MAKING AN IMPACT -Naisha Garris
By Tommy Reynolds
Naisha Garris, the Administrative Coordinator at John Jay College’s Office of Accessibility Services, is a role model of perseverance and volunteerism. Beginning in 1998 as a student at John Jay, Naisha has had a strong association with the college in a variety of ways. As a forensic science major, Naisha tackled one of the toughest majors John Jay offers. A determined and motivated student, she was part of a work study program for two years before beginning a family, after which she spent the next 11 years completing her degree, while working part-time in Human Resources.
After graduating in 2014, Naisha left John Jay care to take care of a family situation before returning to John Jay in the Fall of 2018 in a full-time role in the Office of Accessibility Services. Towards the end of her first year, a colleague who was involved with the Image Impact programs, introduced her to the charity. After her colleague left John Jay at the end of the Spring 2019 semester, Naisha was asked to lead John Jay’s involvement with Image Impact.
“I spoke with my supervisor, and she said, ‘I see you have done some fine work with Image Impact. I would like you to take over the program. Are you interested? I happily accepted as I already had a good relationship and rapport with students who were in the program.”
When asked to step up, Naisha didn’t hesitate. During the Spring of 2021 she recruited students for Image Impact meetings and events, kept them informed of what Image Impact was offering, and took attendance. In order to receive a $250 scholarship upon completion of the program, student attendance is required at six of the eight sessions. As with many things in life that come upon us unexpectedly, Naisha has enjoyed working with the students and the Image Impact representatives. She has gotten a lot out of her involvement and feels as if she has made a significant contribution to the lives of the students who have benefited from the events and session offered by Image Impact.
“Being involved with Image Impact has been satisfying on a personal level,” Naisha said. “It has also helped keep me current on disability reform.”
Her follow up surveys to the students has generated valuable feedback, including that a number of students have found the advice they received during the Image Impact Mentoring 4 Impact program to be extremely useful once they entered the workforce.
After graduating in 2014, Naisha left John Jay care to take care of a family situation before returning to John Jay in the Fall of 2018 in a full-time role in the Office of Accessibility Services. Towards the end of her first year, a colleague who was involved with the Image Impact programs, introduced her to the charity. After her colleague left John Jay at the end of the Spring 2019 semester, Naisha was asked to lead John Jay’s involvement with Image Impact.
“I spoke with my supervisor, and she said, ‘I see you have done some fine work with Image Impact. I would like you to take over the program. Are you interested? I happily accepted as I already had a good relationship and rapport with students who were in the program.”
When asked to step up, Naisha didn’t hesitate. During the Spring of 2021 she recruited students for Image Impact meetings and events, kept them informed of what Image Impact was offering, and took attendance. In order to receive a $250 scholarship upon completion of the program, student attendance is required at six of the eight sessions. As with many things in life that come upon us unexpectedly, Naisha has enjoyed working with the students and the Image Impact representatives. She has gotten a lot out of her involvement and feels as if she has made a significant contribution to the lives of the students who have benefited from the events and session offered by Image Impact.
“Being involved with Image Impact has been satisfying on a personal level,” Naisha said. “It has also helped keep me current on disability reform.”
Her follow up surveys to the students has generated valuable feedback, including that a number of students have found the advice they received during the Image Impact Mentoring 4 Impact program to be extremely useful once they entered the workforce.