Meet Our Students

Major: Biology

My name is Scarlet Astudillo. I’m a senior @ Baruch, set to graduate in Spring 2025. I am majoring in Biology, & I aspire to become a nurse & make a difference in the lives of others. I was born & raised in NYC, but I am also proudly Ecuadorian. My heritage & upbringing have shaped my values & fueled my drive to work hard & give back to my community.

My time at Baruch has been an incredible journey of growth & perseverance. I’ve had the privilege of being part of various enriching experiences, including interning at the Simulation Learning & Training Center at the Hospital for Special Surgery. There, I gained hands-on experience in a cutting-edge lab environment, supporting simulations that help train healthcare professionals in critical clinical skills. This experience deepened my appreciation for innovation in healthcare education & further inspired my aspirations to enter the nursing field.

In addition to my academic pursuits, swimming has been a cornerstone of my college experience. As a proud member of Baruch’s swimming team, I’ve learned the importance of discipline, teamwork, and pushing through challenges. Competing alongside my teammates has not only strengthened my physical endurance but also taught me resilience & the power of camaraderie. Beyond the team, I’ve worked as a swimming instructor, teaching people of all ages how to swim & build confidence in the water. These moments have been incredibly rewarding, as I’ve been able to empower others through a skill that means so much to me.

As a first-generation college student and the daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants, my journey has been fueled by the values of resilience, determination, and compassion.

Major: Financial Mathematics

Hello, everyone! My name is Kevin De La Cruz. Like many of you, I am a first-generation college student. Currently, I am studying Financial Mathematics with the hopes of gaining a career in quantitative finance. Both my parents are Mexican, but I was born in New York. I reside in Maspeth, Queens, however, I like to consider myself from a little bit of everywhere. On campus, I’m in SEEK and I’m Vice President of the Urban Male Leadership Academy (UMLA). I’m also in Scholars of Finance and have plans to run in USG for the upcoming academic year. Outside, I love playing and watching soccer. My favorite team is Bayern Munich. I work at Starbucks near Lincoln Center and enjoy attending house music festivals and concerts. Over the winter, I traveled to Miami with my brother and friends. Additionally, I participated in Goldman Sachs’ Possibilities Summit and got to hear from a variety of professionals in the industry. I am currently seeking internships for this summer, and I hope to make new friends along the way!

Major: Accounting

My name is Aaliyah Valdes, and I’m a sophomore at Baruch College majoring in Accounting with a minor in Psychology. I’m originally from Brooklyn and Queens, and my background/culture has really shaped my goals and motivations.

I tend to be more reserved in many settings, but my involvement in the SEEK program has really pushed me out of my comfort zone. As a SEEK Peer Mentor, I’ve had the chance to develop my communication and leadership skills while also connecting with more people in the Baruch community. This experience has opened up new opportunities for networking and personal growth, and I’m excited to continue building on it.

I’ve also recently joined Bearcats LEAD, a leadership initiative here at Baruch. The program offers a variety of workshops and support services designed to help students develop leadership skills in an inclusive and culturally aware environment. I’m looking forward to learning a lot from this program and hopefully gaining some valuable connections along the way.

Looking ahead, my long-term goal is to start my own business or organization in the nonprofit or creative sectors. With my degree in Accounting, I hope to gain the knowledge and connections that will help me achieve that vision. In the meantime, I plan to pursue a finance internship to explore the field further and better understand what I enjoy doing.

Major: Digital Marketing

My name is Christian Perez, my major is Digital Marketing, and I am a first generation college student at Baruch. My parents immigrated from Ecuador to the USA in the early 2000’s where I was luckily enough to be born. I have entered into my second year in college and things seem to be going extremely well. I always aspired to do great things, be creative, and to never lose touch of who I am and where I came from. I was given the opportunity to work at CUNY as a Communication & Marketing Intern where I have grown tremendously. Within the time frame I have worked there I have grown my content creation skills to another level, and have now participated in the creation of the Cuny Ads where my face is plastered all over NYC.

That is definitely one of my biggest highlights but there’s so much more that I care about that should be shown. I have always been curious about my Ecuadorian culture but it wasn’t till I joined the Ecuadorian Club where I found a group of people that I could connect with. I think it’s great to find your people, but with that comes many trials and errors. I have failed many times and I expect to fail so much more but I have never given up. Be it trying to make friends at college while dealing with anxiety, or preparing for an upcoming interview, new environments bring new opportunities.

I am forever grateful for the opportunities given to me by my parents, friends, peers, mentors, professors, supporters, & I will not take it for advantage.

Major: Computer Information Systems

Hello everyone, my name is Malika Ikromova and I am a junior majoring in Computer Information Systems!. I’m a first-generation college student from Uzbekistan, and my family and I immigrated to the U.S. in 2013. Last school year, I had the honor of serving as the President of the Uzbek Students Association. This year, I’m excited to take on the roles of Co-Director of Marketing for ALPFA and Student Center Board for Undergraduate Student
Government.

I’ve been a part of several transformative programs. As a mentee in StreetWise, a second-year Fellow and Fellow Leader at America Needs You, and a mentee in the Asian American Dream, I’ve been developing my
professional skills and meeting amazing people along the way. I’m also a Global Finance Fellow at BNP Paribas, where I’ve been gaining a deeper understanding of the banking and financial services industry.

This past summer, I interned at Johnson Controls as a Technical Sales intern, where my team and I developed a new product idea that earned 2nd place in a company-wide competition. Additionally, I was selected as 1 of 200 students to attend KPMG’s Lakehouse in Orlando, Florida, for their RISE Leadership Conference. There, I participated in case studies, gained valuable insights into their service lines in Tax, Audit, and Advisory, and built meaningful connections.

I also attended my first ALPFA convention in Las Vegas this summer, where I celebrated with ALPFA Baruch College as we won the National Student Chapter of the Year award for 2024! 🎉

As a first-generation college student with 3 younger siblings who look up to me as their role model, I am grateful for
these experiences that have connected me with inspiring professionals and peers.