USU alumnus to compete on ‘Survivor’ season 51

A Utah State University alumnus is headed to a beach in Fiji when “Survivor” returns for its 51st season on Sept. 23.

Christian Chavez, 26, started college at Utah State as a chemistry major before switching paths, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a master’s degree in human resources. He now works as a head of human resources and lives in Herriman.

Chavez, who grew up in Salt Lake City, said his years at Utah State stood out for their sense of community.

“The student life at Utah State is kind of, I don’t know, unmissable,” Chavez said. “It’s hard to miss out on such good activities, and such good culture that the students create.”

Chavez said the show has already been filmed, though he couldn’t discuss how his season played out. He described a years-long effort to get cast, calling the process “full of twists and turns.” 

According to Survivor journalist Mike Bloom, Chavez previously served as an alternate contestant for the show’s 47th season before ultimately landing a spot on Season 51.

“This has been a dream of mine for such a long time,” Chavez said. “All of my hard work for the past six-ish years has finally paid off.”

Chavez said he trained for the physical and mental demands of the game by focusing on endurance, including working through puzzles while riding a stationary bike for hours at a time.

Submitted photo

Survivor 51 contestant Cristian Chavez a USU Alumnus.

“I tried to prepare my mind, my body to be fully immersed in the experience,” Chavez said.

He said his time at Utah State, particularly his work with student life programs and as a resident assistant through Residence Life, helped prepare him for the social side of the game.

“Being able to advocate for people while also trying to maintain the rules and balance of everything — that’s a big part of what Survivor is,” Chavez said.

Season 51 marks what CBS is calling the show’s “Open Era,” in which any twist or advantage from the franchise’s history could resurface at any point in the game. The season features 21 castaways, including a livestock farmer, a professional wrestler and a voice actress, filmed on location in Fiji.

Chavez said his family reacted with excitement when he told them he had been cast.

“It was nonstop screams and shouting,” Chavez said, “like a giant celebration in the moment.”

Chavez offered a piece of advice for current students modeled on his own path through multiple majors before settling on human resources.

“Never give up, but also try new things,” Chavez said. “Do whatever your heart and the universe is guiding you towards, but also don’t keep yourself so locked into one decision that that’s what you’re going to do your entire life.”

For at least one current Utah State student, Chavez’s casting has made the show feel more personal. Connor Howard, a senior studying landscape architecture, said he grew up watching “Survivor” with his mother and has followed the show closely since.

“It hits home a bit more, and I have someone I can root for,” Howard said of Chavez’s casting.

Howard said he thinks the skills required to navigate college life translate directly to the game.

“It provides you with good social dynamics with other students,” Howard said. “You’re going through stuff so quick, and I think the idea of learning and growing through the college experience really equips you for that.”

Howard, who said he hopes to apply for the show himself someday, said watching a fellow Aggie compete has given him confidence in that goal.

“I’m still encouraged that someone who went to the same school as me was able to accomplish something like this,” Howard said.

Howard said he plans to root for Chavez once the season begins, though he added with a laugh that it would depend on “how convincing he is.”

Chavez said he hopes Aggies and “Survivor” fans alike tune in for the premiere.

“Everyone who is a Survivor fan should be very excited,” Chavez said.