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.

Keiana Miller ’24, an Economics major, is deeply proud of her Jamaican roots and draws strength from her culture. “Jamaicans are some of the hardest working people you’ll ever meet and that work ethic is a big part of who I am today,” she says. Moving to the U.S. just six years ago, Miller excelled throughout her high school years taking part in model United Nations and the international baccalaureate program. Now at John Jay, she’s hoping to continue on that path of success. “My goal is to eventually enter the legal profession where I can spearhead change in society. I believe in justice, which to me means fairness and equality for all, no matter your race, your gender or your sexual orientation,” says Miller, explaining how her Jamaican roots inspire her views of the world and what’s possible. “In Jamaica, we have a phrase that when translated means ‘no matter how small you are, the problem is not bigger than you.’ That phrase embodies who I am. It’s about being determined, being ambitious, and never shying away from any challenge. I know that my legacy is to help make this country fairer, equal, and united. Attending John Jay is the first step to making this happen.” We sat down with Miller to learn more about her road to John Jay and her hopes for the future.

Tell us about your transition from living in Jamaica to living in New York. What were some of your first impressions of the U.S.?
I moved to Brooklyn with my mom and sister about six years ago. I can still remember the night when we flew into JFK airport. It was 33 degrees outside and all I had was a light sweater to keep me warm. My dad stayed behind in Jamaica, so mom had to take on multiple jobs to take care of myself and my sister. That was really tough on my family and it transformed us in so many ways. It forced me to grow up very quickly. Living in the U.S., I was able to see the country for what it is. You know, in other countries, the U.S. is seen as this idyllic place where everything is perfect, everyone gets along, and anyone can achieve their dreams. But it’s very much a country where a lot of change needs to happen. There are a lot of injustices and inequities, especially in communities of color.

What was it about John Jay that drew you to the College?
Living in New York, you hear things like “If you want to work in law enforcement, go to John Jay. You want to be a lawyer? Go to John Jay.” The College is synonymous with justice and I’ve always been very driven by justice, so I knew it was where I had to go. Looking at the world we live in right now, it’s clear the relationship between law enforcement and communities need work. Building a relationship between an educational institution like John Jay, its students, their learning, and law enforcement can help bridge that gap. John Jay is the only school that offered me that perspective.

Tell us about your goals for the future. You’re majoring in Economics, what do you hope to do with the degree?
I’m majoring in Economics with the goal of pursuing a career in law one day. Ultimately, I want to take what I learn from being an Economics major, go to law school, become a lawyer, and help change public policy. I want to help combat systemic racism in the legal system and get justice for people of color. The U.S. is a country in progress and it still has a lot of work to do in terms of granting basic civil rights. I want to be part of that change.

Starting off as a first-year student in a distance-learning environment, what concerns do you have?
I have a fear of the unknown. I know it sounds silly, but when I reflect on my high school experience, the last two years were planned out for me. I knew exactly what classes I would be taking, I knew how many essays I had to do in advance, and to some degree, I could even anticipate how stressful all of my classes were going to be. Now, I have no clue and while it’s frightening, it’s also thrilling. I know it will be challenging but it’s only going to make me a better student.

For you, what are some of the positive aspects to a distance-learning model?
The distance-learning model has given me a lot of opportunity to really reflect on myself, my journey, and how I perform as a student. I’ve taken time to organize myself and my classes, and really take the initiative to stay motivated to perform well. I’ve converted a corner in my living room into my classroom area. I’ve ordered a bunch of stuff to help me stay organized, including a huge calendar where I write out my class schedule. I’ve set boundaries so my family knows when I’m doing school work, they can’t bother me. And, I’m improving my time management skills. In College, and in a distance-learning model, it’s up to you to get the work done. This is all on me, so I’m trying to stay on top of everything as much as possible.

What are you looking forward to most during your first year as a John Jay student?
I’m really looking forward to getting to know people at John Jay, learning from wonderful professors, and building relationships with my classmates. I’d love to join the Black Student Union as well. And, I’m excited to see my growth as a student and the improvement of my time management skills, organization skills, and my advocacy skills. But most of all, I’m looking forward to one day returning to the classroom. I’m a bit of a social butterfly and love being around people. I can’t wait to be in a John Jay classroom with my peers.