​​The first in her family to finish high school and attend college, Christina Benitez Ruiz initially found her journey at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo daunting. Facing personal and academic challenges, she utilized campus resources and has since become a successful, engaged student. 

Christina is a biological sciences major with a Spanish minor and volunteers at a local elementary school, helping students hone their Spanish skills. 

A high school science teacher inspired Christina’s interest in science, as well as her goal to provide health care resources to low income Latinx and Black families. Christina plans to continue her education after graduation and views her career aspirations as living the American dream for herself and her family.