Military Branch: U.S. Coast Guard
Rank: Petty Officer, Second Class (PO2)
Degree: B.A. in International Criminal Justice
Programs: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Program
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Career Aspiration: Counterterrorism Specialist

What was life like before John Jay?
I grew up in Tucson, Arizona. I experienced very hot summers, so swimming became one of my favorite things to do. I was always educationally driven and knew I wanted to go to college in New York City. I always felt like I was destined to immerse myself in the world—and what better place to experience the world and get an education than the greatest melting pot in the country, New York City?

Why John Jay?
In high school, I had a criminal justice teacher who was a retired NYPD officer and he spoke highly of John Jay. When I saw that John Jay was so diverse and had an international criminal justice program, I decided I wanted to go there.

What sparked your interest in joining the U.S. Coast Guard?
Both my grandad and dad were in the U.S. Army, so you can say that being in the military runs in the family. When I first came to John Jay, I wanted to join the FBI. After speaking with recruiters, I learned that having law enforcement or military experience would help me achieve that dream. As I learned more about the Coast Guard and its mission, how it’s part of the Department of Defense and Homeland Security, and the kind of work done by the branch—like maritime security, drug interdictions, and preventing human smuggling—I knew it was the right branch for me.

Then I took a maritime security class with Professor Susan Pickman, Ph.D., who introduced me to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Program, which was a perfect entry into the Coast Guard. The program gave me a deeper understanding of the branch, and through it, I gained incredible leadership skills that I could apply in the field. I was able to get training, work with different units, collaborate with the maritime security and safety team in New York, and learn what good leadership looks like.

How did your John Jay education prepare you for your current role?
I took a lot of transnational crime courses and international criminal justice courses where I learned about how drugs, people, and weapons are smuggled into the country through our waterways system. I also gained an understanding of the organizations that give smugglers their orders. Those lessons help me a lot in my day-to-day work.

What does a typical day on the job look like for you?
Normally, I’d be involved in search and rescue operations and conduct basic boardings—that’s when we go on board a vessel, talk to the master of the vessel, and search the boat if needed. I’m currently stationed in the (Persian) Gulf and we’re augmented through the Navy. We’re doing boardings, preventing weapons smuggling, and escorting vessels.

What is your favorite thing about being in the U.S. Coast Guard?
One of the best things is how much I can travel. I’ve experienced many cool cities and countries, such as West Palm Beach, Charleston, Mexico, the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Portugal, and Dubai. I also love performing search and rescue operations. It’s a privilege to be able to help people when they’re in a horrible—and likely worst possible—situation.

What was your proudest moment?
My proudest moment has to be when I became a pursuit coxswain. Earning the chance to not only drive the boat but also oversee the mission, make calls during an operation—such as stopping a non-compliant vessel at sea—and keep the crew safe has been an incredible achievement. There are not many women in this type of leadership role, so to be able to do this work is such an honor.

What advice would you give military service members or veterans considering John Jay?
Do it! Military service members and veterans have an incredible community at the College. The Military and Veterans Service Center is top-notch. Beyond its incredible network of support, the College offers a wide array of majors that enhance a servicemember’s or veteran’s skillset and expand their understanding of their field.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I will have earned my master’s degree in military operations with a concentration in national security and hopefully be working in a three-letter agency, like Homeland Security Investigations. I’d love to work in their exploitation unit or their counterterrorism program and build on my work in the U.S. Coast Guard and at John Jay.