Success Stories

CCPS-Produced Student Film Receives Attention at Several Film Festivals

Ready, a short film directed by St. John’s University alumna Abigail Dell’Orto, has garnered rave reviews at various international film festivals throughout the last year.

Alice Cubillos-Hall ’90SVC, ’92SVC

Alice Cubillos-Hall ’90SVC, ’92SVC was 16 when she discovered her passion for law enforcement while working as a high school student intern in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

Anna Guyadeen-Jadonath

When St. John’s graduate student Anna Guyadeen-Jadonath prepared to fly home for a visit to her beloved Barbados in February, she packed items typically not earmarked for a tropical vacation: 500 children’s books, jammed inside two huge suitcases.

Carvens Lissaint ’14CPS

Taking to the stage eight times weekly at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, Carvens Lissaint ’14CPS plays George Washington in the international smash hit Hamilton. It was only a few years ago that he was pursuing his Bachelor of Science degree in Dramatic Arts, Film and Television at St. John’s University.

Howie Schwab ’82SVC

Known by millions as simply, “The Schwab,” St. John’s University alumnus and FOX Sports personality Howie Schwab ’82SVC has spent most of his adult life enjoying something he could only dream of as a child—a gratifying career in sports media.

Katie Honan '07CPS

It was Katie Honan ’07CPS who broke the story for The Wall Street Journal that the biggest Internet retailer in the world was coming to Long Island City in Queens, NY.

Shannon Luibrand ’14CPS

Shannon Luibrand ’14CPS can trace a direct path from her days as a journalism major at St. John’s University to her current position at CBS News, producing stories for CBS This Morning, the network’s award-winning, national morning show.

Liz Faublas ’91SVC

Reflecting upon her two decades-long career in the largest media market in the country, Liz Faublas ’91SVC credits St. John’s for teaching her the “art of communication.” The Brooklyn, NY, native is the solo anchor of Currents News, a half-hour evening news broadcast dedicated to reporting from the perspective of the Catholic faith.

Rick Jefferson '83SVC

Sitting in his well-appointed midtown Manhattan office at CBS News, Rick Jefferson ’83SVC is surrounded by a treasure trove of historic memorabilia from virtually every major news event spanning the last 30 years, including Republican and Democratic National Conventions, presidential inaugurations, Super Bowls, and Space Shuttle launches. “Not bad for an inner-city kid from the Bronx,” Mr. Jefferson noted.

Kevin Kaulfers ’09CPS, ’11MPS

As a freshman in the College of Professional Studies (CPS), Kevin Kaulfers thought he had his career path planned. However, the advice he received as a Criminal Justice major opened his eyes to a wider array of opportunities in the field.

Michael Kyriakides ’16MPS

When two jetliners crashed into the Twin Towers on the morning of September 11, 2001, Michael Kyriakides was with fellow police officers at a training session in Bronx, NY. He and his colleagues headed for Manhattan.

Tahir Boykins, J.D. ’12CPS

By the time he entered high school, Tahir Boykins, J.D., had good reason to believe he was headed for a career in law. “I was a tenacious arguer,” he recalled. “I would put together all of these examples to defend what I was saying. My parents kept saying, ‘you think like an attorney.’ They turned out to be right.”