CHCI-Walmart Congressional Intern
Hometown: Hood River, Oregon
School: Western Oregon University
Major: Public Health
Placement: The Office of Senator Ron Wyden
Cristina was raised in Hood River, Oregon by her two hard working parents who immigrated to the United States from Michoacán, Mexico. Cristina is the first of her siblings to pursue a college education.
Cristina is currently a senior at Western Oregon University majoring in Community Health with minors in Social Science and Spanish. She has had the opportunity to be involved on campus. As a student research assistant she has conducted research on food insecurity among college students, assisted fellow students as a student gender and equity advocate and volunteered as an interpreter for the Salem Free-Health Clinic. Throughout these varied experiences, she has learned to listen to new perspectives, speak up for her own and other’s needs, as well as understand the importance of higher education. As a first-year student in college, she noticed the need for a support group for undocumented and immigrant students on campus and worked tirelessly to establish a resource and support group. Throughout her involvement in advocacy work she discovered her passion for public health.
She plans to work as a Community Health Worker upon completing her undergraduate degree and complete a graduate program in Public Health. Her ultimate career goal is to increase access to equitable, affordable and high-quality health resources in rural Oregon.
As a CHCI Intern, she is excited to expand her knowledge on how to develop policies, network, and gain valuable experience working at Capitol Hill.