Criminal justice senior, John Alvarado Toro was selected as the student marshal for Penn State Lehigh Valley's (PSU-LV) spring 2025 commencement ceremony.
CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — Despite arriving in the United States at age 20 without English language skills, John Alvarado Toro had his sights set on higher education. Now, Alvarado will serve as the student marshal for Penn State Lehigh Valley's spring 2025 commencement ceremony on May 10.
“My goal has always been to pursue a legal career and become an attorney,” Alvarado said. A Bethlehem resident, Alvarado is set to graduate with a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice.
Alvarado chose to study criminal justice because he knew he would need foundational knowledge of the legal system to pursue his goals.
“To one day create meaningful change, and ensure equal access to justice for all, I knew I needed to first understand the legal system — its strengths, flaws and factors influencing outcomes for those affected by it,” he said.
The affordable tuition and proximity to family attracted Alvarado to Penn State Lehigh Valley (PSU-LV).
“It only took one semester for me to fall in love with PSU-LV,” he said. “It isn’t just a campus; it’s a family. The personalized attention and care from professors and staff made a lasting impact on me.”
A class trip to the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas during his "courts and the prosecution process" course reaffirmed Alvarado's life-long aspiration.
“Being in the presence of the judge and the other courtroom professionals felt right — I knew I was where I was meant to be,” he said.
Alvarado chose Deb Dreisbach, assistant teaching professor and program coordinator for criminal justice, as his faculty marshal for the commencement ceremony.
“Professor Dreisbach is one of the toughest professors at Lehigh Valley and I say that with the utmost respect,” he said. “Every correction and challenge she presented helped shape me into a more disciplined and detail-oriented professional.”
Dreisbach recalls being impressed with Alvarado’s early initiative and commitment to his studies.
“Before I began teaching on campus, John reached out to express enthusiasm for the program,” she said. “His ability to understand and connect with the experiences of others contributes to his ongoing success.”
In addition to academics, Alvarado demonstrated active leadership in student life. He served as the president of the Hispanic and Latinx Association, founder and public relations officer of the Criminal Justice Club, and spent time as a Spanish tutor on campus. He also drafted an internship handbook for his fellow criminal justice students, outlining program learning objectives, intern and supervisor responsibilities, ethics and office etiquette.
In his junior year, Alvarado was recruited as a paralegal. While maintaining his full-time student status, Alvarado took on the role of an immigration paralegal at YVR Law in Allentown, where he drafts legal motions, translates legal documents, and supports attorneys handling immigration and asylum cases. He will continue in this role after graduation.
Alvarado said he is thrilled to lead the graduate procession for PSU-LV's spring 2025 commencement ceremony.
“Being selected as the student marshal is the greatest honor I could have achieved at this point in my life,” he said. “It represents years of perseverance, resilience and sacrifice.”
Adapting to a new country, a new language, and balancing family care and multiple jobs were among the obstacles Alvarado faced while striving for academic success.
“This recognition is not just for me; it is a tribute to the sacrifices and determination of so many students like me,” he said.
Alvarado advises fellow students to embrace every opportunity for personal and professional growth.
“By applying your knowledge and skills beyond the classroom, you play a role in shaping a more just and equitable society,” Alvarado said.
