Crystal Vera-Montalvo joined the College of Staten Island/CUNY in July 2018 as the Director of Community Educational Engagement. As a key convener of the College's anchor mission, Crystal manages community-based partnerships, and oversees nationally recognized pre-college programs, as well as innovative non-credit bearing models for enrichment and life-long learning. Prior to this role, she directed civic engagement programs, local public health and development campaigns, school-based community partnerships, and the 30,000 Degrees initiative - an alliance among three IHEs to increase the number of college graduates from their shared region. With a Master’s Degree in Social Justice and Global Development from St. John’s University/Rome Campus, Crystal is proud to link her personal aspirations as a parent and citizen with her professional goals-making opportunity more accessible to youth and community through education.