A Heart for Service and a Passion for Discovery: Jaryd Miles Buendia’s St. John’s Journey

When Jaryd Miles Buendia stepped onto St. John’s Queens, NY, campus, he knew the University would offer something special.  As the Biology major from San Jose, CA, completes his fourth year as a Johnnie, he is reflecting on his St. John’s experience. 

Raised in San José, CA, Jaryd saw St. John’s as a pathway to a world beyond the West Coast. “As a California native, I could only dream of leaving for New York to pursue my education and meet people from around the world,” he said. “I chose St. John’s for various reasons—student life, internship opportunities, and the vast resources for students, and as an opportunity to discover New York City.” 

Eager to explore St. John’s more than 180 clubs and organizations, Jaryd has fully embraced campus life by joining multiple groups and making the most of his time at the University. He is currently a member of the President’s Society, the highest honor society at St. John’s, and is Senior Programming Coordinator with Student Government, Inc. (SGI). He is also a Senior Resident Assistant at Donovan Hall in the Residence Village, and explains the benefits of a St. John’s education to potential students as a Student Ambassador. 

He also served as a mentor with the R.I.S.E. Network (Reach, Inspire, Succeed, and Empower), and as Vice President of PARE (Philippine Americans Reaching Everyone), which promotes unity and awareness of Philippine culture. 

“One of the biggest things I value about St. John’s is the diversity across all facets of the University,” he said. “Looking across all the student organizations and campus departments, and even among the people of St. John’s, there is no shortage of interests and stories to tell. I am fortunate to be at an institution that welcomes, embraces, and celebrates, our differences.”

Inspired by the University’s Vincentian mission, Jaryd’s commitment to service is evident across every chapter of his college life. Whether itis participating in Midnight Run—an outreach program to deliver food and clothing to homeless communities in New York City—or getting involved with food/clothing drives through SGI and the Office of Residence Life, he regularly volunteers his time to make  impact the community. 

“Participating in service is both a humbling and enriching experience where I feel strongest in my faith and commitment to my community,” he said. “Service reminds me to slow down and reflect on my busy schedule.”

For Jaryd, service isn’t a checklist—it’s a mindset.

His desire to understand the world and contribute meaningfully extends beyond his service work. This past summer, he used the skills he developed over his first three years at St. John’s during an internship at Moximed, Inc., a California-based biomedical manufacturing company. 

“I worked in their Research and Development department and helped the lead engineers analyze data on the company’s pilot research studies,” he explained. “I also interfaced with the Product Sales Team and the Quality Control Department to establish indexes and data records for further exploration.”

Looking ahead, Jaryd feels well-prepared for what’s next, including pursuing his M.B.A. at St. John’s. “Over the years, I feel that I have been prepared with the knowledge and skill set required to be successful,” he said. “Whether it is networking or finding an internship, it feels like there is always something for everyone that makes each person’s St. John’s experience unique.”

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