Turning Challenges into Change: Crystal’s Story of Student Advocacy

From Personal Challenges to Purpose-Driven Advocacy

Service had always been an important part of Crystal’s life. Growing up, she volunteered at food pantries and participated in community outreach, but she never imagined those experiences would one day shape the way she gives back to her campus community.

Entering her senior year at St. John’s, she began thinking more intentionally about the impact she wanted to leave behind. 

“I wanted to make sure I made more of an effort to serve and to be a part of different things on campus,” she shared.

That motivation came from a deeply personal place.  

As an independent student, Crystal experienced food insecurity firsthand during her early years of college. There were moments when she worried about affording meals during school breaks, finding snacks between classes, or purchasing everyday essentials like toiletries. Trying to balance those challenges alongside academics and campus responsibilities gave her a new understanding of how many students quietly navigate similar struggles.

Rather than keeping those experiences to herself, Crystal began asking, “How can I use my story to help others feel supported?”

“I wanted to take my perspective and my experience because I’m not the only one who experiences food insecurity,” Crystal explained. “How can I make a difference in another student’s world?”

Helping Bring the Campus Food Pantry to Life

While serving in student leadership and working in Residence Life, Crystal became even more aware of the needs many students were facing behind the scenes. Through campus donation drives and residence hall initiatives, she noticed large amounts of leftover food, toiletries, and supplies being collected each year. She began to wonder if those resources could go directly to students who needed them most.

That curiosity helped ignite a much larger conversation.

Crystal met with University leaders to share her personal experiences with food insecurity and advocate for stronger support systems for students. During those conversations, she learned that the idea of creating a campus food pantry had surfaced before, but hearing directly from a student brought a new level of urgency and perspective to the discussion.

“It was always a conversation that admins were having, but they never had a student actually come up to them and say that this is what we needed,” Crystal said.

From there, the initiative quickly gained momentum. St. John’s University partnered with St. John’s Bread & Life to help develop a sustainable, student-centered resource. Throughout the process, Crystal worked alongside administrators and staff as a student advocate, helping ensure student voices remained at the center of the initiative. Within months, Vincent’s Table officially launched as a campus resource.

Finding Her Confidence as a Student Leader 

As Vincent’s Table grew from an idea into a campus resource, Crystal found herself growing, too. Through her advocacy work, she became more confident using her voice, sharing her experiences, and recognizing the impact students can have when they speak up for their communities.

“The feeling of being able to help someone,” Crystal said, “that’s something that will always stick with me.”

One moment that especially stayed with her was when a student personally thanked her after picking up an order from Vincent’s Table; experiences like that reinforced just how meaningful it can be for students to feel supported, understood, and seen during difficult moments.

Her experience also gave her a broader perspective on the realities many college students face beyond the classroom. From financial pressures to personal challenges at home, Crystal believes universities play an important role in creating spaces where students feel safe asking for help and accessing support without judgment.

Advice for College Students Who Want to Make an Impact

Crystal encourages current or future students who want to create change to begin by simply getting involved and starting conversations. Whether through student organizations; relationships with faculty, administrators, and staff; or leadership opportunities on campus, she believes advocacy often starts with connection and community.

“Campus leaders are so willing to help our students and want to hear from them,” she said. “Talk to anyone and everyone who will listen to you.”

She hopes her journey reminds prospective students that their voices matter and that meaningful change can begin with a single conversation.

A Lasting Impact Beyond Graduation 

Although Crystal is graduating this spring, she hopes to continue supporting the St. John’s community long after earning her degree. Inspired by the mentorship and support she received throughout her college journey, she wants to continue giving back through service, mentorship, and advocacy work.  

“All of my experiences I’ve had throughout my four years have been because someone has helped me at St. John’s,” Crystal reflected. “I always want to be that student, even if I’m not physically on campus.”