This year’s Research & Creativity week (April 30 – May 4) is set to have some of John Jay’s most talented students present their latest innovations, research projects and portfolios.

One of the highly anticipated presentations comes from Joseph Mahmud (’18), who is creating an app that helps formerly incarcerated individuals find jobs. “My team members and I want to increase social equity by creating an app for iPhones and Androids that helps people with criminal records find and connect with future employers,” says Mahmud. “It’ll be similar to a LinkedIn or Jopwell, but with companies open to and looking to hire this demographic to increase their diversity and make a social impact.”  

Mahmud, a Public Policy and Administration major, and his fellow team members, Steven Pacheco, a CUNY B.A. major, and Donauta Watson-Starcevic, an English major, are the inaugural fellows of the Ron Moelis Social Innovation Fellowship, and they’re in the process of submitting their app plans to the Echoing Green Social Impact Challenge competition. “It’s great having a team with diverse backgrounds,” says Mahmud, “because we all bring different perspectives to the project.”  

Being a Pinkerton Fellow at The Legal Aid Society and working with the Prisoner Reentry Institute (PRI) has shown Mahmud the gaps formerly incarcerated individuals face when reaching for a second chance at success. “With my Human Resources concentration, I’m hoping to open the doors to different human resource organizations,” says Mahmud. “I’d like to help companies understand if their hiring polices are out-of-date, or if they’re indirectly detrimental to society.”

After graduation Mahmud is planning on getting his master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration through John Jay’s MPA program. But before graduation, he’s primed and ready to wow his fellow students, faculty, staff and visitors with his app presentation on May 3 during Research & Creativity Week.

Check the Research & Creativity Week calendar for a full listing of events.