Major: B.S. in Computer Science & Information Security
Mentors: Alana Philip, Derek Casarrubias; Christopher Church
Programs: PRISM, Honors, Women in Cybersecurity, CUNY Computer Science Collective, Black Honors Student Committee
Internships/Fellowships: Black Girls Code, NYPD
Hometown: Dominica; Bronx, New York
Career Aspiration: User Interface Designer; Digital Forensic Analyst

What was life like before John Jay?
I was born and raised in Dominica and grew up proudly celebrating my Kalinago (indigenous people of Dominica) side. My mom was a single mother raising me and my sister. She was also the teacher in our town, so everyone knew us. My favorite memories from Dominica are being surrounded by friends and family and hanging out down by the river. We would gather there and just celebrate life.

When I was four years old, we came to live in the Bronx and moved in with my grandmother, uncle, and aunt. We all lived in a small, cramped apartment, but it was a home filled with love, family, and a determination to succeed. Education was always a top priority. Since mom couldn’t transfer her teaching degree and license, she had to start over. She went to a CUNY community college before moving on to a senior college for her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. My aunt, who lived with us, is also a product of a CUNY education, earning both her bachelor’s degree and doctorate from CUNY schools. Seeing how CUNY made it possible for my mom and aunt to get an education—and go on to become a teacher and doctor—made me want to attend a CUNY college. I saw with my own eyes how the support you get as a CUNY student enables you to achieve your dreams. We wouldn’t be where we are without our CUNY education.

Why John Jay?
I initially wanted to work in law enforcement, so John Jay was always on my radar. One of the things I loved most about the College was its diversity—not only racial, religious, and ethnic diversity but also in what it offered its students in terms of its justice-focused education. When selecting a college, I wanted to pick one where the college community was inclusive and supportive. I wanted a place where different cultures and backgrounds are celebrated. And, I wanted to be at an institution where I could learn about the common good, how to be of service to your community, and how to uplift others, no matter what career path you take. I immediately felt all those things at John Jay.

How has the Honors Program contributed to your John Jay journey?
Being in Honors has pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me more confident. Like many new college students, I initially suffered from imposter syndrome and was really struggling to come out of my shell. But with help from my Honors mentor, Ms. Alana Philip, I feel empowered to speak up, ask questions, share what I’m thinking or going through, and connect with others. It was actually Ms. Philip who saw my potential in tech before I did. She knew I loved creating—dabbling in design, animation, and videography from time to time—and suggested I keep an open mind when pursuing internship and fellowship opportunities. She said I reminded her of John Jay Honors alumna Aaliyah John ’22, who turned her internship in tech into a wonderful career. That boost in confidence has been really encouraging.

What sparked your passion for computer science, coding, and tech?
From a young age, I was fascinated by computers. I remember one time my computer broke down because my software was taking up too much memory. I was so upset because I needed to finish my homework. So, I looked up YouTube videos on my phone, trying to find a way to get the computer up and running again. After hours of watching videos and testing things out, I fixed my computer. It was such a fun experience. I realized how much I enjoyed the process of working to figure out the system. I also have an uncle who works in cybersecurity for the NYPD, and he introduced me to criminal justice and computer forensics. I was intrigued by the idea that technology can help people get justice.

Why did you apply to the fellowship with Black Girls Code and what has your experience been like?
I love learning, and coding is like learning a new language. To envision something in your head and see that vision come to life on a screen because of a code you created is such an amazing feeling. I had followed Black Girls Code for a while and loved their work and mission. I took one of their courses in coding and building a website for social innovation, and it was such a great experience. It got me excited to explore the world of coding further. When I learned Black Girls Code was doing a fellowship in association with CodePath, a nonprofit that offers tech courses and career support to underserved student populations, I knew I had to apply.

With Black Girls Code, I’m learning HTML and CSS and how each coding language has a different purpose. I’m also gaining resume-building skills—a technical resume is so different from a typical resume—and learning more about user interface design. That’s actually what I’m focusing on right now, building projects, such as the “screens” a user sees. I’m also starting to work on my portfolio online, building my own website, showcasing the projects I’ve worked on, learning how to answer code-related questions, and gaining an understanding of the industry.

How have John Jay’s cybersecurity groups helped shape your career plans?
CUNY and John Jay do an excellent job of creating inclusive spaces where students of all backgrounds can find community and thrive. Being part of Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) at John Jay and the CUNY Computer Science Collective, I have found a community of incredible people who are willing to share their knowledge, encourage you to pursue opportunities and push you to keep going even when something doesn’t work out. With WiCyS in particular, I’m surrounded by inspiring John Jay students and alumnae, like WiCyS president Anisa Rose Montalvo ’24, ’26, who have helped me build my skills and shown me how to turn passion into a career.

STEM fields, especially computer science, cybersecurity, and coding, don’t have a lot of women or people of color working in them. I want to contribute to diversifying the field and paving the way for others. With the motivation I get while in these groups and at John Jay, CUNY, and Black Girls Code, I know my dreams of working in the tech world will become a reality.

What advice do you have for your fellow John Jay peers?
No matter how challenging things get, please never give up on accomplishing your goals. I was recently diagnosed with PNES (psychogenic nonepileptic seizures)—basically, I get full-body epileptic seizures whenever I’m in a heightened mood (experiencing high levels of anxiety or depression). At times, I’ve wanted to drop out of school because I felt it was too much—the work and the seizures—and that I couldn’t do it. But I realized that with patience and a belief in myself, I can overcome anything that comes my way. So, I want my peers to feel motivated and to never give up.