Meet Christian Martinez Lemus, Recent Graduate Council member
Christian Martinez Lemus (B.A.’21) chose VCU for its urban environment, proximity to state government and college basketball. From hanging out at Belle Isle and Carytown to catching a movie at Bow Tie theater to cheering on the VCU men’s basketball team, he says attending VCU was a great decision.
Lemus, who studied political science and earned a degree from the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, is a member of the Recent Graduate Council, an advisory board that develops engaging ways for VCU alumni to connect with each other and the university; he credits networking through VCU Alumni events for helping him find the job he has today.
He is a policy analyst and registered lobbyist for CASA, a national nonprofit that advocates for Latinos, immigrants and the working class. He is also a human rights community liaison with the Prince William County Human Rights Commission, where he is a resource and advocate for anti-discrimination laws. This summer, he’s traveling to the Philippines for his first international volunteer trip.
Why did you join the Recent Grad Council?
I joined RGC because I wanted to continue being involved with VCU after graduating. I am looking forward to providing recent graduates the same opportunities I had so they can be successful coming out of college. Being a recent graduate can be stressful. Finding ways to help them find jobs and connections is something I prioritize.
Why should alumni stay connected to VCU?
Staying connected after graduation has allowed me to attend a variety of networking events and meet other VCU graduates. Everyone who attends these events has the same mindset, which is great for anyone looking to find job opportunities and/or learn about new fields you could be interested in pursuing. Meeting more alumni makes it easier to build professional relationships, which can be beneficial in the future.
What advice do you have for recent grads who are looking to make meaningful connections after college?
My best advice is to follow VCU Alumni’s social media and sign up for email alerts. I had the opportunity to go to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., for a VCU Alumni event, which allowed me to speak to people who are in my career field and to legislators to build stronger relationships.