Pass student leaders

Hi, I’m Dariel, a senior at John Jay majoring in Forensic psychology. I enjoy topics centered around cognitive psychology and psychology within law enforcement. Some of my hobbies include watching anime/ TV shows, playing video games, and listening to music. (I'm a nerd when it comes to anime and video games, I can literally talk about it for hours.) I also enjoy hanging out with my friends and trying new things. Throughout my time in PASS, I was able to make friends and connections that helped me succeed. I hope to do the same and help other students majoring in psychology. I want to use the knowledge I acquired throughout my time at John Jay to help make other student's time here as easy as possible.

Hello! My name is Chelsea, and I’m a current PASS leader and senior at John Jay. I’m majoring in Forensic Psychology with a double minor in History and Law. After John Jay, I hope to get a master's in Speech-Language Pathology. When I'm not doing anything school-related, I work as a registered behavior technician at an ABA clinic! If I'm not working (I'm always working), I like to read and chill with my dog. Now that I make big girl money, I make it my mission to buy as many books as possible, even though they stack up while I finish reading my current books. If a book is really good, I’ll tell my dog about it even if he doesn't care! 

Hello! My name is Joshua Cedeno, I was born and raised in NYC and my family is from Cuba and Ecuador. Some of the things I like to do in my free time are play volleyball, go to the gym, hang out with friends, and explore different food spots. My favorite genres of music are Rap, R&B, and Salsa with my favorite artist being Brent Faiyaz. I enjoy talking about things that are passionate to me and love learning new interesting things from the new people I meet. Growing up, I have always gravitated towards psychology because of my interest in why people act the way they do or what could be influencing their thinking. My dream is to become a clinical psychologist and use those skills to help those who have been affected by the incarceration system in the United States. 

Hi! I’m Aleena, a BA/MA student in Forensic Psychology passionate about understanding how the legal system impacts vulnerable populations. As a PASS leader, I love supporting fellow students in their academic journey and fostering conversations about the intersection of law and mental health. My interests revolve around forensic assessment, children’s rights in the justice system, and advocating for fair treatment of individuals with disabilities. Outside of academics, you can usually find me curled up with a good book- whether it’s true crime, psychological thrillers, or a classic romance novel. Please reach out with book recommendations or any questions, I’d love to chat!

Hey, I'm Yexayra (Yes-ay-rah)  I am a forensic psychology major here at JJay. I love my major and hope to pursue a career in research or clinical psychology. Along the way I'm enjoying my classes, peers, college life and young woman life.  I'm a native New Yorker born to two lovely Dominican parents and a first generation college student. My college life consists of my classes of course! Working with my awesome P.A.S.S. peers and faculty members and research in the children and the law lab.   I would consider myself a bit of a realistic creative, experiencing the real world, loving music and being Inspired by the world around me. My favorite things to do are thrift clothes and antiques, hiking/ walking, travel and volunteer work.   I hope to share a chat with you at some of our events or on any of our platforms!

Mia is a Junior PASS leader from Syracuse, New York. She values PASS for its non-hierarchical structure, which fosters a supportive environment where all shared experiences are recognized as powerful. Through PASS, she has found a deep appreciation for connection-based peer support, which has helped her grow both personally and professionally. She enjoys collaborating with fellow students to create an inclusive space where everyone feels heard and valued. One of her proudest accomplishments was speaking at the Caldwell University Social Justice Symposium, where she co-presented Things We Wish Our Professors Knew. Mia is passionate about mental health and hopes to continue making a difference in people’s lives. After leaving John Jay College, she plans to attend graduate school to study mental health counseling. She dreams of traveling the world, learning from different cultures, and ultimately becoming a therapist dedicated to fostering healing and resilience. 

I’m a proud Mexican first-generation student majoring in Forensic Psychology, with minors in Sociology and Interdisciplinary Studies. I’m also a fierce advocate for the queer Latinx community. My ultimate goal? To earn a PsyD and become a cognitive psychologist specializing in youth injustice and clinical psychological trauma within the Latinx community. I’m deeply committed to helping juvenile youth navigate mental health challenges and find the support they need. One of my proudest accomplishments was being one of the first PASS leaders to host the Where Are They Now podcast for JJAY alumni. Through this experience, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with alumni who have faced the same academic challenges I have, and I’ve been able to maintain those relationships. I also had the incredible opportunity—alongside Mia and Aleena—to help expand the Peer Academic Support System, presenting to faculty and students at Caldwell University. My friends would describe me as reliable, emotionally driven, and a noxiphile; my parents would say I’m persistent, ambitious, and hardworking. Growing up as a first-gen student, I was instilled with the mentality that success was the only option—failure was never part of the plan. I’m a firm believer in self-care. It’s essential to pour into yourself the same love and care that we, as humans, are constantly searching for in others. I also believe that people create their own destinies while navigating the paths shaped by the opportunities they build for themselves. Life isn’t about waiting for things to happen—it’s about making them happen. And finally, I embrace instant gratification as a way to reward myself. Whether it’s for doing something that scares me, pushes me out of my comfort zone, or simply makes me happy, I celebrate the effort.