Years ago, Rasheed Rankine was a John Jay student getting ready for college with help from the Park Slope Civic Council’s scholarship program. Today, he is back at his alma mater as a social studies teacher and lead college advisor, helping students navigate the college process and find opportunities they may not otherwise know exist.
We spoke with him about coming back to John Jay, why he cares so deeply about college access, and what it means to do this work in Park Slope.
Q: You’ve now been at John Jay as both a student and an educator. What has that full-circle experience been like for you?
A: It’s definitely full circle.. I remembered what it felt like to be a student here trying to figure out college without really having the right guidance. So now being back in the building and being the person who can help students through that process, that part feels very meaningful to me.
Q: When you were a senior at John Jay, what were your own college hopes, and how did they start to take shape?
A: I always wanted to go to college, and I always wanted to be a teacher. What I didn’t really have at first was a clear sense of how the process worked or how to get where I wanted to go. My English teacher stepped in and basically became my college advisor. She understood the urgency, she pushed things along, and she made sure I didn’t miss opportunities. That is a big reason I work the way I do now.
Q: At the time you were a Park Slope Civic Council scholarship recipient. What do you remember about that?
A: I remember being surprised I got it. I used the money to buy a computer, which I really needed. But what I also remember is that the award event was the same night as prom, and the Civic Council arranged for a car to take me from the event to prom. That was a great moment. It made the support feel very real. Looking back now, I appreciate it even more.
Rasheed with the graduating class of 2025
Q: John Jay is in Park Slope, but many of the students it serves come from all over the city. What does it mean to do this work in Park Slope?
A: John Jay is in Park Slope, but most of our students are not from Park Slope. So in some ways, the school sits in this very beautiful, very established neighborhood, while a lot of the students are coming in from very different circumstances. I think that matters. Park Slope has always felt to me like a peaceful neighborhood, almost like a small town in a big city. I remember being in awe of it when I was younger. And I do think being in a place like this can matter for students. If they are paying attention, they can see what is possible. There is history here, there is beauty here, and there is a kind of civic life here that can be meaningful.
Q: I know you’re a big supporter of HEOP. For people who may not know it, what is it and why does it matter so much to you?
A: HEOP is the Higher Education Opportunity Program, and honestly, I think it’s one of the best things New York has. It helps students from lower-income backgrounds go to college with real support. Not just tuition help, but books, supplies, summer programs, counseling, all of it. I care about it so much because I know what a difference it makes. A lot of students are capable of doing the work, but they need the right structure and the right access. HEOP can really change the direction of someone’s life.
Q: You clearly have high expectations for students. How would you describe your approach?
A: I don’t really believe in lowering the bar. I think students can handle more than people sometimes assume, but they need structure and support. That was true for me in the classroom, and it’s true in college advising too. I want students to feel challenged, but I also want them to feel like success is possible. That balance matters.
