Starting college is an exciting time in anyone’s life. As our first-year students begin to take classes, participate in events, and join different student groups, we, the John Jay community, want them to feel welcomed, supported, and valued. Our First-Year Focus series will serve as a virtual introduction to some of the newest members of our John Jay family. As you’ll see throughout the series, these students are exceptionally talented, creative, and driven to change the world for the better. Enjoy getting to know them.

During the last four months, Private First Class Janelle McKoy ’22, a Criminal Justice Management major, has been on a Covid-19 mission with the U.S. Army National Guard. “We’re up in Rochester, New York at a Covid-19 testing site and see about 700 people a day. Our job is to keep things running smoothly, by getting the people who are driving through to the testing area as quickly as possible,” says McKoy, recognizing that the job is more than just traffic control. “What I often find myself doing is providing people with support, clarity, and comfort. They’re scared and I usually get asked questions about Covid-19, the testing, what the swab feels like, and what the timeframe is to get their results. Since I’ve already been tested five times, I can help provide that information so that they feel at ease.” When she’s not bringing calm to Rochester residents, McKoy is paving her path to law school by immersing herself in her John Jay education. She’s bringing her laptop to the testing site and taking classes while on break with her fellow servicemen and women. “When I lived in the Bronx, I was able to see how unfair the legal system could be firsthand. It can be slow to bring justice to people of color. I want to become a lawyer to help diversify the bar and change the legal system for the better. I want to make a difference. I know a John Jay education can help me make my law career dreams come true.” We chatted with McKoy to learn about her upbringing, her passion for the law, and her goals for the future.

Tell us a little bit about your life. What was life like before John Jay?
I was born in Kingston, Jamaica and moved to the Bronx, New York, when I was 16 years old. I moved to Connecticut about two years ago. I actually applied to John Jay during my senior year in high school but didn’t get accepted, so I went to SUNY Buffalo State College and then transferred to John Jay this year. It was while I was in Buffalo that I joined the Army National Guard. They help you with so many things, like school, home loans, medical, dental and mental health care. And, there are so many immigrants serving in the U.S. military and we’re putting in the work, the effort and commitment for this country. It was a beautiful thing to see such diversity. I am so glad I joined.

You’re working with the National Guard at a Covid-19 testing site. What part of your job makes you most proud?
I love helping people and making them feel comfortable and at ease during this time. Everyone is nervous when they arrive and calming those fears makes me feel good, especially when it’s a kid. I like being their support system, so they don’t lose their heads when they see the big swab coming toward them.

What was it about John Jay that drew you to the College?
I wanted to come to John Jay because I wanted to go to an institution that could give me not only the best criminal justice education, but also the resources, work experience, internships, and networking opportunities to succeed in the criminal justice field and legal profession. I also wanted to come to a school that had a diverse community that works to uplift one another. From the Black Student Union to the immigrant community on campus, to the drive to achieve justice for all. It’s exciting to be a student at John Jay and I can’t wait to see how I grow as a student and person.

Do you have any concerns for the fall semester and starting your John Jay journey in the distance-learning model?
At first, I was a bit skeptical about learning in a virtual environment, but I quickly realized that I could make it work for me. The flexibility of online learning means I can do all my assignments and re-watch lectures when I get home. I need the quiet space to really concentrate. I take my laptop, notebooks, and pens with me to work when I have to been in a class at a certain time during the day. Some of my colleagues are also in school and we keep each other motivated. When I’m on a break, I’ll check in on them and see how they’re handling the workload. We definitely look out for each other.   

You have a strong passion for the legal profession. Where does that come from?
I’ve wanted to go to law school since I was a little girl. While I was in high school, I was able to attend All Rise at Columbia Law School’s High School Law Institute. It’s a program where students get a closer look at the legal profession. They take classes and do mock trials. While I was there, I noticed that out of the hundreds of students, only four were Black. I remember feeling so uncomfortable and thinking, This isn’t my habitat. I shouldn’t be here. I feel weird. But as the program went on, I fell in love with it, with the profession, and realized that the legal profession was exactly where I needed to be. The staff was so supportive. My hope is to go to Columbia Law School for my law degree.

After you earn your law degree, where do you see yourself?
I hope to still be in the military working as a criminal investigator. If you look at the recent murder of Vanessa Guillen, you realize how prevalent sexual harassment, sexual assault and violence can be in the military. Vanessa and I went to the same AIT (Advanced Individual Training) and had the same job as a weapon specialist; we’re the same age and have the same rank. I felt her loss deep in my soul. I hope her family can get justice. I’d also love to be working at a law firm that focuses on cases of social injustices, corporate law, and business law. I want to help make a difference in people’s lives, one person at a time.