCI meetings with the founders of Alliance for Hope International, a family justice center organization, as well as two BBCI members who have family justice centers in their communities.

“Family Justice Centers can be a key resource in providing services to survivors of IPV,” said Prosecuting Attorney and BBCI member Jon Tunheim, who helped start the Family Justice Center in Thurston County, WA in 2011. “This report should help prosecutors in small jurisdictions realize that developing a Family Justice Center is feasible and will be an unparalleled resource for survivors and the community as a whole.”

In addition to innovative programs for survivors, the report recommends new approaches to preventing people convicted of IPV from reoffending.

“IPV is pervasive in rural communities, where many victims are physically isolated and unable to access services,” said Professor of Law Maybell Romero, a member of the BBCI Advisory Board and co-author of the report. “For prosecutors to do their job fairly and effectively, they must prioritize trauma-informed evidence collection as well as treatment for those convicted of IPV.”

The first publication from the Beyond Big Cities Initiative, “Restorative Justice: A Best Practice Guide for Prosecutors in Smaller Jurisdictions,” was released in January.

About the Institute for Innovation in Prosecution at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (IIP)
The IIP provides a collaborative national platform that brings together prosecutors, policy experts, and the communities they serve to promote data-driven strategies, cutting-edge scholarship and innovative thinking. The IIP is dedicated to criminal justice that promotes community-centered standards of safety, fairness and dignity.

About the Beyond Big Cities Initiative
The Beyond Big Cities Initiative, with the support of Microsoft’s Justice Reform Initiative, seeks to engage jurisdictions with medium and small-sized offices, particularly in rural areas. The Initiative aims to include and uplift prosecutors in smaller jurisdictions who may lack the resources of big city offices but are not lacking in their commitment to justice and equity.

About John Jay College of Criminal Justice
An international leader in educating for justice, John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York is a Hispanic Serving Institution and Minority Serving Institution offering a rich liberal arts and professional studies curriculum to 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 135 nations. John Jay is home to faculty and research centers at the forefront of advancing criminal and social justice reform. In teaching, scholarship and research, the College engages the theme of justice and explores fundamental human desires for fairness, equality and the rule of law. For more information, visit www.jjay.cuny.edu and follow us on Twitter @JohnJayCollege. 

Jennifer Tamay ’22 has always wanted to help uplift immigrant families, so when Professor of Sociology Maria Volpe, Ph.D., told her about a virtual internship opportunity with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, she jumped at the chance—and it led to a job offer.

“The internship with Catholic Charities was the perfect opportunity for me to practice my dispute resolution skills, gain more experience in the legal profession, and really help immigrants,” says the International Criminal Justice major from Sunnyside, New York. “The organization works in many different areas and one of them is providing free legal services to immigrant and refugee families.”

For Tamay, who has a Dispute Resolution Certificate and hopes to become a lawyer, the internship was profoundly meaningful and personal. “I come from immigrant parents, so I understand the struggles and difficulties many immigrants face in the United States. From a very young age, I had a passion for working with immigrant families and I knew I wanted to have a career in the legal field so that I could help them thrive.”

Gaining Skills at John Jay
Tamay grew up not only determined to support the immigrant community, but she also knew exactly how she would help uplift the group. “My parents came to the United States from Ecuador and they had a lawyer who helped them with their paperwork. I was so fascinated by her and what she was doing to help them that I began asking her all these questions,” recalls Tamay. “She told me about her career path and how she had studied criminal justice and it gave me a sort of blueprint to follow in my own life. I did my research, looked at colleges that offered a criminal justice major, and that’s when I came across John Jay. Instantly, I felt it was the right college for me.” 

Not only was John Jay College’s focus on justice issues impressive to Tamay, she also loved the College’s diversity. “I knew that at John Jay I would meet classmates and professors, like Professor Volpe, who cared for underserved and underrepresented communities. And, I knew that they would share their experiences and knowledge with me, giving me insight on different communities, justice issues, the criminal justice field, and the law. I truly believe that John Jay College has put me on the path to making my legal professional dreams come true.”

Interning at Catholic Charities
At Catholic Charities Tamay was thrilled to see how inclusive, supportive, and welcoming everyone was. “From the start, my supervisors were so wonderfully motivating. They really encouraged me to ask questions and wanted to see me succeed. Also, the fact that they offered a virtual internship option was a complete blessing,” says the graduating senior. “It meant I could continue to go to John Jay full time, work a full-time job, and do the internship three days a week—all while truly giving my best in each role.”

During the internship, Tamay regularly engaged with lawyers at the organization, deepening her knowledge of immigration rights and the different processes the community encounters. “It was such a rewarding experience because I had the chance to learn so much about how the immigration system works. My supervisors, coworkers, and the legal professionals I worked with provided me all the information I needed to make the most of my experience and help these families,” she says. “I had the chance to work with immigrants and their families directly. I listened to their moving and at times heartbreaking stories. I learned why they came to the United States, and I heard about their fears and concerns. It felt good helping these families, informing them of their rights and options, and providing them with some guidance.”

Looking ahead, Tamay is excited that she can continue this life-changing work. Earlier this year, after three months as an intern, she proudly accepted a full-time position with Catholic Charities as a migration counselor, where she meets with clients, preps documents for different immigration cases, and performs weekly legal consultations. “Everyone at Catholic Charities loves their job. They enjoy helping people and do the best they can to help all the people they can. That’s always really inspiring for me because their passion for the work is clear and infectious. It’s a passion I share,” says Tamay.

“John Jay and Catholic Charities gave me an incredible opportunity to kick off my career right away through this internship. I’ll always be grateful to them for their guidance, support, and the chance to start off my post-John Jay life on the right foot. It’s a place that is filled with a lot of heart.”

Since 2015, New York City Police Department (NYPD) Detective Investigator and Hostage Negotiator Adrian S. Goodwin has been an Adjunct Professor in John Jay’s Department of Law, Police Science and Criminal Justice Administration.“Every year I contemplate whether this will be my last semester teaching. I’ve been pondering on that thought since 2016, after I gave birth to my twins,” says Goodwin. “But every semester, I always find new affirmations to continue educating because of the incredible encounters I have with students at John Jay. Being able to inspire students, our future law enforcement leaders, motivates me in countless ways.”

While juggling her work, classes, parenting twin girls, and being a wife to a former NYPD officer, Goodwin still finds time to mentor John Jay students hoping to become law enforcement officers. “One student emailed me after the semester was over and asked me to be her mentor. That touched my heart,” she says. “It’s the stories and relationships that I’ve built over the last seven years at the College that motivate me to balance being an active detective, wife, and mother. I’m a servant leader at heart. Just being able to be a resource to others makes me happy.”

Who or what inspired you to embark on a career in law enforcement?
I truly believe that law enforcement chose me. When I reconnected with a former classmate from the seventh grade, they remembered that I always talked about being a police officer. Now that I think about it, one of my favorite shows at that time was, and still is, Law in Order: Special Victims Unit. Back then, I was probably in class talking about how Mariska Hargitay solved a particular case. Look at me now, I’m a female detective with the greatest police department in the world.

What does a typical day look like for you on the job?
A typical day for me includes a morning prayer and properly preparing for my tour. Also, I make time to review current events. In today’s climate of policing and unfortunate strained community relationships, I believe that it’s my responsibility to go into work aware. As a negotiator, having a positive mindset daily is paramount to being effective should I receive a call to jump into action.

What is or was the most challenging aspect of your job? How did you overcome this?
My husband and I were both detectives in the NYPD until he retired in 2018. We both worked in demanding units. Christopher worked in Brooklyn North Narcotics and I worked at the Detective Squad in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where I investigated major crimes, such as assaults, robberies, grand larcenies, and shootings. We decided to start a family and that was met with some challenges. I discovered that I had fibroids, which ultimately led to undergoing a myomectomy surgical procedure in order to avoid complications should I become pregnant.

Time passed and I was having difficulties getting pregnant. This brought about more and more doctor visits and surgeries. Later, we explored IVF (in-vitro fertilization) treatments. I remember while being honored at a ceremony by my job, I had to hurry to the bathroom to prepare my scheduled injection. It was weird and awkward to have other people stare at me, but it was something I had to do. There is always a silver lining in our journeys in life, you just have to trust the process. We gave birth to healthy, vibrant, amazing twin girls. My journey to motherhood while working in law enforcement wasn’t easy as my husband and I navigated work schedules and family time, but I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.

What was the most rewarding aspect of your job?
In 2019, at the start of my tour, I was notified about an emotionally disturbed man who was barricaded inside his apartment with a firearm threatening to take his own life. As a hostage negotiator, I knew I was dealing with a delicate situation. Witnesses on the scene revealed that the barricaded individual had previously threatened his ex-wife with a gun. After six hours of deploying crisis communications tactics and establishing a rapport with the man, I was able to convince him to leave his apartment and surrender to the police without incident. He was subsequently escorted to the hospital for an evaluation.

Later, I was honored with the HOPE Award by the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention and the NYPD. I remember being so emotional when I received the phone call that I was being honored for saving someone’s life. I take my role as a hostage negotiator seriously because we are encountering people at the most vulnerable stages in their lives. We are there to lower emotion, demonstrate empathy, and build a rapport through active listening skills all in order to influence behavior and get them the help they need. The moment I saved the gentleman’s life was a reminder of why I took this job; it’s to help others.

What advice would you give to future law enforcement officers?
I know law enforcement has its challenges, especially in today’s times, but you have to follow your heart. Prior to entering a career in law enforcement, I was a second-grade teacher. My family was really surprised at my new career decision, and I had to alleviate their concerns as I embarked on a new career path. Their fears subsided, and my mom knew I made the right decision. As a first-generation law enforcement officer in my family, I had to navigate this new world alone at times. No matter what, you have to remain diligent and connect with people who inspire you. Policing is no walk in the park. It can be very stressful at times, because no two days are the same. I encourage future and all officers to create a balance in their lives and practice self-care.

What do you want the public to know about your job?
Police officers are humans too. We are moms, dads, daughters, sons, and even your neighbors. It can be the most difficult job at times, but the greatest reward is being sworn to protect and serve our community.