Into the Criminal Mind

Neyda Siguencia, Senior Psychology and Criminology Major, Florham Campus

By Rebecca Maxon

“I love going to jail!” quips senior Neyda Siguencia about the True Crime Club’s yearly trips to the Morris County Correctional Facility. But seriously, Siguencia, vice president of the club, is set to receive two undergraduate degrees from FDU in February 2025 — completing a double major in psychology and criminology.

“I have a strong interest in learning about human behavior and its intersection with criminal activity,” she says. With the double major, “I am able to gain a comprehensive understanding of the mental process and emotional factors that drive criminal behavior.”

Through her undergraduate studies, she’s been able to examine cases from both the victim’s and the perpetrator’s viewpoints. “Both populations need to be heard, and they need to be understood,” she says. “Victims obviously need a lot of support, especially with the trauma, the healing process and the stress they go through during an investigation.”

On the other hand, “We’ve also learned about the lack of support systems for offenders,” Siguencia says. “Offenders need family support and friend support when re-entering society.”

Support systems may also make a difference with youth offenders and may even deter some from future crimes, lowering recidivism rates.

Reducing social stigma can also help offenders reacclimate after release. “If you are labeled as a criminal, you believe you are a criminal. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy,” she says. “I’ve thought a lot about parolees having case managers upon release — like how people with substance-abuse problems have sponsors. It could be someone who has been to jail, gotten out and now has a better life and can act as a role model.”

Her current job at Mrs. Wilson’s Treatment Center for Women and Halfway House in Morristown, N.J., has given her “deep insight into the complexities of addiction and recovery. Many people need psychological help and counseling,” Siguencia says.

“My professional experiences have played a big role in helping me decide on my future career path.”

Her previous work experiences include an internship with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office in Totowa, N.J., and a virtual forensic psychology externship with the Center for Forensic and Clinical Psychology of New Jersey LLC in Morristown.

“Both experiences involved the legal system, but forensic psychology focuses more on psychological evaluations, while the prosecutor’s office emphasizes the legal process.”

Ultimately, she finds herself more drawn to the work of the prosecutor’s office — the criminal investigation and ensuing case and trial — but knows how valuable it is to understand the psychological aspects of a case.

At the prosecutor’s office, Siguencia is learning about domestic violence cases, shadowing detectives, taking notes on statements and interrogations, and accompanying prosecutors to court hearings.

She says that her crisis-intervention class at FDU taught her that “the healing process is different with everyone. You can’t put a timeframe on it. The first few weeks after the trauma occurs are the most crucial. In those weeks, people are more open to listening and to wanting to get help,” she says.

With psychology playing a vital role within the criminal justice system, Siguencia is well-positioned for her next steps.

She’s been accepted to John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she plans to pursue a graduate degree in criminal justice.

Her goal is to work as a detective one day, helping to solve crimes and provide prosecutors with the evidence needed for conviction.