Cristo Rey St. Martin is proud to celebrate Fernando Rufino, Class of 2021, who returned to campus last month to speak with students. A first-generation college graduate, Fernando earned his degree in Sociology from Connecticut College in May 2025 and now works as an Investment Advisor at Fidelity Investments.
Fernando shared how CRSM’s support and encouragement helped shape his path. “One of the things I really appreciated from CRSM was them not giving up on me. It has been a place where I can come back to for support,” he said. With guidance from Ms. Holdvogt, he earned both Greenhouse and Posse scholarships, which opened doors to higher education and valuable networking opportunities.
Speaking about his journey, Fernando reminded students of the importance of resources and community: “As a first-generation student, we don’t often have the resources. We don’t grow up with this information, like how to fill out FAFSA or apply to colleges. But through Cristo Rey, I was able to get these resources. Take advantage of the resources you have in front of you. They have helped get me to where I am today.”