Program Director
Cristina Figueroa has a background in education and law which has supported her role as Program Director for Just the Beginning – A Pipeline Organization. She graduated from Northern Illinois University College of Law. She worked as a judicial extern at the Cook County Circuit Court and upon graduation, worked for NIU Law’s Health Advocacy Clinic conducting outreach to low-income community members in need of legal assistance. Cristina has experience in the classroom as a lead teacher in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood and as an English teacher in South Korea. She thrives when working with diverse students and is committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of their ethnic or socioeconomic background, can continue higher education and pursue legal careers.