NASFAA 2025 DME Policy Intern Cristian Ulisses Reyes, Bids Farewell
By Cristian Ulisses Reyes, NASFAA Policy Staff
Dear NASFAA Comunidad,
As I reflect on my summer with NASFAA, I feel both proud of what I’ve accomplished and deeply grateful to the supporters of the Dallas Martin Endowment who made this opportunity possible. I’m especially thankful for the incredible mentors on the policy team, whose guidance has been invaluable as I navigated the complexities of federal financial aid, including legislation, negotiated rulemaking, and other critical processes. This summer has been one of immense growth and meaningful impact. The knowledge and experience I’ve gained will continue to shape how I think about policy and the development of student-centered practices. Below, I’ve highlighted some of the most significant experiences from my time at NASFAA.
Prison Education Program Convening
In June, I had the opportunity to attend the PEP Convening in Washington, D.C., an entirely new learning experience for me. Although I arrived with limited prior knowledge, it quickly became one of the most impactful moments of my summer. I was especially moved by several presentations, including the justice-impacted scholar panel and a session on providing essential services for students with disabilities in Prison Education Programs (PEPs). One statement that has stayed with me came from Rameika Robinson, a justice-impacted scholar on the panel, who shared that her experience “broke me before it empowered me.” Her words deeply resonated with me and helped me better understand the emotional and systemic challenges faced by justice-impacted individuals. Participating in the re-entry simulation was another transformative moment. It gave me a visceral understanding of the everyday barriers formerly incarcerated individuals face. The simulation also shed light on how these challenges are rooted in broader social-welfare issues and are further complicated by social identity.
2025 NASFAA Conference
In June, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the 2025 NASFAA Conference in Anaheim, California. This was not only an enriching professional experience, but also a truly fun and memorable one. I was able to connect with so many members of the NASFAA community, whether cheering them on during the annual 5K, engaging in thoughtful conversations at receptions, or simply sharing stories over coffee between sessions. One of the highlights of the conference was hearing from keynote speaker LeVar Burton, whose legacy in the media industry, from Reading Rainbow to Roots, has helped ignite a love for learning and storytelling in generations of viewers. His message about the transformative power of education resonated deeply with me. The most impactful session I attended focused on the effects of FAFSA simplification on mixed-status families, a topic that is both deeply personal and often overlooked in broader policy conversations. Hearing stories and data about how these changes are creating new barriers for undocumented students and their families reminded me of the critical importance of inclusive, equity-centered policy work. Of course, being in Anaheim came with one more unforgettable bonus: the chance to visit Disneyland! It was the perfect way to wrap up a week filled with learning, connection, and inspiration.
Legislative Office Meetings + PNPI Financial Student Aid Bootcamp
In July, I had the privilege of participating in advocacy meetings on Capitol Hill with the offices of Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Adam Schiff, and Representative Salud Carbajal. During these meetings, I advocated for key legislative priorities, including the standardization of core elements and terminology in financial aid notifications and communications, the extension of Pell Grant eligibility to DACA students, and increased investment in campus-based aid programs such as Federal Work-Study and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). I’m incredibly grateful to Rachel Rotunda and Nalia Medina for their guidance and support throughout these meetings. Having their expertise and encouragement made a significant difference in my experience and effectiveness as an advocate. While in D.C., I also had the opportunity to attend the Postsecondary National Policy Institute (PNPI) Bootcamp. One of the most impactful aspects of the program was deepening my understanding of how the cost of attendance and Student Aid Index (SAI) are calculated. We also explored the social disparities surrounding student loan debt, particularly how debt burden disproportionately affects students of color and those from low-income backgrounds. This experience reinforced the importance of equity-driven reforms in federal student aid policy.
California Student Parent Summit
In September, I had the opportunity to attend the California Alliance for Student Parent Success’ Student Parent Summit. I was especially grateful that the event was hosted in San Luis Obispo, which made attending much more accessible. Although I do not have personal experience as a student parent, I recognize the immense challenges that come with balancing academic responsibilities while raising a child, and the importance of creating supportive, inclusive environments for student parents. One of the highlights of the summit was hearing from keynote speaker and New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Land, who shared her powerful story and experiences as a student parent navigating higher education. I also attended insightful sessions, including one focused on cross-campus collaboration to build more family-friendly systems, and another that explored recent and upcoming California legislation impacting not only student parents but broader basic needs access across campuses. This summit was an incredibly eye-opening experience, and it was heartening to see so many of my former colleagues and mentors play key roles in bringing this important event to life.
2025 National Profile
As the Dallas Martin Endowment (DME) Policy Intern, my primary responsibility was leading the development of the 2025 National Student Aid Profile. Following a year of significant changes, including major updates to FAFSA Simplification and the conclusion of the COVID-19 student loan repayment pause, the profile serves as a comprehensive overview of federal student aid programs for the 2024–25 award year. This project was a tremendous opportunity to strengthen my project management and data analysis skills. I worked with federal data sources to analyze trends, create visualizations, and ensure the accuracy and clarity of the information presented. I also played a key role in overseeing the copy-editing, design, and publication processes, helping to bring the final product to life. Additionally, I had the chance to help revive the State of Student Aid event, where members of the policy team presented key insights from the profile to Hill staff and policy partners, further extending the impact of our work and reinforcing the importance of accessible, data-driven policy communication.
Basic Needs Blog Series
This summer, I had the opportunity to author a three-part blog series, Basic Needs, Real Costs, focused on one of my key professional research interests, basic needs insecurity in higher education. In the first post, I introduced the issue by defining what constitutes basic needs insecurity and examined the populations most affected by it, along with the compounding barriers they face in accessing higher education. The second post delved into the current policy landscape, highlighting both federal and state-level efforts, and evaluated campus-based interventions aimed at addressing food, housing, and financial insecurity. The final post explored the importance of cross-sector collaboration, specifically between basic needs practitioners and financial aid professionals, to create holistic systems of support that promote student success. Through this series –which will run in Today’s News in the coming weeks – I hope to reach advocates, practitioners, and policymakers who are committed to enacting change, and ultimately, to contribute to the growing movement to end student hunger and support student well-being at every level.
What’s Next
As I prepare to begin my final year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the Master’s of Science in Higher Education Counseling and Student Affairs program, I find myself reflecting on the path ahead with renewed purpose. I remain committed to my aspiration of pursuing a doctoral degree in education and building a career where I can harness research to inform policy and advance equity and access in higher education. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the entire NASFAA policy team — Karen, Jill, Sarah, Megan, Rachel, Nalia, Charlotte, Sheila, and Kristy. It has been a true privilege to learn from and connect with each of you over the summer. Your insight, support, and passion for this work have left a lasting impact on me. A special thank you goes to my supervisor, Rachel, whose encouragement and openness helped make this experience so meaningful. Thank you for listening, for believing in my ideas, and for creating space for me to grow and thrive throughout the summer.
Hasta luego NASFAA family!
Publication Date: 9/19/2025
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