Transfer and Now Graduate Student
Pursuing Dream of Legal Career
“When I first stepped onto the Queens campus, I immediately felt at
peace. I knew I had found my next home — and that St. John’s was
where I belonged.” replied Melissa Hernandez ‘11CPS, ’12MPS
when asked why she chose St. John’s University.
Melissa transferred to St. John’s University after completing her
freshman year at a local Miami, FL. college. Since she is by nature
very future-oriented in her thinking, Melissa decided to switch to
a college in New York City to increase her marketability as well as
her chances of getting into a top law school. After researching the
criminal justice programs in the area, she decided to apply to
St. John’s.
“It was superior academically and offered outstanding internship
options,” pronounced Melissa who was also drawn by the University’s
renowned networking resources — including its strong track record
of alumni support, and the faculty’s hands-on experience in the
field. “Being able to get this kind of insight from your professors
is invaluable,”
St. John’s academic and extracurricular benefits are a perfect fit
for the ambitious, hard-working and driven transfer student. In
fact, not only did she earn her undergraduate degree in criminal
justice with honors (she graduated summa cum laude), but also, she
is now pursuing a Master
in Criminal Justice Leadership (M.P.S.). By the time she
graduates in May 2012, Melissa will have earned two law-related
degrees.
“I am finding the MPS program phenomenal,” she said. “We analyze
case histories of influential New Yorkers to learn which qualities
helped them become leaders. We are also encouraged to look more
closely at our own strengths and weaknesses and tweak our
individual leadership styles. There’s not a day that goes by that I
am not learning about and improving
myself.”
Melissa is very grateful to St. John’s for affording her so many
chances to grow and realize her potential. Motivated as well by her
deep-seated commitment to give back to the community, Melissa has
served as president of the
Criminal Justice Association, president of the
College of Professional Studies (CPS) Honor Society and is now
president and executive board member of the
Graduate Student Association.
Along the way, she has also found time to do community service in
Camden, NJ, (where she was born) and in Philadelphia, PA. Melissa
landed two outside jobs in the medical benefits industry by taking
advantage of St. John’s networking
contacts.
The highlight of her undergraduate career was her junior-year
internship in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office. “Working
there was like ingesting a daily energy drink,” she proclaimed.
“The work was stimulating and rewarding and I was able to form
important networking relationships and friendships.
Her internship experience also definitely confirmed that her
lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer was on target and she realized
she wanted to become a prosecuting attorney.
Melissa’s passion for the law started in the third grade when she
was almost left back through no fault of her own. Armed with
knowledge of the legal system, her mother challenged the decision
and the issue was resolved in her daughter’s favor. From that
moment, Melissa said she knew she would eventually use the law to
fight for others who had been discriminated against and needed
legal help to be treated equitably.
Looking ahead, she plans on getting into a top-tier law school and
then opening her own law firm. ”I am just starting to hit my
stride,” says Melissa.
“I have no doubt that Melissa will achieve whatever she sets out to
do,” declared
Antoinette Collarini-Schlossberg, Ph.D., Associate Professor of
Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, who got to know Melissa
intimately when she was CJA President.
“She was an exceptional undergraduate and is continuing to stand
out as a graduate student,” said Dr. Collarini-Schlossberg. “In
addition, Melissa has made a difference by supporting other
students in their leadership efforts. I know she will have a
distinguished life and career and will contribute to the well-being
of our society.”