Derek Lee

            Derek Lee is a junior Criminal Justice major with a minor in Sociology and Psychology. Derek was born in the Bronx and moved to Mount Vernon, NY. He chose Pace because of its academic reputation and close proximity to New York City. His choice to become a Criminal Justice major, however, was a more personal one. Derek says, “Ever since 9/11, I felt a need to do something to fight terrorism, so I have known since then that I want to work for the federal government.” His education in Criminal Justice acts a springboard to help Derek meet this goal.

            In order to prepare for a life in the Criminal Justice field, Derek has served with the Counter Terrorist Unit as the Director of CTU New York Westchester Office. He explains, “As Director, I coordinate all tactical operations for the New York Westchester County area. Along with Director of Field Ops, Agent Mario X. Pombo, various operations are underway securing the nation and our own motives. Previous successful operations under my command include Operation DC, Operation Tilt, and Operation It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

            Though Derek is the goal-oriented, serious, hard-working type, he still knows how to have fun. In his free time, he likes to enjoy a good episode of one of his favorite television programs, Entourage or Twenty-four. He is also a big-time sports fan. His favorite teams are the New York Mets, the New Jersey Nets, and the New York Jets. Derek also enjoys playing the stock market.

            In order to include his love of sports and business into his learning experience, Derek serves as an intern from the New Jersey Nets basketball team, a position that he feels has offered him valuable lessons to carry him through his life and career.

            At Pace, Derek serves the student community as a well-liked Resident Assistant in New Dorm. He says that the best thing about Pace is the friends that he has made over the past three years. He also lists the performance by rapstar, Ludacris, among his favorite memories at Pace University.

            Being a junior and a Resident Assistant, Derek is well-versed in the ways of a college student. He reminds fellow students to remember two things. “Networking is the key to everything, and in the real world, its not what you know, but truly who you know,” he says. Derek also encourages students not to worry over what others say or think, but to do what they think is best for them. 

            In the future, Derek hopes to work for the United States Secret Service in order to aid in the protection of the President of the United States or to serve in a top-level management position for a professional sports team.