Flores came to Illinois College as a first-year student in 2014 shortly after the Hilltop welcomed its 14th president: Barbara A. Farley. A decade later, it’s obvious how meaningful the relationships he forged as a student — including his friendship with Farley — are to Flores. 

It was his connection to Farley that helped him land his current role, managing Mercury Illinois’ grants and research operations where he creates funding strategies and solutions for nonprofits, municipalities and educational organizations.

Farley suggested Flores as an excellent candidate to work with Cheri Callahan Bustos ’83 when she was launching the bipartisan firm’s Illinois offices. She said the young alumnus immediately came to mind when Bustos reached out for recommendations. 

“I had the privilege of watching Christian flourish at IC, both inside and outside of the classroom,” Farley said. “It has been a joy to see his continued growth through his post-graduation pursuits. Christian is an extraordinary person who exhibits intellectual curiosity at every turn.” 

A native of Addison, Illinois, Flores grew up in a bilingual household embracing his Mexican heritage. His upbringing fostered an appreciation for learning about new cultures, although travel was not a part of his life until college. 

“There were so many opportunities to travel and learn at IC,” Flores recalls, reminiscing about how influential professors like Winston Wells, Jenny Barker-Devine, Karen Dean, Almut Spalding and Steven Gardner provided the guidance he needed to travel and learn in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Japan and especially in Argentina, where he studied abroad for a semester as a junior. He also recalls how much professors and staff at IC cared about students. 

Flores earned degrees in history, political science and Spanish. He also grew his resume rapidly within his four years at IC. Flores speaks with gratitude about the hands-on experiences he gained assisting with various political campaigns and student leadership opportunities. He was involved on campus in Student Senate, a leader in Alpha Phi Omega service organization, and as a student research assistant in the Khalaf Al Habtoor Archives. 

“Illinois College taught me that the best experiences happen when you take risks and move beyond your comfort zone,” said Flores in 2018, during an interview before graduation. 

Close relationships, along with the wide variety of global opportunities that he found as an undergraduate, helped to shape a career path that has taken Flores around the world. Flores was awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship for 2019 that allowed him to spend a year teaching, learning to speak Portuguese and completing research in Bage, Brazil. 

Since graduation, Flores has earned a master’s degree in global policy studies from the University of Texas at Austin, during which time he studied in Germany. He has contributed to various research projects and worked professionally to make a meaningful impact on the world. 

The lessons Flores learned at IC are still relevant in his job today. From assisting nonprofits like the Boys and Girls Club in securing grant funds to finding more ethically sourced minerals for tech goods, Flores is tackling some of the most relevant issues of our time. His liberal arts education prepared him to explore complex challenges from diverse perspectives. Even as he continues to grow and learn, Flores remains deeply grateful for the education he received at IC. 

“I loved my time at IC and all the people I met. My connections in the community have only grown since graduation,” he said. “If I could go back and choose again, I would choose Illinois College.”