Adrian Vazquez ’27 Deepens His Passion for Criminal Justice, Law and Leadership at Iona University
New Rochelle, N.Y. – From debating global policies in Model United Nations to preparing for a career in law through diverse internships, Adrian Vazquez ’27 has found his fit at Iona University by blending his passion for advocacy, justice and leadership.
With a major in criminal justice and a minor in sociology, Vazquez is deeply engaged in exploring the evolving nature of law and justice.
“Criminal justice is an ever-changing field,” said the Yonkers, N.Y., native. “Studying substantive criminal law and procedural law has shown me how the legal system adapts based on judicial interpretation, and I love the challenge of applying broader legal principles to specific cases. The process feels like putting together a puzzle, with careful time and attention.”
Beyond the classroom, Vazquez has immersed himself in practical experiences that fuel his career ambitions, including several notable internships. For instance, he has interned with the Westchester County Department of Probation, where he shadowed probation officers and observed compliance meetings in Mental Health Court and Veterans Court.
Additionally, he interned with Witness to Mass Incarceration, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering formerly incarcerated individuals through entrepreneurship. There, he researched and compiled a national directory of businesses owned by formerly incarcerated people.
“I enjoyed learning about the stories behind each formerly incarcerated entrepreneur and the resilience they displayed once released,” he said. “I credit my experience with Witness to Mass Incarceration as formative for my interest in alternatives to incarceration and studying how recidivism and the criminal justice system are related.”
At Iona, Vazquez has honed his leadership skills across multiple student organizations, which have helped him find his community and sense of belonging on campus. He serves as Co-President of the Model United Nations Club, a member of the Mock Trial Team, and is actively involved in Student Government, The Ionian Newspaper, The Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO Club) and the Criminal Justic Club, among others.
Vazquez attributes his success at Iona to the mentorship of faculty, saying “every professor I’ve had – especially in the criminal justice and political science departments – made a positive impact on my future and me personally.”
Looking ahead, Vazquez plans to earn his master’s in criminal justice at Iona through the 4+1 program before pursuing law school.
“Iona has prepared me for law school by teaching me how to be disciplined in my pursuits, fight passionately for what I believe in and to always seize the initiative,” he said. “I want my law degree to give me not just a good salary, but also a sense of personal fulfillment.”
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.