Cristian Ulisses Reyes (he/him/él) is a first-generation, Mexican-American professional pursuing an M.S. in Higher Education Counseling and Student Affairs at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He currently serves as a Graduate Assistant for Cal Poly’s Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Initiatives and Basic Needs Program, and previously interned with UnidosUS, New America, and the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. Cristian’s research and policy interests center on college access, financial aid, and institutional servingness at HSIs. His work has been published by UnidosUS, NASFAA, and New America. A 2025 AEFP Pre-Doctoral Fellow and CSU Pre-Doctoral Scholar, Cristian is committed to bridging research, advocacy, and practice to advance educational equity and student success.