Jaskirat Singh ’15, JD’s academic and professional success is a testament to the transformative power of an Adelphi education and the importance of following one’s passions.
Member of Adelphi University’s 10 Under 10
College of Arts and Sciences, Department of English
Refugee Officer, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
His path to Adelphi University began after an inspiring interview with Richard Garner, PhD, the founding dean of the Honors College.
“The department’s commitment to a broad academic base, culture and student success convinced me that I belonged at Adelphi University and at the Honors College,” Singh said.
At Adelphi, Singh found a mentor in Professor Nicholas Rizopoulos, PhD, academic director for special programs and research at Adelphi University’s Honors College, who significantly influenced his intellectual growth and career trajectory. Despite Dr. Rizopoulos’s reputation as a tough grader, Singh took multiple courses with him, a decision he never regretted.
“He instilled a level of confidence in me that I hold to this day,” Singh said. “He taught me how to be a better writer, thinker and student of history. I’ll never forget spending hours in his seminar every Friday and reveling in the deeply thoughtful conversations we shared. I truly believe I wouldn’t be the person I am today without Professor Rizopoulos.”
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Singh pursued law at The George Washington University, where he earned a JD and an MA in Security Policy Studies within three years. This achievement required significant personal and financial sacrifices, but it was a milestone that Singh considers among his greatest accomplishments.
Singh’s professional career began with the United States government, initially as an asylum officer at the New York Asylum Office. In this role, he interviewed vulnerable applicants seeking asylum, assessing their claims while ensuring national security. In 2022, Singh joined the Refugee, Asylum and International Operations team as a refugee officer. This position has taken him across the globe, from Rwanda and Cameroon to El Salvador and Turkey, to interview refugee applicants and determine the legitimacy of their claims and any potential security concerns.
“I’ve interviewed hundreds of people and have seen their heartbreak, resilience and courage,” Singh shared.
A proud brother of Pi Lambda Phi fraternity, Singh acknowledges all that Adelphi has done for him. “I was fairly shy and unsure of myself in high school. Adelphi provided me with numerous opportunities to grow and develop as a leader, student and citizen of the world,” he said.
His advice to current students and new graduates is to focus on their unique qualities and passions: “Do what interests you and follow your passions, even if it seems as though everyone else is following a different path,” he said. “Trust in yourself and your capabilities. Most importantly, no one can get anywhere without hard work. Remember your North Star whenever you feel doubt or exhaustion.”