Shot of New York City skyline from campus

Discover New York

Faculty members develop DNY courses around the application of their own academic disciplines, employing these disciplines as the conceptual lenses to address the general framework defining DNY’s educational goals. As a result, students have the opportunity to “see” New York City through a particular academic perspective including those focused on the arts, business, social and political relationships, literature, and media in the city.

With a continual emphasis on critical thinking and information literacy skills as the primary pedagogy of learning, the city becomes the laboratory for the students’ application of the course focus. Moreover, with the course mandate for Academic Service-Learning, students experience the city as a place populated with “real people,” many of whom live in difficult situations and need assistance.

Student Affairs DNY

Student Affairs collaborates with the Institute for Core Studies administration and faculty to provide three out-of-class experiences for your DNY course. You will have the opportunity to learn about New York City through various perspectives (e.g., the arts, business, politics, religion) while exploring and enjoying the most exciting city in the world.

Some of the places you may have the opportunity to visit may include museums (e.g., Metropolitian Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum) live shows (e.g., Broadway), New York Stock Exchange, United Nations, the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, Ellis Island, the Statue of liberty, and many more.

As part of Discover New York, you will also have direct access to a DNY Peer Leader, current student who are extremely involved on campus. They go through an intensive selection process and are then assigned to each course to assist the faculty and to serve as a resource and familiar face during your transition to the St. Johns community.

For office hours and location, please visit University Career Services.

Become a DNY Peer Leader

Duration of Position

One full academic year (fall and spring semester). The position begins in the fall semester. You are able to reapply once your term has been completed

Primary Function

As a DNY Peer leader you will serve as a resource for the students in the DNY classes and assist the faculty with all out of the classroom experiences

Job Description

The goal of a DNY Peer Leader is to assist in making the DNY experience as memorable for the students as possible. You are required to support the DNY Student Coordinators and assigned faculty member, while serving as a mentor to the incoming freshmen. You are also required to attend all out of the classroom experiences, both on and off campus.

Qualifications

Must be a full time St. John’s University student in good academic (GPA 3.0 or better) and judicial standing
Must be responsible and an enthusiastic supporter of the DNY program and have a strong commitment to our University
Must possess effective verbal and communication skills
Must demonstrate ability to work well with individuals and groups in a leadership capacity

Application Process

The selection process for DNY Peer Leaders takes place each semester. Follow these steps to apply:

Complete an online application (application opens mid-October and mid-March)
Interview (applicants will be contacted about moving forward in the process)

Apply to be a DNY Peer Leader (link will be available mid-October and mid-March)

Contact Information

If you would like more information or have questions regarding the DNY Peer Leader program, please contact Joni O'Hagan at [email protected].

Our Program

Interested in becoming a DNY Peer Leader? Go to Discover New York and click "Become a Peer Leader."

Who Are Your Leaders?

Adrianne Munroe

Graduation Year: 2021
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
College: College of Professional Studies
Major: Communication Arts
Hometown (city, state): Bronx, NY
My favorite class at St. John's is: Drama
The key to success at St. John's is: Time Management
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: The great stairs
My favorite place in NYC is: Soho
A fun fact about me is: I am dancer and I love to write poetry.

Ainsley Sonnier

Graduation Year: 2021
Resident or Commuter: Resident
College: The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
Major: Management
Hometown (city, state): Baton Rouge, Louisiana
My favorite class at St. John's is: Scientific Inquiry: Botany
The key to success at St. John's is: Prioritizing & Balancing
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: Carnesseca Arena
My favorite place in NYC is: Central Park
A fun fact about me is: I love exploring/ traveling

Alejandro Martinez

Graduation Year: 2019
Resident or Commuter: Resident
College: The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
Major: Finance
Hometown (city, state): Bronx, NY
My favorite class at St. John's is: Management
The key to success at St. John's is: Time Management
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: The Gym
My favorite place in NYC is: Emilio’s Pizzeria in the Bronx
A fun fact about me is: I am number 7 out of 8 children in my family

Ashton Meertins

Graduation Year: 2019
Resident or Commuter: Resident
College: St. John’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Major: Psychology
Hometown (city, state): Lithonia, GA
My favorite class at St. John's is: Abnormal Psychology
The key to success at St. John's is: Connections & Relationships
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: Monties
My favorite place in NYC is: Monties
A fun fact about me is: I used to hate coffee but now I cannot go without you.

Aye Marie Conteh

Graduation Year: 2020
Resident or Commuter: Resident
College: College of Professional Studies
Major: Legal Studies
Minor: Criminal Justice
Hometown (city, state): London, England
My favorite class at St. John's is: Philosophy
The key to success at St. John's is: Getting Involved on campus/ Rate my professor
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: My Bedroom
My favorite place in NYC is: Queens Center Mall
A fun fact about me is: I love playing video games

Aynul Hossain

Graduation Year: 2020
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
College: College of Professional Studies
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Business Administration
Hometown (city, state): Brooklyn,NY
My favorite class at St. John's is: Business Law
The key to success at St. John's is: Time Management
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: The gym
My favorite place in NYC is: Martha’s Bakery
A fun fact about me is: I’ve lost over 70 pounds in the last few years.

Celeste Daniel

Graduation Year: 2020
Resident or Commuter: Resident
College: The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
Major: Accounting
Minor: Finance
Hometown (city, state): Trinidad & Tobago
My favorite class at St. John's is: DNY
The key to success at St. John's is: Networking and getting involved
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: The Market Place
My favorite place in NYC is: Williamsburg
A fun fact about me is: I have dog named Peanut

Ciara Warner

Graduation Year: 2021
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
College: College of Professional Studies
Major: Public Relations
Hometown (city, state): Hempstead, NY
My favorite class at St. John's is: Public Speaking/ First Year Writing
The key to success at St. John's is: Getting involved with something.
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: DAC Pool Tables
My favorite place in NYC is: Madison Square Garden
A fun fact about me is: I can say the alphabet backwards really fast.

Daniel Haynes

Graduation Year: 2020
Resident or Commuter: Resident
College: College of Professional Studies
Major: Journalism
Hometown (city, state): Georgetown, Guyana
My favorite class at St. John's is: Journalism
The key to success at St. John's is: Networking
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: D’Angelo 4th Floor ( The View)
My favorite place in NYC is: Brooklyn Bridge
A fun fact about me is: I’m half Surinamese.

Emelybel Vasquez

Graduation Year: 2019
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
College: College of Professional Studies
Major: Legal Studies
Minor: Philosophy
Hometown (city, state): Queens, NY
My favorite class at St. John's is: DNY
The key to success at St. John's is:
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: D’ Angelo Center Living Room
My favorite place in NYC is: Top of the Rock
A fun fact about me is: I love cooking & baking

Irene Gorosave

Graduation Year: 2020
Resident or Commuter: Resident
College: St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Major: Environmental Science/ Government & Politics
Minor: International Relations
Hometown (city, state): Imperial, CA
My favorite class at St. John's is: Principles of Sustainability
The key to success at St. John's is: To use the resources provided efficiently.
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: The greenhouse
My favorite place in NYC is: The Brooklyn Botanical Garden
A fun fact about me is: I run half marathons.

Jahlani Jackson

Graduation Year: 2021
Resident or Commuter: Resident
College: St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Major: Sociology
Hometown (city, state): Clinton, MD
My favorite class at St. John's is: Sociology: Race, Class and Gender
The key to success at St. John's is: To manage one’s time effectively.
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: My dorm
My favorite place in NYC is: Brookfield Place in Manhattan
A fun fact about me is: That I love to sing/ make music.

Jelani Christopher

Graduation Year: 2018
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
College: The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
Major: Economics
Minor: Social Justice, International Studies
Hometown (city, state): Port of Spain, Trinidad
My favorite class at St. John's is: Philiosophy 2200
The key to success at St. John's is: Time Management
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: Gym
My favorite place in NYC is: Times Sqaure
A fun fact about me is: I have studied abroad and I saw my favorite Manchester United play in their stadium

Jenna Shea

Graduation Year: 2020
Resident or Commuter: Resident
College: The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
Major: Risk Management and Insurance
Hometown (city, state): Wood Ridge, NJ
My favorite class at St. John's is: History 1000C
The key to success at St. John's is: Getting Involved
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: Bent Hall
My favorite place in NYC is: Battery Park
A fun fact about me is: I’m a Virgo.

Kortni Francis

Graduation Year: 2019
Resident or Commuter: Resident
College: St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Major: Speech Pathology
Minor: Spanish
Hometown (city, state): Poughkeepsie, NY
My favorite class at St. John's is: Liberation Theology
The key to success at St. John's is: Networking
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: DAC 213
My favorite place in NYC is: The Bronx
A fun fact about me is: My birthday is halloween

Leslie Martinez

Graduation Year: 2021
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
College: College of Professional Studies
Major: Legal Studies
Minor: N/A
Hometown (city, state): Bronx, NY
My favorite class at St. John's is: Legal Research and Writing
The key to success at St. John's is: Time Management
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: The seating area behind Bent Hall
My favorite place in NYC is: Chinatown/ Little Italy
A fun fact about me is: I used to be a dancer.

Maggie Moore

Graduation Year: 2019
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
College: St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Major: History
Minor: Spanish & Theology
Hometown (city, state): Freeport, NY
My favorite class at St. John's is: History Classes
The key to success at St. John's is: Time Management & Planning
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: Skyline by St. Vincent Hall
My favorite place in NYC is: Highline
A fun fact about me is: I was born in Ireland

Mary Serene Carino

Graduation Year: 2019
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
College: St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Major: Government and Politics
Minor: Economics
Hometown (city, state): Jamaica,NY
My favorite class at St. John's is: History
The key to success at St. John's is: getting involved in something you’re passionate about.
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: Highest Point in Queens Overlook.
My favorite place in NYC is: Long Island City
A fun fact about me is: I hold dual citizenship for the Philippines and the United States.

Monique Vaz

Graduation Year: 2021
Resident or Commuter: Resident
College: College of Professional Studies
Major: Legal Studies
Minor: N/A
Hometown (city, state): Coral Springs, Florida
My favorite class at St. John's is: Philosophy
The key to success at St. John's is: Time Management
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: Great Lawn
My favorite place in NYC is: The Highline
A fun fact about me is: I have a freckle on the back of my eye.

Moriah Banks

Graduation Year: 2023
Resident or Commuter: Resident
College: College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Major: Pharmacy
Hometown (city, state): Atlanta, GA
My favorite class at St. John's is: Calculus
The key to success at St. John's is: Time Management
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: D’Angelo Center
My favorite place in NYC is: Times Sqaure
A fun fact about me is: I crochet blankets & scarfs.

Nathonya Chery

Graduation Year: 2019/2020
Resident or Commuter: Resident
College: School of Education
Major: Childhood Education, History Concentration
Hometown (city, state): Rosewell, Georgia
My favorite class at St. John's is: DNY
The key to success at St. John's is: Hardwork
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: D’Angelo Center
My favorite place in NYC is: The water at night
A fun fact about me is: I speak 2 other languages.

Nicole Duran

Graduation Year: 2020
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
College: College of Professional Studies
Major: Legal Studies
Minor: Psychology
Hometown (city, state): Woodside, NY
My favorite class at St. John's is: Christian Marriage
The key to success at St. John's is: Time Management
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: Third floor of the Library.
My favorite place in NYC is: Brooklyn Bridge
A fun fact about me is: I write with my right hand but my left hand is my dominant hand.

Paul Kotnik

Graduation Year: 2021
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
College: College of Professional Studies
Major: Cyber Security
Minor: Homeland Security
Hometown (city, state): Glendale, NY
My favorite class at St. John's is: Homeland Security
The key to success at St. John's is: Organization
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: Tafner Field House
My favorite place in NYC is: Madison Sqaure Garden
A fun fact about me is: I love to play golf.

Ryan Fredericks

Graduation Year: 2020
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
College: College of Professional Studies
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Business Administration
Hometown (city, state): Flushing, NY
My favorite class at St. John's is: Accounting
The key to success at St. John's is: Communicating with others.
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: D’Angelo Center
My favorite place in NYC is: Williamsburg
A fun fact about me is: I speak Japanese.

Sarah Birkhoff

Graduation Year: 2019
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
College: College of Professional Studies
Major: Legal Studies
Minor: Forensics
Hometown (city, state): West Islip,NY
My favorite class at St. John's is: Criminal Justice
The key to success at St. John's is: Confidence
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: DAC 213
My favorite place in NYC is: Soho
A fun fact about me is: I play an instrument.

Sean Akene

Graduation Year: 2019
Resident or Commuter: Resident
College: Peter J. Tobin College of Business
Major: Marketing
Hometown (city, state): Bethesda, Maryland
My favorite class at St. John's is: Business Law
The key to success at St. John's is: Stay Focused
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: D’Angelo Center
My favorite place in NYC is: Soho
A fun fact about me is: I speak 3 languages.

Stephanie Gonzalez

Graduation Year: 2021
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
College: The School of Education
Major: Childhood Education ( 1-6)
Minor: N/A
Hometown (city, state): Rego Park, NY
My favorite class at St. John's is: Education 1000
The key to success at St. John's is: To work hard and put yourself out there.
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: D’Angelo Center
My favorite place in NYC is: The Highline
A fun fact about me is: My favorite color is pink.

Thomas Moore

Graduation Year: 2020
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
College: St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Major: Biology
Hometown (city, state): Middle Village, NY
My favorite class at St. John's is: Physiology
The key to success at St. John's is: To get involved.
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: Monties
My favorite place in NYC is: Brooklyn Bridge
A fun fact about me is: I know how to juggle.

Thomas Scarabino

Graduation Year: 2021
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
College: St. John’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Major: History
Hometown (city, state): Queens, NY
My favorite class at St. John's is: Public Speaking
The key to success at St. John's is: Going out of your comfort zone.
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: The Library
My favorite place in NYC is: The Highline Park
A fun fact about me is: I am a singer.

Tyler Finn

Graduation Year: 2020
Resident or Commuter: Resident
College: The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
Major: Economics
Minor: International Studies
Hometown (city, state): North Brandford, CT
My favorite class at St. John's is: History
The key to success at St. John's is: Organization
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: DAC Living Room
My favorite place in NYC is: Central Park
A fun fact about me is: I enjoy snowboarding.

Vanessa Jiminez

Graduation Year: 2020
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
College: Peter J. Tobin College of Business
Major: International Management
Hometown (city, state): Uniondale, NY
My favorite class at St. John's is: Italian
The key to success at St. John's is: Consistency
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: Belson Stadium
My favorite place in NYC is: Soho
A fun fact about me is: I can speak 3 language.

Wasim Mustafa

Graduation Year: 2021
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
College: College of Professional Studies
Major: Cyber Security Systems
Hometown (city, state): Queens Village, NY
My favorite class at St. John's is: Cyber Security Systems
The key to success at St. John's is: Findings balance between studying and fun.
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: D’Angelo Center
My favorite place in NYC is: Central Park
A fun fact about me is: I enjoying camping.

Zaria Jack

Graduation Year: 2021
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
College: The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
Major: Accounting
Minor: N/A
Hometown (city, state): Port of Spain, Trinidad &Tobago
My favorite class at St. John's is: Accounting/ Philosophy
The key to success at St. John's is: Networking, Getting Involved, Time Management
My favorite place on the SJU campus is: Great Lawn
My favorite place in NYC is: Anywhere with good food/ Soho
A fun fact about me is: I’m a Capricorn who loves ice cream.