Confetti falls as “Empire State of Mind” by JAY-Z echoes through the air. Graduates rise, waving to see their loved ones, as years of work culminate into a few seconds, under the bright lights of Barclays Center.

Behind the music, applause, and celebration is the (STP).

Finalizing the commencement ceremony is only half of the office’s work. STP helps graduates cross the stage and welcomes thousands of new students during orientation each year.

The Assistant Director of Student Transition Programs Alyssa Hollywood discussed the office’s primary objective, which is to support students throughout their entire academic journey at John Jay College.

“From New Student Orientation to Commencement with events, programs, and opportunities in between, we just want to help students enjoy their time here,” said Hollywood. 

In addition to overseeing new student orientation and the commencement ceremony, the office hosts graduation-related events, such as graduation fairs and graduate salutes.

STP additionally serves as a resource for students who are navigating deadlines, guest tickets, and ceremony details.

For many students, orientation is their first introduction to John Jay College.

At orientation, students are placed into small groups led by trained orientation leaders, where they participate in workshops, discussions, and activities.

Over the years, STP has adjusted orientation programming to focus more intentionally on creating a sense of belonging, since a majority of John Jay College students are first-generation. 

The workshops held at orientation introduce students to John Jay College’s values while creating space for conversation about inclusivity and respect, according to Hollywood.

For Rebecca Adamo, a first-year transfer student majoring in forensic psychology, the experience was more interactive than she expected.

“I thought the experience would consist of one informational session with an introduction to all the services offered and a tour of the building,” said Adamo.

Instead, Adamo found herself in a small group of other transfer students participating in icebreakers and games.

“After a couple icebreakers and a couple questions of John Jay Jeopardy, the group really started to warm up to each other,” said Adamo. 

Adamo acknowledged she felt somewhat disconnected during the beginning of orientation and that the orientation leaders helped ease her feelings of uncertainty.

“They [the orientation leaders] didn’t treat it as just their job but rather as an opportunity for them to provide help and care to people like myself who were feeling a bit uneasy,” said Adamo. 

By the end of the day, Adamo said she felt reassured in her decision to transfer. 

Justin Hamilton, a senior majoring in law and society, who is a two-year orientation leader, explained students often arrive reserved but gradually open up.

“As you get into it, they feel more comfortable. They take off their jackets a little bit more, and they start expressing themselves,” said Hamilton.

Hamilton said that orientation helps accomplish the goal of making those who visit John Jay College feel welcome. 

While orientation leaders work directly with students during orientation sessions, much of the preparation happens behind the scenes with peer ambassadors.

Peer ambassadors are experienced student leaders who work in the STP office throughout the academic year.

Peer Ambassador Joshua Hall, a senior majoring in human services and community justice, said that during commencement season, STP becomes a central resource for graduating seniors navigating final details.

“It’s really being that first initial line of questioning for students to go through,” he said. “Everyone has been asking when’s the ceremony? I’m flying people out, How can I get my yearbook? Where do I take my photos? Caps and gowns, stoles, all that stuff,” said Hall.

The support that STP provides became crucial for Kymberley Smith, a senior majoring in English, who grew concerned when she learned that she might not be able to walk at commencement after receiving emails about payment deadlines.

“They were super, super helpful in terms of clarifying the financial issue that I was going through at the moment,” said Smith.

As the class of 2026 prepares to celebrate on June 1, another group of students will soon enter orientation sessions for the fall semester. 

For the staff in STP, watching students cross the stage is more than a ceremonial moment, since the staff’s work continues as they guide students through both their first hellos and their final goodbyes.

“Something we said or gave them or the connection that they got from orientation helped them to there,” said Hollywood.