Year graduated from BCC: 2013
Year graduated from John Jay College: 2016
Major at John Jay College: BA/MA Forensic Psychology
Current Job: Sergeant, MTA Police Department

I immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic at the age of 13. In 2010, I graduated from George Washington High School in Washington Heights, where I lived with my mother and two brothers. After high school, I faced challenges with my English language skills, which were not at the college level. As a result, I was referred to the CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP) to enhance my academic English. After completing one year in the CLIP program and witnessing improvements in my writing, I was recommended for the CUNY Start program, where I took English and Math classes for one semester.

While in the CUNY Start program, I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Crystal Rodriguez, who spoke to us about the Criminal Justice Program at Bronx Community College. From a young age, I aspired to become a police officer, and at 18, I began volunteering as an auxiliary officer with the NYPD in the 34th Precinct.

In 2011, I started my studies in Criminal Justice and became the vice president of the Criminal Justice Students Club, where Dr. Rodriguez assisted us with museum events, volunteer opportunities, and campus activities. My high academic performance at BCC can be attributed to my engagement with the numerous resources available on campus, including tutoring services, professors’ office hours, and participation in student events. During my time at BCC, I was selected for the America Needs You (ANY) program, designed for first-generation college students, which paired me with a mentor I worked with closely for two years and attended professional development meetings.

In 2013, I graduated from Bronx Community College and transitioned to John Jay College, where I changed my major to Forensic Psychology. In my second semester at John Jay, I was selected for the Ronald E. McNair Scholar’s Program and the Bachelor and Master in Forensic Psychology program (BA/MA). Those programs are very competitive and require a high-grade point average along with strong recommendation letters from professors. Additionally, I joined the NYPD Cadet Program, a paid internship for students aspiring to join the NYPD after college.

In 2016, I graduated with both degrees and became a NYPD officer. In 2018, I transitioned to the MTA Police Department, where I currently work as a sergeant in the Training Unit. My future goal is to become an adjunct professor and a mentor to young people.

Advice to current BCC students:
I encourage you to prioritize participation in the resources your campus offers to advance your professional development, such as honor societies, clubs, writing centers, math centers, and professors’ office hours. Engaging in campus events is crucial, as you may discover valuable opportunities that are not always communicated through emails. Also building a positive relationship with your professors is valuable as most honor programs and/ or scholarships required letters of recommendation from your professors.