Dean Gonzalez directs the Emma Bloomberg Center for Access and Opportunity. She is responsible for programs and initiatives within the Office of the Dean of the College that support and advance Princeton’s commitment to an inclusive undergraduate student body. She plays a leading role in the creation, implementation, and management of strategic initiatives designed to enhance the experience of students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and other historically underrepresented groups. Her work is in service of the University’s efforts to support and empower students to, through, and beyond their college experience. 

Khristina grew up in Poughkeepsie, NY with her dad, Andy (who immigrated from Peru), her mom, Colette (who hails proudly from Queens), and her brother, Grant. She went to Dartmouth College, where she majored in English and Women's Studies and fell in love with studying gothic and horror literature (particularly about vampires). At Dartmouth, she was mentored by an amazing Italian Studies professor who nominated her for the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF), which ultimately led to her pursuit of a Ph.D.

After a brief stop-over for a Master's degree at Notre Dame, she completed her Ph.D. in Victorian Literature at Brown University, with a dissertation on monster narratives and social reform programs. She came to Princeton in 2012 as a Writing Program faculty member and started her current role in 2015. She is a proud product of educational pipeline programs like the MMUF and hopes to foster educational systems that ensure every student has the mentorship and support that they need to identify and achieve their personal and professional goals. 

Khristina is an eternal optimist who loves running, chatting, road trips to Weird New Jersey roadside attractions, bingeable streaming shows about cults, and hanging out with her kids, husband, and parents. If you hang around Dean G. long enough, you’ll likely hear her say, “We should have a party! With bouncy castles!”