Each year, bet365 Èë½ğ’s Marketing & Communications department profiles members of the graduating classes. Students chosen were nominated by staff and faculty for their contributions to the life of the University.ÌıClick here for more information about 2025 commencement exercises.Ìı
Cristal Guzman’s passion for advocacy and care for others started long before she stepped foot on bet365 Èë½ğ’s McNichols Campus.Ìı
It goes back to her childhood as a Mexican American in Hamilton, Mich., a rural community on the western side of the state.Ìı
“I saw how not only immigration policy impacted my family, but how they were treated differently by society,†Guzman said. “I remember hearing insults and derogatory terms being thrown around at a young age and being so confused.â€Ìı
Those moments sparked Guzman’s interest in making a difference through advocacy and the law. They also inspired her to create a welcoming community at Detroit Mercy, where she’s served as a campus leader for the last three years.Ìı
On Saturday, Guzman, a first-generation college student, will graduate one year early as the valedictorian of UDM’s Class of 2025.Ìı
It’s an unexpected conclusion to Guzman’s undergraduate career — that’s because she never planned on applying to be valedictorian.Ìı
“I ended up submitting my application the last day it was due,†said Guzman, a Political Science major. “Being a first-gen student, part of that journey is combatting a lot of imposter syndrome and feeling like it’s not a space that’s meant for you.â€Ìı
Finding communityÌı
Guzman was first exposed to Detroit Mercy as a middle schooler, when her brother attended an event hosted by the Engineering program.Ìı
When it came time to make her college decision, a “full-circle moment†brought her back to UDM.Ìı
“It was kind of out of the blue,†Guzman said. “I was initially planning on committing to University of Michigan, and then something inside me just said, ‘I think this is where I’m supposed to be.’Ìı
“Having that smaller school creates a closer-knit community, and that was something that I really valued and still really value. I would not have gotten as many opportunities and support anywhere else.â€Ìı
GuzmanÌıwasted little time forging that sense of community at UDM.Ìı
As a freshman, she founded the Latinx Student Union and got involved with Titan Dreamers, an immigration advocacy group that is part of University Ministry’s social justice programming.Ìı
With Titan Dreamers, Guzman was able to experience the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice, one of the largest annual student social justice conferences that brings together Jesuit institutions from across the United States.Ìı
Participating was meaningful for Guzman given her background, but it also provided her with an impactful teaching moment.Ìı
“That involvement made me realize the importance of not only doing advocacy work but also taking the time to educate our fellow classmates and peers,†Guzman said. “We have to have patience and not expect everyone to come in with the same knowledge base, because everyone’s lived experiences are different.â€Ìı
Guzman later served as vice president of the Student Government Association as a sophomore. She also worked as a resident advisor and was part of the Feminist Coalition and Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.Ìı
“To be able to have the sense of community meant a lot, because a lot of what I’ve done here has to do with my roots and my own lived experience,†Guzman said.Ìı
It also helped Guzman with transitioning to college.Ìı
First-generation college students can face several challenges and barriers during their educational experience. According to First Gen Forward, first-generation college students graduate with a bachelor’s degree at a rate of 24% versus 59% for continuing-generation students.Ìı
While Guzman faced her share of challenges, what helped was knowing she wasn’t alone.Ìı
“There’s a lot of other first-generation students on this campus, which I really love, because it’s such a good reminder that it’s OK,†she said. “We’re all facing imposter syndrome. We are all going through it; we’re not by ourselves.â€Ìı
Academically, Guzman — who minored in Women’s and Gender Studies and Philosophy — worked toward her goal of attending law school to become a policy writer.Ìı
Detroit Mercy’s Pre-Law Program helped prepare her to achieve those next steps.Ìı
She participated in moot court, law class simulations and legal research and writing courses. These hands-on experiences helped her gain internships with the Allegan County Public Defender’s Office and Friend of the Court after her freshman year.Ìı
“Instead of being on the forefront of politics, I want to do more behind the scenes work,†she said. “I would love to be a policy expert that representatives come to.â€Ìı
Taking up spaceÌı
A lot of good has come of Guzman’s first-generation journey.Ìı
She said it has helped her grow as a person and proves that she is worthy of opportunities.Ìı
“Being able to prove to myself that I do belong in higher education and these spaces that I never thought I did before, it’s very validating,†she said.Ìı
Guzman got a reminder of that earlier this year.Ìı
Megan Novell, executive director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and her Honors thesis advisor, encouraged Guzman to apply as class Valedictorian.Ìı
It was another opportunity to conquer imposter syndrome.Ìı
“I feel like I’m always preaching to others to go for it and that was a moment where I had to prove to myself that you need to do it, too,†Guzman said. “You need to believe in yourself, even if you feel like you’re not good enough or not deserving.Ìı
“If I’m going to preach these things, I also need to live them out. Don’t let your imposter syndrome stop you from reaching for opportunities. You belong in these spaces and are supposed to be here.â€Ìı
Guzman’s “incredible heart†has stood out to Novell.Ìı
“She thinks and cares deeply about justice, about being a good person and doing the right thing, and she lives it in her academic life, in her work and in her relationships with others,†Novell said of Guzman.Ìı“Advising her on her Honors thesis was the best part of my year.Ìı Cristal has so many gifts, and we have been very fortunate that she has shared them with us.â€Ìı
Guzman’s childhood experiences fueled a desire to make a difference in the world. They’ve also helped her create a welcoming community at UDM.Ìı
As she prepares to walk across the stage in Calihan Hall and deliver her valedictorian speech, Guzman is grateful for what her journey has brought her.Ìı
“Leaning back on that community and allowing others to be there for support has taught me a lot,†Guzman said. “And in creating the community, that brought me a lot of joy, because where I grew up, it wasn’t so accepting. Ìı
“Being able to be the person that I needed when I was younger was very healing for me.â€Ìı
—ÌıByÌıRicky Lindsay. Follow Detroit Mercy onÌı,Ìı,ÌıÌıandÌı. Have a story idea? Let us know byÌısubmitting your idea.