Christian Velez is a Bronx native raised by Colombian and Venezuelan parents, who instilled in him a deep understanding of the importance of education. Christian’s path to the Colin Powell School began with his father’s love for the ocean.
Today, Christian is a salutatorian for the Powell School class of 2026, graduating with a double major in Political Science and Science Learning & Public Engagement. His journey has been powered by his passion for science, nature, and public policy. Learn more about how those passions took shape below.
Finding the Right Path
Christian initially came to CCNY as a Biology major in the Macaulay Honors College. However, after a difficult freshman year, he realized the path he was on didn’t quite fit his vision for impact.
“The best advice I can give is that it’s okay not to follow a linear path in life. Embrace the unknown,” Christian reflects. “As straightforward as my journey may seem, there were many times when I felt lost, confused, and uncertain about what the future held.”
By pivoting to Political Science and discovering an interest in environmental law, Christian found a way to marry his lifelong passion for the ocean with the structural power of governance.
A Mission for Environmental Equity
Christian’s motivation is grounded in a stark reality: environmental degradation doesn’t affect everyone equally. He is particularly focused on protecting ecosystems that serve as the foundation for global health, such as coral reefs.
“For me, it’s about equity,” Christian explains. “Scientists now estimate that approximately 80% of the world’s coral reefs have passed the tipping point of recovery. It deeply saddens me to think that an entire ecosystem — once renowned for its vibrant colors and immense marine biodiversity — is barreling toward becoming a graveyard of white calcium carbonate skeletons.”
For Christian, these ecosystems are bellwethers for the broader threats facing vulnerable communities. He is driven by the conviction that future generations deserve to witness the planet’s beauty firsthand, rather than reading about mass extinction in textbooks.
Bridging Science and Policy
To combat these issues, Christian has taken a dual-pronged approach. Through the Colin Powell School’s Climate Policy Fellows program, he interned at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), researching climate policy in India. Simultaneously, his role as an assistant researcher at the American Museum of Natural History has deepened his understanding of how informal learning environments can spark curiosity about science.
Christian believes that policy and education are two sides of the same coin:
“Policy plays an important role in improving sustainability within government, but so does educating people about the science behind the issues they face. It’s hard to get people involved in local issues when they don’t understand the complex science behind problems disproportionately affecting their communities — or the scientific solutions they can advocate for.”
The Road Ahead
Christian’s hard work has paved the way for an exciting next chapter. After graduating this spring, he will head to Columbia University to pursue a Master’s in Sustainability Management, having been awarded a prestigious Columbia SPS CUNY Fellowship — a full scholarship that recognizes his immense potential.
Looking back on his time at the Colin Powell School, Christian encourages his peers to stay open to the unexpected. “Oftentimes, hesitation to stray from the path we’ve envisioned can be an obstacle in discovering new paths,” he says. “I encourage you to take risks and explore fields adjacent to your interests. More often than not, there are multiple ways to engage with what you’re passionate about — from entirely different angles — with just as much impact.”
With plans to eventually attend law school and work as an environmental attorney, Christian is well on his way to becoming a powerful advocate for the communities and ecosystems that need him most.
