August 6, 2026

by Lauren Ferguson

This summer Maya Prasad ’28 gained a behind-the-scenes view of the criminal justice system as an intern at the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office.

“This internship allowed me to apply concepts I have learned in the classroom to a real world legal setting,” said Prasad, a Ramapo College of New Jersey sociology major with a concentration in criminology. “The experience gave me a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system and the important role legal professionals play in it.”

As an intern, Prasad’s responsibilities included organizing case materials, completing felony assessments and observing the work of assistant district attorneys, court proceedings and office operations, she said.

For someone who has found studying the criminal justice system to be “both fascinating and meaningful,” since she took two courses on the subject in high school, the internship strengthened her career goals: becoming a paralegal.

“I hope to continue gaining experience in the legal field and work alongside attorneys, assisting with case preparation and supporting the legal process,” Prasad said.

Prasad, of Paramus, NJ, first learned about the opportunity to intern in the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office from her criminology professor, James Batelli, the former longtime police chief of Mahwah, NJ.

“His passion for the field and encouragement motivated me to pursue opportunities in law and criminal justice,” Prasad said of Batelli. “He has always been approachable and supportive, making me feel comfortable asking for advice about internships and career opportunities.”

Prasad said the guidance, encouragement and mentorship of Batelli and her other Ramapo professors have helped her become more confident in pursuing her goals and have played important roles in her academic and professional growth.

She is thankful she chose to attend Ramapo and become a member of the college’s tight-knit, collaborative community.

“I was drawn to the welcoming environment and the resources available to students, such as the library and opportunities for academic growth,” she said. “Most importantly, Ramapo offers many opportunities for students in my major through internships and hands-on learning experiences, which made it the right fit for me.”

For more information on Ramapo’s sociology program, visit the sociology webpage.