<p>For John N. Gargano, life truly began at 52, five years after he was granted clemency by President Obama and released from federal prison. After tirelessly rebuilding his life and pursuing a <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/bs-in-leadership-and-management-studies.html" title="Bachelor's in Leadership and Management Studies">BS in Leadership and Management Studies t</a>hrough the Division of Applied Undergraduate Studies (DAUS), John took the stage as the undergraduate student speaker for the NYU SPS Convocation. We sat down with him to learn more about his story and how he found belonging at NYU SPS.</p>

<p>John's early life on a family farm in New Jersey taught him the value of hard work and dedication. However, life's complexities led him down a path that was far removed from the values instilled in him during his youth. A series of decisions culminated in a 2002 arrest for narcotics violations, resulting in a 30-year sentence as a nonviolent first-time offender.</p> <p>Reflecting on this period, John remarked, &quot;When they are at the lowest low, human beings are extremely capable of digging deep.&quot; This belief was essential to his path toward redemption. Education became his beacon of hope, his tool for personal and professional rehabilitation.</p>

<p>Following his clemency in 2017, granted by President Barack Obama, John was determined to reinvent himself through education. After excelling at Hostos Community College, he received the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/how-to-apply/transfer-applicants/cctop.html" title="NYU School of Professional Studies Community College Transfer Opportunity Program (CCTOP) Scholarship">NYU School of Professional Studies Community College Transfer Opportunity Program (CCTOP) Scholarship</a>, which led him to the Division of Applied Undergraduate Studies (DAUS). Here, he found not just an academic community but a nurturing environment that recognized his potential beyond his past.</p> <p>&quot;They welcomed me, even with my previous history, and did not define me by my past,&quot; John recalls, expressing his gratitude for the inclusive community at NYU SPS. Professors Donatella Delfino and Sherry Busbee played significant roles in broadening his perspective, teaching him to appreciate different viewpoints and separate truth from fallacy.</p>

<p>During John's time at NYU SPS, he engaged in the Leadership Fellows program, contributing to prison reform initiatives and developing resources for individuals reintegrating into society post-incarceration. This dedication to advocacy shows his commitment to giving back and supporting others facing similar challenges.</p> <p>&quot;Having spent 14 years in prison, there's not a whole lot that can make me cry with good emotion—only my mother, President Obama, and the day I heard that I would be the undergraduate speaker for NYU SPS,&quot; John shared, reflecting on the profound impact of his educational journey and the honor of being named the convocation speaker.</p>

<p>Today, John envisions a future where he continues to positively impact the world, whether through hospitality, teaching, or advancing criminal justice reform. His advice for students?&nbsp;</p> <p>John's journey from incarceration to graduation is at the heart of what NYU SPS stands for—providing real-world preparation and the opportunity for every student to excel, regardless of their past.</p> <p>Inspired by John's story? Discover how NYU SPS can help you achieve your goals and make a meaningful impact in your community. Explore a <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/bs-in-leadership-and-management-studies.html" title="Bachelor's in Leadership and Management Studies">BS in Leadership and Management Studies</a> today.</p>