Iona University Alumna Lissette Fernández ’97 Recognized by the Peekskill Herald as One of the City’s Heroes
The Honorable Lissette G. Fernández ’97 was recently recognized by the Peekskill Herald for her philanthropic work as a judge at Peekskill City Court, where she presides over a multitude of criminal and civil cases. In 2020, she made history by becoming the first Latina judge appointed to the court.
Fernández is also an immigration attorney and founder of the Law Office of Lissette G. Fernández, which is the only bilingual and biliterate immigration law office in Peekskill. She dedicates her life to making a difference for immigrants because she herself is a naturalized United States citizen from Ecuador.
“I enjoy serving my community,” Fernández said. “Specifically, giving litigants an opportunity to be heard and to resolve their matters promptly and equitably.”
In October 2023, Fernández received the 9th Judicial District’s Access to Justice Award presented by the Hudson Valley Hispanic Bar Association for her work in the judiciary in raising awareness for immigrants' rights and teaching the community.
At the 9th Judicial District’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration with Senator Luis Sepulveda.
Fernández was also named one of the top 25 businesswomen in Westchester County by Westchester Magazine in November 2023. She was honored for improving the lives of those in her community.
“These awards recognize my commitment to public service, which was instilled in me during my time at Iona,” Fernández said.
Fernández graduated cum laude from Iona in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in history and a minor in philosophy. She was a member of Phi Alpha Theta (The National History Honors Society).
“I enjoyed learning about the origins of our country as well as other nations,” Fernández said. “Comparing and contrasting cultural norms around the world allowed me to understand my multiculturalism along with that of others.”
Fernández credits her professors at Iona for creating an environment and a sense of community for students, allowing them to reach their full academic and personal potential. She encourages students to get involved on campus and form connections with professors and peers. The lessons learned at Iona helped to develop Fernandez personally and inspired her work of changing lives.
“The Christian Brothers’ education instilled in me the concept of service above self,” Fernández said. “That concept has led to many accomplishments in my life, including a successful career as a litigator and a jurist. My wish is for others to experience the same for generations to come.”
Read the full article in the Peekskill Herald and learn more about Lissette Fernández ’97 here.
At the 9th Judicial District’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration, with the HVHBA’s Board, Presiding Justice of the Second Department, Hector LaSalle, Administrative Judge, Anne Minihan, and Supreme Court Justices Doris Gonzalez and Jim Hyer.
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.