A Government major at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and an aspiring litigator, Shaheen studied political systems all over the globe, and it fostered in him the desire to seek reform, first at a political level and then a social level. As President of the student government and a former member of John Jay’s Judicial Committee, Shaheen led a push to reform the Student Activity fee to provide students with a $1.5 million cash injection for their health services, graduation, and clubs. He also contributed to the social development of his school, and was often found with his guitar, networking with students all over the campus. Shaheen believes that music helps to "erase the dividing line" between people and creates a community network, which, he asserts, is essential for understanding where true reform is needed. Shaheen was recommended to take advanced writing courses that enabled him to work in the college’s writing center, where he tutored peers ranging from freshmen to doctoral students. He was inducted into Phi Eta Sigma, a national honor society during his freshman year.

During his time at the Center for Court Innovation, Shaheen formatted and assembled a needs assessment and feasibility report for a new community court and helped to facilitate a Youth Court, both inside of Newark, New Jersey's Municipal Courthouse. In addition to his internship work, Shaheen most enjoyed spending time and living with the other Scholars.

Where are they now?

Shaheen worked at the Fortune Society in the David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy doing policy work in support of alternatives to incarceration. He will be matriculating at Pitt Law at the University of Pittsburgh in fall 2011.