The pandemic may have altered classroom settings for the Fall 2020 semester, but it hasn’t changed our resolve to uplift and welcome our newest students to the John Jay College community. During a four-week period over the course of the summer, a reimagined version of John Jay’s Early Start program has helped ease the transition to the College for 140 incoming first-year students, familiarizing them with the College coursework and preparing them for a distance-learning model this fall. Founded in 2010 by Kate Szur, Senior Director of Student Academic Success Programs (SASP) and Tim McCormack, Associate Professor and Director of the Vertical Writing Program, Early Start’s goal is to give first-year students an advantage by letting them concentrate on a required English or Math course over the summer. They’re given the opportunity to meet their classmates and peer success coaches before the fall semester begins, and accelerate their academic progress. “Early Start students enjoy support from a team of caring and talented faculty members, peer success coaches, tutors, and staff,” says Nancy Yang, Associate Director for First Year Programs, SASP, and a steadfast champion of our students. “Through the Early Start program students develop skills that are crucial for continued college success and supports them in making long-lasting connections with the John Jay community.”
“Through the Early Start program students develop skills that are crucial for continued college success and supports them in making long-lasting connections with the John Jay community.” —Nancy Yang
From daily conversations with peers, to setting goals for their entire college careers, students in this summer’s virtual Early Start program were fully engaged, cared for, and supported from the start. To learn more about the program’s impact, we asked students to share their thoughts on Early Start, how the program helped them feel connected to the John Jay community and in what ways did it help ease their transition into College.
“Before Early Start I felt like I wasn’t really connecting with people, but through the program that isolation has gone away.” —Skylynn Guzman
Skylynn Guzman
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Major: Criminology
The pandemic made me feel rather isolated. Before Early Start I felt like I wasn’t really connecting with people, but through the program that isolation has gone away. Everyone in Early Start made me feel like I was there in class, in person. The professor, peer success coaches, and tutors were always there for me, making sure I felt like I belonged and that I was doing my absolute best in class. When I first started the program, life was kind of hectic for me. I was also working a lot of shifts, and that was causing me to fall behind in class. But with the help of the tutoring sessions and peer success coaches, I was able to thrive. The Early Start team is filled with many amazing people who see the potential in everyone and help you perform your best.
Chelsea Edwards
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Major: Criminal Justice
As an incoming freshman, I’m juggling a lot of things. I have my school work, I have to take care of household chores, and I also take care of my father who is a diabetic and suffers from back issues. At times it’s a struggle, but I know I’ll be fine, and that’s due to my time in Early Start. It really boosted my confidence. The Early Start Peer Success Coaches, professors, and other staff members treated me with kindness and respect and that allowed me to take charge of my education and hold myself accountable at all times.
“Many people say that when you reach college, you’re on your own, but with the Early Start program at John Jay it doesn’t feel that way.” —Kevin Cabrera
Kevin Cabrera
Hometown: Jackson Heights, Queens, NY
Major: Forensic Psychology
As a first-year student I had many concerns and worries, especially when it came to learning in a distance-learning environment. But those worries all went away the moment I began the Early Start program. Everyone at the program was so welcoming and supportive, and that’s really made my transition into college a very easy process. They made Zoom and every other platform so easy to use. I had constant support from my professor and my peer success coach. Now, I am ready for whatever comes my way when the fall semester begins. Many people say that when you reach college, you’re on your own, but with the Early Start program at John Jay it doesn’t feel that way.
“I’m still living in Honolulu and having class Monday through Thursday at 2 a.m. Hawai’i time. It’s tough, but completely worth it.” —Ciomara Dominguez
Ciomara Dominguez
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawai’i
Major: Political Science
The Early Start program made me feel more connected to my peers at John Jay because of how often we virtually saw each other over the course of the program. I’m still living in Honolulu and having class Monday through Thursday at 2 a.m. Hawai’i time. It’s tough, but completely worth it. Early Start gave me a chance to meet new people, make friends in my major, and bond with peers over our struggles in math and our excitement to start College in the fall. My favorite part of the Early Start program was working with my peer success coach. She genuinely cared for everyone in the class, and always encouraged us to participate and try our best. Because of Early Start and the support of my peer success coach, I feel confident and ready to start college this fall.
“Not only has this program given me an ‘early start’ in terms of my college career but it’s also given me a chance to create bonds and experiences that I will cherish for the next four years at John Jay.” —Alize Ruiz
Alize Ruiz
Hometown: Bronx, New York
Major: Forensic Psychology
I can proudly say that Early Start was the best thing I could’ve done for my academic career. The SASP Peer Team and the professors made us feel like family since day one, which was very reassuring for me and my fellow classmates. My favorite aspect of the program was the daily peer success coach crunches. That’s where we would start off the day with a discussion or activity. It got us ready and energized for class and gave us a chance to get to know our classmates. That created a sense of unity, as we talked casually with one another, completely forgetting the computer screens that separated us. Not only has this program given me an “early start” in terms of my college career but it’s also given me a chance to create bonds and experiences that I will cherish for the next four years at John Jay.
Madison Lansinger
Hometown: New Tripoli, Pennsylvania
Major: Forensic Psychology
Early Start gave me a sneak preview of college life and I’m so grateful for the program. It gave me the resources to prepare me for a real college course at John Jay. The workshops conducted by peer success coaches gave me fantastic insight on how to be the best college student I can be. They taught me email etiquette, help me set goals, and provided other useful tools and tips for my success. My favorite part of the Early Start program was the interactivity of the course. Our professors, peer success coaches, and tutors, were genuinely supportive and helpful throughout the course and in our transition to college life.
