When Gianna Landrum—a senior who will attend law school this coming fall—first started her journey at St. Thomas Aquinas College, she instantly felt the connection to her peers and professors. After graduating from Suffern High School in Rockland County, NY, Gianna knew that St. Thomas Aquinas provided a supportive, close-knit environment that would allow her to focus on her studies.
Studying Criminal Justice with a minor in Forensic Psychology, Gianna thrived in the classroom and off-campus during her internship with the Rockland County District Attorney’s office. “I was an intern in the Special Victims Unit (SVU) over the summer, and could also attend court cases, all while learning about family law,” she said. “In the future, after graduating with my Juris Doctorate degree with a concentration in Family Law, I will advocate for children who need it most.”
Outside of the classroom, Gianna is an active member of the campus community. She is President of the Criminal Justice Club, a member of the Social Justice & Equity Forum, and the Cheer Captain for the Spartan Athletic teams. Gianna has also been interning and working alongside the Admissions team for three semesters, assisting with social media initiatives, gaining knowledge in the office setting, networking, attending Open Houses to meet with prospective students and families, and more. Gianna says, “As a Student Ambassador, I love connecting with students and families at events like Open House. I get to speak with them in a peer-to-peer way and tell them about my incredible experiences at the College firsthand.”
Lorraine Derwin, Associate Director of Admissions for Recruitment notes: “Gianna is a kind, caring, compassionate, and extraordinary worker. I am so happy to have had the privilege of working with her in the Office of Admissions. I can’t wait to see what she does next.”
Gianna’s advice for future Spartans? “Do as much as you can and stay involved!”