FIU elects first international student as student body president

 

POSTED ON Jul 07, 2022

 

Florida International University (FIU) made history recently when the first international student was chosen as president of the Student Government Association (SGA). Cris Lugo is currently majoring in computer science at FIU. Originally from the Dominican Republic, he obtained an AA degree in computer science at Turks & Caicos Islands Community College before joining FIU.

“I am a first-generation college student,” he told FIU News. “My mom used to bake cakes and sell them on the streets when my sister and I were little. I don’t remember that, but I do remember what it is like to face hardship,” adding that although he loved computers and cell phones, his family didn’t have the resources. “I had to go to a computer shop to work on my studies and assignments,” he told FIU.

According to FIU News, Lugo is also the first SGA president from the College of Engineering & Computing at FIU.

No stranger to leadership roles, Lugo served as SGA president at Turks & Caicos Islands Community College. At FIU, Lugo is also active in Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the largest student organization for technology on campus.

“I’ve always enjoyed speaking and getting involved in the community,” he told FIU. “At TCI the student body was very small. At FIU, I am representing nearly 60,000 students. It’s a huge responsibility,” he said.

As President, Lugo wants to increase student engagement, and increase advocacy for minority and international students. “FIU is celebrating its 50th anniversary,” he said. “I want to boost that FIU pride. Academics are important, but I want students to feel involved outside the classroom, too. I want them to feel that they are Panthers and to have that tailgate experience, to come to football games, to join organizations.”

Lugo plans to stay at FIU after graduation and enter the master’s degree program in computer science with a minor in international relations.