CASNews alumni spotlight: Cristian Casanova ’17 – Illinois State University News

Name: Cristian Casanova
Degree and graduation year: Bachelor of Science, 2017
Majors: Sociology, political science
Employer: Accenture
“As a first-generation Latino student, my time at Illinois State University was a period of discovery, growth, and community. It was where I began to better understand my passions and explore how my academic interests could shape my future. What I valued most was connecting with people who shared my curiosity about politics, sociology, and public life. Through conversations with peers holding different perspectives, I was able to deepen my understanding of human behavior, society, and the forces that shape our communities. Courses in medical sociology, political sociology, and international affairs especially helped me push my thinking and explore topics I had never considered before. ISU gave me the space to be curious, challenge myself, and craft a clearer sense of the issues and ideas that matter most to me.”
“Since leaving Illinois State, I have pursued a path shaped by service, learning, and a growing commitment to technology and social impact. A major turning point was participating in the CDC John R. Lewis Undergraduate Public Health Scholars program at the University of Michigan, which helped redefine my career goals in health care. After graduation, I served with City Year in San Jose, California, where I taught sixth grade. I later earned dual master’s degrees from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, School of Information, and Ford School of Public Policy in Health Informatics and Public Policy. Since then, I have built my career in the AI space, working as an AI strategist at Accenture to help organizations use data and AI to shape strategy and innovation. Alongside my professional work, I have remained active in global youth leadership, advocating for stronger youth representation in conversations on AI, mental health, and digital safety as part of Young AI Leaders Initiative by AI For Good.”
“Illinois State and the College of Arts and Sciences gave me the intellectual foundation that still shapes how I think today. Through sociology and politics courses, I learned how to critically examine society, inequality, power, and human behavior from multiple perspectives. Classes in medical sociology, political sociology, and research methods pushed me to think deeply and build confidence in my ability to write, analyze, and engage with complex ideas. Just as important, the faculty, such as Drs. Richard Sullivan, Michael Doughtery, and Virginia Gill challenged and supported me beyond the classroom, helping me become more curious, resilient, and thoughtful in how I approach big societal issues and my overall career path. That foundation has been incredibly valuable in my work and advocacy today in AI, where questions of bias, governance, ethics, and global politics are central. They taught me not just what to think about, but how to think.”
“Cristian has accomplished so much in the short time since leaving ISU, and we are immensely proud of all the work he is doing. His cutting‑edge efforts to leverage technology, specifically AI, to create positive social impact are truly inspiring. He is a shining example of the value that sociology brings to public health and development, ensuring that those addressing global issues do so ethically, equitably, and with a deep understanding of the communities they serve.”
Read more stories from the College of Arts and Sciences at News.IllinoisState.edu/Unit/College-Arts-Sciences and follow the college on Facebook and Instagram.

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