To kick off Season 4, I will be joined by my ENLACE sister, friend, and community advocate, Laura E. Rodriguez Vazquez.
A Southwest Chicago native, Laura recently became part of the 8% of Latino authors in the country. She was published as a contributing author in the book Today’s Inspired Young Latina, Volume VI, a powerful anthology sharing the dreams, wisdom, and journeys of the next generation.
Laura has proudly served the community for fifteen years. she specializes in counseling high school seniors and young adults on post-secondary options, including college, trade school, internships, gap years, and employment. She also provides vital support regarding financial aid, campus academic resources, addressing racism on campus, and navigating personal and career goals.

Socials:

Insta - @elynerod

Linkedin - Laura Rodriguez

Book Order Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd46iHanyVhvrmKafHZoeY64qcfsVXKhLbcg3_f4seNvx4lrw/alreadyresponded?pli=1&pli=1

In this conversation, Dr. Sandy González-Rivas shares her journey of completing her PhD, her experiences as a first-generation Salvadorian student, and her motivations for pursuing a career in educational administration.

She discusses the importance of community connections, the challenges faced by students from diverse backgrounds, and the need for justice in higher education. Dr. González-Rivas also reflects on her transition from K-12 education to higher ed, the impact of burnout on teachers, and the role of academic coaching in supporting students.

The conversation highlights the historical context of higher education and the ongoing struggles for accessibility and equity. In this conversation, Jorge Perez and Dra. Sandy González Rivas explore the complexities of immigration, the impact of U.S. policies on the global south, and the importance of personal narratives in understanding cultural heritage.

They discuss the challenges faced by immigrant communities, the significance of storytelling, and the political climate affecting family dynamics. Dra. González Rivas shares her experiences as a Latina scholar and offers advice for aspiring students pursuing higher education.

In this conversation, Jasmin Zamora shares her journey as a first-generation college student and the challenges she faced in pursuing her education. She discusses her experiences in nonprofit work with Sembra, community engagement, and the importance of cultural identity. Jasmin also highlights the significance of support systems and the need for innovative community building and DEI work in the nonprofit sector. The conversation concludes with insights into upcoming events and the importance of community connections.

In this episode of the College and Beyond podcast, host Jorge Perez interviews Carmen Fraser-Johnston, a strategic development and marketing director. Carmen shares her multicultural upbringing, the influence of her diverse heritage on her career in marketing, and her passion for networking. She emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in marketing strategies and discusses her aspirations to improve access to education for the growing Latino population in Texas.

In this conversation, Carmen Fraser Youngsteadt and Jorge Perez discuss the importance of financial literacy, mental health, and leadership for students, particularly those from Latino backgrounds. They emphasize the need for educational institutions to provide resources and support for first-generation students.

Carmen shares her experiences in building partnerships to enhance student support and the significance of networking for professional growth. The discussion highlights the value of stepping out of comfort zones and the role of education in personal and professional development.

On the season finale...

Bernie shares his insights on the importance of financial literacy and how it can empower individuals and families to make informed decisions about their finances. He also discusses the challenges that many people face when it comes to managing their money and how his campaign aims to address these issues.

Key Takeaways:

✴ Financial literacy is essential for individuals and families to make informed decisions about their finances.

✴ Many people face challenges when it comes to managing their money, such as lack of access to resources and education.

✴ Bernie Floresca's campaign aims to reach 30 million families by 2030 to provide them with the tools and resources they need to achieve financial well-being.

Links:

Bernie Floresca's website: TheBernieFloresca.comhttps://lnkd.in/geGTPC_w

College & Beyond Podcast Insta: @college.beyond.pod

Maria Chavez, a first-generation Latina born and raised in Mexico, joins us for the ninth episode of season two of the College & Beyond Podcast. Maria has over a decade of experience as a Primerica financial services professional.

In this episode, Maria shares her journey to financial success, including the challenges she faced as a first-generation Latina and how she overcame them. She also discusses the importance of financial education and how she empowers her clients to make informed decisions about their finances.

Some key takeaways from the episode include:

Maria's story is an inspiration to anyone who wants to achieve financial success. She is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and education.

If you're interested in learning more about Maria and her work, be sure to listen to this episode of the College & Beyond Podcast and connect with her on Instagram @MariaChavezvp

On this episode I have the honor of hosting a very special guest, a new friend, and tv personality Danielle Robay.

- We will discuss her background as a TV personality, content creator, and journalist

- Talk about her podcast PrettySmart and her cool card game "question everything'

- She's interviewed so many great people, so does she have a favorite one? we'll see...

- We got the opportunity to do a lightning round where I asked 3 random questions. One of the questions was "are you a Cubs fan or Sox fan? tune in to find out.

- Talk about who is my next special guest

Episode Highlights:

- Update on Loyola practicum

- Transfer data from community to 4-year school

- Community college is more economical

- Update on New job

- Next episodes

On this episode I had the honor of having Kate Colbert as a special guest.Truly inspired by the work she is doing, She’s such a humble person. I’m excited to read her most recent book “Commencement: A New Era in Higher Education”

Episode highlights:

⭐️We dive into Kate’s own story as a business owner, author, writer, and higher ed consultant

⭐️Kate talks about her educational journey. Turns out we attended the same community college

⭐️Talked about key insights from her book “Commencement: A New Era in Higher Education”

⭐️Kate’s thoughts on the future of higher education

⭐️Kate shares a key piece of advice for young aspiring professionals

Hey everyone this is your host Jorge Perez on College & beyond podcast. Today’s episode is about what routines you should consider creating for this year. These include your workout routine, AM/PM routine, your self-care routine and MORE. Stay tuned for more updates!

Don't forget to connect with me on Instagram: College.Beyond.Pod

¡Hasta luego!