On this episode of the Latinas with Masters Podcast, Christina speaks with Joseph Valadez (him/his) who shares his childhood upbringing as a Chicano in Southern California, serving in the military, celebrating his sobriety and despite all of the systemic barriers he experienced, he always knew that he belonged on a college campus! Joseph has an A.A. in Sociology and A.A. in History, being a transfer student from Orange Coast College to Cuesta Mesa College. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from CSU Long Beach and is a current graduate student in the MSW program at CSU Long Beach. 

There are many Joseph's out there and your story is not heard enough. Please know that through Joseph's voice, your experiences are validated and your truth is being heard. This is one of many stories that we will continue to share and support on the Latinas with Masters Podcast. Thank you everyone for listening, for your love and always your continued support. Peace out folks! ✌🏽

On this episode of the Latinas with Masters Podcast, Christina interviews Sergio A. Gonzalez, a Bay Area native and proud Joto, Latinx, feminist, hijo de a first-generation Madre and Mexican Immigrant Padre, jotería scholar, & activist. Sergio received a BA in Communication Studies from Manhattanville College in Purchase New York and a Master's in Higher Education/Student Affairs from USC and a Master's of Arts in Applied Gender Studies from Claremont Graduate University. 

His purpose and power as a jotería scholar/activist, he focuses on co-creating counter-narratives of queer Latinx/a/o individuals within higher education and shares how he created his own network by applying and attending college with his homies! Sergio is currently a PhD candidate and through the lens of jotería pedagogy, he is deeply committed in elevating joteria vibes in higher education by centering his studies and academic career on the lived experiences of queer and/or trans Latinx/a/o graduate students. Check out his new book co-authored by Manuel Diaz, "Queering Higher Education: The QTPOC Experience" and follow Sergio @gsoulstar on Instagram and on Twitter @serxiogonzalez 

Thank you all for the love and support! 

On this week’s episode on the Latinas with Masters Podcast, Christina interviews Jesús Briceño, First-Generation Mexican-American from Los Angeles, CA. Jesus graduated from CSU Long Beach with a BA in Film Editing and a Master's in Education School Counseling from USC. He shares with us how his college experience shifted the moment he joined a brotherhood fraternity and the importance of finding a community within the university. Jesus also shares how his job search experience after undergrad influenced him to pursue a Master's degree to better prepare students with future academic and career success! Listen to this episode to listen Jesus share his advise for those who are interested in pursuing a Master's degree. Follow Jesus on Instagram @ Counseling_with_Mr.B and visit his website showcasing his school counseling portfolio at https://www.mrbriceno.education/ 

Thank you all for the love and support! 

Thank you for listening! 

On this week's Season 2 opener, Christina Rodriguez interviews her homie and hermano from the 831, Benjamin Perez, founder of Latinx Greek Life podcast & the Find Your Purpose Instagram Live series. Benjamin is very proud to be a son of immigrants from Mexico and shares his educational journey being born and raised in Salinas, CA to being the first in his family to attend a 4-year university. He walks us through his experiences with his college professors, taking Spanish and Chicanx studies courses and the importance of having a mentor early on in college. Benjamin is a first generational college graduate, earning his Bachelor of Arts and his Masters of Arts in Spanish from San José State University and minors in Latin American Studies & Mexican American Studies.  He is also an alum from Hartnell College, where he received his AA in Liberal Arts. In college, he became a brother of Sigma Delta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. & a founder of Gente Unida (a Latinx student leader coalition). He has been adopted by the Bay Area and currently serves students in their trajectory in college and career. His passions are all about empowering & advocating his culture and this is his power & purpose!  

Listen and enjoy the conversation with Christina and Benjamin and follow his Instagram page @PerezTheAdvisor 

Thank you for listening! 

The final episode for Season 1 is here and what an adventurous year it has been. Join me as we take a trip down memory lane, reflecting on the episodes and podcast guests who inspired, empowered and educated us on how to navigate the hard knocks of higher education as a first generation college student. I also share my personal reflections on my key takeaways since creating Latinas with Masters, the podcast and a sneak peak on what's to come for Season 2. 

Like and subscribe to the Latinas with Masters Podcast and I will catch up with you all very soon on Season 2! Thank you all for the love and support. ~ Christina Rodriguez, Founder of Latinas with Masters & Podcast Host of Latinas with Masters Podcast 

Follow Latinas with Masters on all social media platforms @latinaswithmasters and visit our website for graduate advising services, swag or to book  Latinas with Masters for future workshops and events at LatinaswithMasters.com 

On this week's episode of Latinas with Masters Podcast, Christina interviews Helena Diaz, a Colombian-American born and raised in Hamilton Heights, New York and a Future Latina with Masters attaining her Master's in Education with a concentration in Spanish. Helena shares her personal and academic experiences as a first gen Latina in predominately (non-Hispanic) population and discovering how college is not just a place to learn but a place to find community filled with new people and new experiences. She also shares with us her shift from working several years in the Hospitality industry to starting fresh and discovering her love for Education, specifically teaching in the Spanish language. 

Check out and follow her Helena Diaz on her Instagram page @great_idiaz

On this week's episode of Latinas with Masters Podcast, Christina interviews Cristal Flores, a Oaxaqueña and a Latina with Masters Sociology major from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Cristal shares her personal and academic experiences as a first gen Latina navigating spaces where she felt like she didn't belong in and keeps is 100% real through the eyes of a true Sociologist. Cristal is on the pursuit of always becoming...becoming the educator in her community by making higher education material accessible to the everyday person who may not have access to a higher education. The pursuit of always becoming the expert in Sociology, the sociological challenges and the deep structures of how race and ethnicity spills over into equity, opportunity and academic attainment for individuals. Most importantly, she is in pursuit of always becoming una hija, hermana y amiga you can count and rely on! 

Check out and follow her Instagram page @LatinaSociologist 

On this week's episode of Latinas with Masters Podcast, Christina interviews una Latina muy maravilla,  Paulina Lainez. A first generation Latina to graduate in her family with a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Cal State Los Angeles. Paulina's family originates from Gaunajuato, Mexico and grew up in South Los Angeles. She shares with us her academic journey attending community college as a dance major, transferring to Cal State LA with a communications major and her personal experience in her Master's program. She is now a college professor and a research associate with the Intimate Communication Lab, a Transgenerational Latina/Latinx research study about trigenerational family communication about sexual and reproductive health in Latina/Latinx families.  Paulina is also an entrepreneur at heart as her parents started their own business to support their family when they migrated to the United States. She currently owns two businesses: a digital marketing agency that helps small businesses thrive and Eres Una Maravilla, a tiendita that celebrates Latinx cultura. Check out and follow her Instagram pages @Eres.Una.Maravilla, @IntimateCommLab and @ZenDigitalLA