When Crystal Rivera De Leon ’26 was five or six years old, she watched her first wildlife documentary on the Discovery Channel with her grandfather. Looking back, she describes that moment as life-changing. “It solidified exactly what I wanted to do,” she says.

At the University of Rhode Island, Rivera De Leon transformed that early curiosity into a college experience defined by exploration. Graduating this spring with a degree in biology and minors in animal science and gender and women’s studies, she immersed herself in research, animal care, and student leadership while building confidence, community, and a clearer sense of career direction.

Finding Direction Through Exploration

A native of Providence, Rhode Island, Rivera De Leon says URI stood out because it offered both opportunity and support. The Talent Development program played a major role in her decision to enroll and ultimately helped her adjust to college life. “At first, I felt a little out of place,” she says, “but when I started talking to people, I realized I could build connections anywhere.”

Though biology remained her primary field of study, she gravitated toward animal science courses. One in particular proved transformative: Zoo Management. “That class helped me get familiar with the zoo setting,” she says. “It made me realize I could actually work in that environment.” She now works as an animal ambassador at Roger Williams Park Zoo, handling reptiles such as bearded dragons, turtles, and ball pythons before progressing to larger animals. 

Faculty mentorship played a critical role in helping her pursue this and other opportunities while at URI. She credits Professors Justin Richard and Christopher Card in animal science, Professor Serena Moseman in biological sciences, and Professor Sarah Kienle in natural resources science for fostering her interests and helping connect her to research and volunteer experiences. 

With that support, Rivera De Leon expanded her experience in academic research. She worked as a research assistant in Moseman’s lab studying salt marsh salinity and coastal resilience, and later contributed to Kienle’s Comparative Animal Ecophysiology Lab examining coastal wolves in Alaska and whether their marine-based diets could qualify them as marine mammals, working alongside Ph.D. candidate Patrick Bailey.

Looking back, she recalls initially feeling nervous when reaching out to professors or applying for opportunities outside her comfort zone – but with each step forward, she was met with encouragement. 

Finding Community and Confidence

Outside the classroom and laboratory, Rivera De Leon sought spaces where she could express herself creatively. She joined eXposure, a multicultural dance organization, and within a year became president. “I grew up dancing and I was looking for a multicultural group on campus,” she says. “When I found eXposure, I loved that they did everything – Latin, Afrocentric, all kinds of styles.”

As president, she balanced rehearsals, performances, leadership responsibilities, and commuting to campus during her junior and senior years, often navigating late nights and long drives while remaining committed to the organization. 

Despite the challenges at times, Rivera De Leon believes some of her greatest growth came from challenging herself to not stay confined to one social circle, organization, or academic lane. “One of the most important things you can do is remain open to experiencing and joining new communities,” she says. “Stepping out of your comfort zone and meeting new people can lead to unexpected opportunities.” 

Now preparing for the next chapter of her career, Rivera De Leon hopes to continue gaining hands-on experience in animal care before eventually pursuing graduate school for biological sciences. She knows the path ahead may involve temporary or seasonal roles, something common in biology-related fields, but she views those experiences as essential stepping stones.

“Hands-on experience is incredibly important,” she says, “especially when aiming for long-term opportunities in the field.”

Looking back on her time at URI, Rivera De Leon sees a rewarding college journey shaped less by having a perfect plan and more by allowing herself to explore. Through research labs, multicultural organizations, faculty mentorship, and hands-on experiences with animals, she learned that growth often begins with a willingness to take the first step. 

“Even though I was intimidated at times, I was never denied an opportunity,” she says. “The first step is taking the initiative to reach out to people who can help guide you to where you want to be.”