Like many young adults preparing to graduate high school, future St. Joseph’s University, New York alumna and attorney Gianna Elliot ’15 believed the college experience that awaited her would be found hundreds of miles from home. With her eyes set on playing college softball for a university in upstate New York, a last-minute change of heart turned her to the doors of SJNY’s Long Island campus.
“I received a really good scholarship from St. Joe’s and had a serious conversation with my parents. It was an opportunity to attend school with taking out minimal, if any, loans,” Elliot shared.
In the end, she chose St. Joseph’s on one condition: that she’d still be able to play softball. Joining the Golden Eagles softball team and taking classes just a few minutes from home rather than hours away, she quickly discovered that attending St. Joseph’s was the right decision. From there Gianna’s experience on campus only continued to flourish, making friends and forging connections with her professors.
Unsure of what she wanted to do professionally, Gianna considered a few career options, initially majoring in secondary education while also thinking about taking the civil service exam due to her interest in law enforcement. Fortunately, it was only a matter of time before SJNY would show her the path forward. The University’s diverse selection of internships allowed Gianna to explore her interests and connect her passions with a particular field.
“St. Joseph’s gave me the opportunity to explore so many different internships and figure out what was best for me,” Elliot said.
Internships at the Suffolk County Police Academy and the Suffolk County Police Headquarters Criminal Intelligence Unit would lead to Gianna changing her major to criminal justice.
What proceeded was a snowball effect that took Gianna from one step to the next as her professors and advisers helped her career aspirations take shape. Two professors she credits for molding her experience at St. Joe’s are Barbara Morrell, Ph.D. and Amy Poland, Ph.D.
“They were both mentors to me throughout the process and helped guide me down the path to where I am now,” she continued.
Even though she didn’t go away to school, Gianna wanted to ensure she made the most of her college experience. While leading as captain of the softball team, taking classes and working multiple internships, she also involved herself in campus life. Gianna was a member of the Sigma Iota Chi Honors Society and Student Athlete Advisory Committee as well as volunteered for the SJNY-hosted Special Olympics.
Gianna Elliot ’15 was presented with the Rising Star award during SJNY’s 2023 Esse Non Videri Gala.
For Gianna, living at home was not an excuse to miss out. That meant arriving to campus at eight in the morning and not leaving sometimes until seven at night, or whenever softball practice/night classes finished. It was that type of dedication and involvement that would serve her in her next stage of life.
“Your presence on campus makes a big difference…,” Gianna said. “Not only for the friendships that I made, but connections and networking opportunities that are there.”
By Gianna’s senior year, one final internship recommended by Professor Poland would inspire a career of service and reverence to those in need. The Retreat, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support to victims of domestic violence, instilled Gianna with a new sense of purpose — a desire to give a voice to those who believe they didn’t have one.
The internship allowed Gianna to witness the criminal justice and court systems in full swing as she learned about legislation and legal advocacy. This along with the tools granted by St. Joseph’s did more than result in Gianna securing her first job after graduation as a court advocate at LI Against Domestic Violence. It would also prepare her for her next challenge and her biggest leap forward…attending law school.
The practice of networking and staying involved that began at SJNY stayed with Gianna along her journey as she connected with attorneys and stayed true to her dedication to service, eventually landing her first job as an assistant district attorney for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, and eventually making her way to working in the domestic violence unit.
Today, Gianna works as a senior associate for the Marsh Law Firm in New York City, representing survivors of sexual abuse, exploitation and discrimination. It is a job she finds deeply rewarding, allowing her to use the tools and knowledge she worked so hard to obtain to help those who have been wronged find justice.
And though she has come a long way from the high school graduate who attended St. Joe’s to play softball and save money on her education, the University’s values remain ever-present. Gianna puts the same time, care and attention into her clients as the professors and advisers of SJNY did for her.
“If it wasn’t for the involvement on campus and the recommendations/mentorship from professors who took an interest in the things I was passionate about, I wouldn’t be where I am,” Elliot said.
In light of all she has accomplished, Gianna Elliot ’15, Esq. was honored at SJNY’s 2023 Esse Non Videri Gala, receiving the evening’s Rising Star Award.
