My name is Tristan (They/He), and I am a proud First-Generation College graduate and alum of the University of Iowa. I started my time in Iowa in the 5th grade in a small town called Charles City in NE Iowa. I received my undergraduate degree in African American Studies and then received my Master of Public Affairs degree from Indiana University in May 2023 while working for the TRIO Upward Bound program. As first-generation college graduate and the first in my family history to receive a graduate degree, it is extremely vital to provide support, dignity, hope, and energy to our first-gen students. It is why I love the work I do - getting to teach, mentor, and journey alongside motivated and exception first-generation college-bound high school students. Other fun facts about me are that I switched my major nearly 10 times, I grew up as a military kid and lived in places like South Korea and Germany, and also have been a violinist for the past 17 years. I also have a two-year old kitty named Monet.