Diamond’s Path to St. Joe’s
For Diamond Campbell ‘26, her studies have always taken priority. As an international student hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, Campbell defines herself as a natural leader, one who is excited to discover what kind of future she can build for herself. Moving to the United States after graduating high school, she set her sights on St. Joseph’s University, New York’s Brooklyn Campus where she majored in Criminal Justice with in a minor in Psychology.
“I chose St. Joseph’s because of the small school size and how generous they were with their scholarship. I value being a part of a close-knit community where I can build meaningful connections with my professors and peers. I was able to do that throughout my four years at St. Joe’s,” Campbell said.
Not a single day of Campbell’s time at SJNY was wasted. When she wasn’t in class or studying, you may find Campbell on campus, taking on several leadership roles including president of the Campus Activities Board and vice president of the Law and Justice Society.
Looking Back on St. Joseph’s Mentorship
As a criminal justice major, Campbell looked to her professors as not only educators, but mentors who would have indelible impact on her journey moving forward.
“The professor who has had the greatest impact on me at is Dr. Joseph Pascarella. From my very first CJ class during my freshman year, he made a lasting impression by always supporting and including me in everything,” Campbell said. “Pascarella recognized my potential from early on, took me under his wing, guided me and encouraged me to make the most of every opportunity available to me. He invited me to many criminal justice events, award ceremonies and educational field trips to courts and correctional facilities.”
Core Memories
Classes, trips and student organizations weren’t the only places Campbell absorbed knowledge and experience, also interning for the New York City Department of Probation. There she worked for the Investigations and Trials Department, opening her eyes to all the career options a degree in criminal justice can offer.
However, one of Campbell’s favorite experiences came from working in the Office of Admissions, both as a tour guide and student ambassador.
“I had the opportunity to meet prospective students and their families and share my experiences at St. Joseph’s, which is rewarding because each time I give a tour and share my experiences, I am reminded how far I’ve come and how fast the four years went by,” she said.
Campbell continued, “What made this experience even more special was the sense of community within the office between students and also staff. We shared many memorable moments together like decorating the office for holidays, hosting end of year potlucks and celebrating birthdays each month. It truly felt like a second family and it made my time at SJNY more meaningful.”
Diamond’s Inspiration
Now, a world of opportunities is now open to Campbell, who is in pursuit of her next long-term goal: attending law school and becoming an attorney. In the meantime, she is on the lookout for a job that can both provide valuable experience while also putting her skills to good use.
While doing so, she’ll be thinking of her mother, who is both her inspiration and guiding light.
“It was always her dream for me to attend university and become a lawyer,” Campbell shared. “I believe she wanted that for me more than I wanted it for myself but unfortunately, God had other plans for her. My mom passed away six months before I migrated for university. She didn’t get to see me graduate high school and university or witness many of my milestones, but I know wherever she is, she is proudly watching over me. Every opportunity she got to tell me she was proud of me, she did exactly that, and it motivates me to keep going no matter what. Everything I do, I do it for her.”
And with Campbell set to cross the stage and receive her degree in a few weeks, she only has one piece of advice for future SJNY students.
Advice to Students
“The advice I would give to future students is to truly enjoy your time at university. As cliche as it sounds, it is true. The four years go by fast, so make the most of every opportunity. Get involved, volunteer, build connections and create a lot of memories because when it’s over, that chapter of your life is done,” she concluded.
This story is part of OnCampus’ “Class of 2026 – Meet the Grads” series, focusing on the Class of 2026 at St. Joseph’s University, New York. To read more from this series, click here.
