Ayodele Adeyanju is a senior at John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a major in Political Science and a minors in English, and Latin American and Latina/o Studies. One of his most recent internship placement is the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. His interests to pursue a legal career stems from his passion to read and write and from his mother who encouraged him to become a lawyer from a young age. Additionally his personal experiences with stop and frisk policies inspire him to defend people who are left voiceless. He is a participant of the Ronald H. Brown Law School Prep Program, the best of participating in this program is meeting the unique and aspiring lawyers from places in and outside New York and continuing to build relationships with these wonderful people. His areas of interest include criminal law, legal writing, and corporate law.
Christina Alicea
Criminal Justice
Christina Alicea is a senior at John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Latin American and Latino/a Studies. In the fall of 2017 she was an intern for the Honorable Francois Rivera at the Kings County Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department. Now, for the Spring 2018 semester she is an intern for the Honorable Sallie Manzanet-Daniels at the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department. She became interest in studying law because her need to advocate has inspired her to pursue a legal education. She wants to provide a voice for marginalized communities and make sure their rights are protected. She participated in the University of Houston Law Center Pre- Law Pipeline Program over the summer of 2017. The best part of participating in the program is the personalized support and guidance each fellow receives. By becoming fellow of the program she gained a team of mentors that pushed her to excel in everything she does. Some of her areas of interest include Human Rights Law, International Law, Constitutional Law, and Public Interest Law.
Shanisha Forbes
Political Science
Shanisha Forbes is a senior at John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a major in Political Science and a minor in Psychology. Her most recent internship placement is at the New York State Attorney General in the Harlem Regional Office. She was inspired to pursue a legal career by her family history. She was first introduced to the criminal justice system at a young age because of her fathers incarceration. She believes he was wrongfully convicted due to ineffective counsel and it has pained her to not be able to help her father. Since then, she has always wanted to defend others the way she could not defend him. She participated in the University of Houston Law Center Pre- Law Pipeline Program over the summer of 2017. The best part of participating in the program is the overall support received. Once you join this family, it is as if you never have to worry about being alone when it comes to anything law school related, or even undergrad academically related. Professor Roure, Gabriela, and Professor Morin are there with you the whole way through the tough process of getting into law schools, internships and etc. Some of her area of interest include Criminal Law, Civil Rights Law, Public Law, and Family and Juvenile Law.
Santos Garcia
Political Science & Latin American and Latina/o Studies
Santos Garcia is a sophomore at John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a double major in Political Science and Latin American and Latina/o Studies. His most current internship placement is at the Queens’s County Civil Court with Judge John Lansden. He was inspired to pursue law because the law provides a platform to represent my Latino/a community in the immigration field and advocate for their rights. During the summer of 2017 he participated in the Ronald H. Brown Law School Prep Program. The best part for being in the program is the ability to network with law firms filled with lawyers who were willing to nurture him as well as meeting key speakers who inspired him to continue purusing law with their great work. His areas of interest include public service, which includes immigration law and civil rights law.
Melanie Monroy
Law and Society
Melanie Monroy is currently culminating her undergraduate degree at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY. Her major is Law and Society, with minors in Philosophy and Latin American and Latin American and Latina/o Studies. Currently, she is in intern for the Honorable Francois Rivera and works with the Lutheran Social Services. Her interest to pursue the legal profession stems from being a Guatemalan, first-generation student. She has extensively witnessed how the disparity in the criminal justice system has affected the South Bronx, where she was born and raised. She hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the legal profession, and build a sense of community with other individuals with a similar goal orientation. Ultimately, she aspires to advocate against human rights violations and shape policy.
Maria Negrete
Latin American and Latina/o Studies
Maria Negrete is currently a senior at John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a major in Latin American and Latina/o Studies and a double minor in Art & Human Rights. She is currently a researcher and work study student for Dr. Isabel Martinez in the Latin American and Latina/o Studies Department at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Maria aspires to earn a Masters Degree in Social Work. She is inspired to pursue this degree because she wants to provide marginalized communities with critical support on an individual level. Some of Maria's most recent experiences include being the President of John Jay College's La Voz Newsletter Club, a member of the 2016-2017 CUNY Cultural Corp. and a member of the 2015-2016 CUNY Service Corps. She has enjoyed the real-world experiences that these various programs have provided her.
Magdalena Oropeza
Criminology & Latin American and Latina/o Studies
Magdalena Oropeza is a senior at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY with a double major in Criminology and Latin American & Latina/o Studies. She is a graduate of the Ronald H. Brown Law School Prep Program at St. John's University School of Law and aspires to pursue a Juris Doctorate after she graduates. She has recently begun a judicial internship with the Honorable Judge Francois Rivera, at the Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term. Her previous experiences include working at Safe Horizon Immigration Law Project with undocumented survivors of domestic violence, and the Unaccompanied Latin American Minor Project by providing academic, social and legal support to recently arrived immigrant minors in deportation proceedings. Some of her areas of interest include human rights law, immigration law, and humanitarian relief work.
Nathaly Ramirez
Forensic Psychology & Latin American and Latino/a Studies
Nathaly Ramirez is a student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY, where she majors in Latin American and Latina/o Studies and Forensic Psychology. She is a graduate of the University of Houston Pre-Law Pipeline Program at the University of Houston Law Center. Currently, she interns at the New York State Office of the Attorney General, Harlem Regional Office, where she mediates consumer fraud complaints and assists attorneys in filing litigation cases, drafting memos and subpoenas. Her latest project includes informing New Yorkers about General Business Law Article 28-C, which discusses the use and roles Immigrant Assistance Services. Her previous experiences include serving recently arrived unaccompanied minors in removal proceedings at the Unaccompanied Latin American Minor Project, as well as educating undocumented minors and children of undocumented immigrants from Pan American International High School about paths to higher education. Upon graduating, she will attend law school, where she hopes to pursue immigration and public interest law. She aspires to assist in the mobilization of marginalized communities around the world.
Geormary Sanchez
Philosophy
Geormary Aurenil Sanchezis a Philosophy major and double minor in Latin American and Latina/o, with Honors, and Economics. She has participated in a couple of study abroad programs which have helped her realize the effects of the lack of legal representation on low socio-economic communities. Additionally the participation in these programs have enlightened her on the mistreatment of women and various human rights violation. Her areas of interest are in Human Rights, Civil Rights, International Law, and Immigration Law. As an aspiring attorney, she will work to make an impact on the lives of marginalized communities around the world.
Jessica Tiburcio
Economics & Philosophy
Jessica Tiburcio is a graduating senior at John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a double major in Economics, B.A. and Philosophy, B.S. As a graduating Ronald H. Brown Law School Preparatory Fellow at St. John's University School of Law, she is currently deciding which law school to attend this upcoming 2018 fall semester. Her experiences extend to serving as the Project Associate for the From Punishment to Public Health Initiative and a co-facilitator of the Teen Re-imagining Art, Community and Environment program, a program dedicated to improving New York City’s current academic practices with "at-risk" youth. Her former experiences include interning at the Brooklyn Criminal Supreme Court for the Honorable Judge Joanne Quinones and at the New York State Appellate Division alongside the Honorable Judge Sallie Manzanet-Daniels. As a prospective law school student, Ms. Tiburcio aims at advocating for marginalized groups that seek representation, equity in humanitarian crises, and socioeconomic justice.
Froylan Vaquero
International Criminal Justice
Froylan Vaquero is a senior at John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a major in International Criminal Justice and a minor in Latin American and Latina/o Studies. He has wanted to become an immigration attorney from a young age and now as an undergraduate student he is one step closer to reaching his goal. He was born and raised in New York City, by amazing parents who immigrated from Mexico when they were young. He had firsthand experiences of the injustices and discrimination immigrants face when he was younger. He wants to be one of the many lawyers who are willing to help the undocumented community. His most recent internship experience is as a Constituent Liaison at the Office of Assemblyman Brian Barnwell.
Sabino Vargas
Philosophy
Sabino Vargas is an alumni of John Jay College of Criminal Justice, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with a minor in Latin American and Latina/o Studies. His most current internship was at the First Judicial Department Supreme Court with Judge Sallie Manzanet-Daniels. He became interested in study law by bearing witness to egregious injustices and grave forms of inequalities encouraged him to be a voice for underrepresented groups in society. Becoming an attorney grants him the opportunity to serve as an exemplar to other ethnic and racial minorities growing up in deteriorating social conditions. Sabino is a Ronald H. Brown Law School Prep Program Fellow. Being among the few selected to receive such excellent guidance and preparation for the journey of law school was the greatest part of the program for him. The guidance for intellectual and personal growth was vital to him as he prepared for the law school admission process. His areas of interest include include Civil Rights Law and Public Policy.