Majors and Minors: Double majors Criminal Justice and Latino and Caribbean Studies/ minor Women's and Gender Studies
Year: 2020
How did you decide on your major?
Since middle school I wanted to become a prosecutor because I always knew I wanted to make a difference and help innocent people. So I figured Criminal Justice was the way to go because I would learn about the system that I want to fix. Then I chose my Latino and Caribbean Studies major because I wanted to learn more about my own history and found the classes were extremely interesting.
What is it about your chosen field (and the department) that appeals to you?
What I found so appealing about both my major departments is that both have professors and staff that not only are well informed and very knowledge about what they teach but they also work(ed) in the field that they are teaching and provide plenty of real life examples. This is especially true about the Criminal Justice Department. Of the three professors I have had, one is an ex police officer and current lawyer, another is retired corrections officer, and my last is a sociologist that has studied and worked with the system and advocated against the injustices our criminal justice system creates and perpetuates.
Do you have a favorite class/professor within you major?
This isn't fair because I love all my major professors so far. Within the Criminal Justice Department, Professor Donnelly and Professor Carr are some of the best professors I have ever had. It is great to hear Professor Donnelly's stories from his time on the force. Professor Carr also has great tangents that are always interesting and is always willing to slow down and explain anything that may be difficult to understand. Within the Latino and Carribean Studies Department, Professor Decena, Professor Martínez-San Miguel, and Professor Alonso-Bejarano. These five professors have made an impact on my life in the two years I’ve been at Rutgers and hope to take many more classes with them.
What are your favorite academic experiences outside of your major?
My favorite academic experiences outside of my majors have been having the opportunity to see both Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton speak at Rutgers. It was incredible to see them in person and be so close to them and hear all the inspiring and interesting things they had to say about the current state of our nation.
What are your other Rutgers activities?
Besides academics I will be serving as secretary of the Criminal Justice Organization for the 2018-2019 academic year. I am also a sitter for the Rutgers University Seeing Eye Puppy Raising Club.
What are your plans following graduation?
I am not completely sure but I am considering taking a year or two off and getting experience in the public interest sector in a non-profit organization and then going to law school and hopefully working in a law firm with a great pro bono department.
