Cristian is a dedicated, driven student who has worked tirelessly to create opportunities not only for himself, but for his community. Originally from Guatemala and a proud member of the Q’eqchi’ Indigenous community, Cristian is on the verge of a major milestone: transferring from SUNY Ulster to SUNY Albany to complete his undergraduate education.

Cristian is currently finishing his studies at SUNY Ulster, where he has earned a place on the President’s List—a testament to his academic excellence and perseverance despite many challenges he faces. He has been accepted to SUNY Albany, where he plans to major in Criminal Justice with the long term goal of becoming a lawyer and advocating for others.

Cristian is also a first generation college student, the first in his family to pursue higher education. Like many first generation and immigrant students, he faces significant financial barriers in addition to supporting his family. While he has worked hard and saved what he can to afford tuition for one semester, the cost of completing his education remains out of reach without support.

Tuition, room, and board for one year at SUNY Albany total $30,000.

Beyond the classroom, Cristian is deeply committed to serving others in need. He is a beloved volunteer at Ulster Immigrant Defense Network’s food pantry, where he assists immigrant families by using his Spanish and Q’eqchi’ language skills to bridge communication gaps and help community members feel seen, supported, and understood. His compassion, reliability, and leadership have made a lasting impact on both volunteers and families alike.

Cristian has until May 1, 2026, to confirm his enrollment at SUNY Albany. This campaign is an opportunity for our community to come together and invest in a young leader whose future will positively impact many others. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings Cristian one step closer to continuing his education and pursuing a career rooted in justice, service, and advocacy.

Your support is not just helping a student attend college—it is helping build a future lawyer, community advocate, and leader who deeply cares about helping those in need.

Thank you for believing in Cristian and for being part of his journey. Let’s show him that he is not alone in this!