Considering that Minnesota has one of the largest achievement gaps across socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic demographics, what needs to change so education is equitable for all people? In this episode, Kayla Ritter Rickels talks about the value of understanding how education needs to be accessible and equitable for all. Life After Now is brought to you by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

Is it possible to turn your passion into a career? In this episode, Uzo Ngwu shares about how being an artist and believing in herself has helped her find the confidence to achieve her goals to pursue artistic passions. Uzo talks about her journey of activating her creativity by using artwork as a springboard to other creative pursuits. She also shares about the importance of school art programs and how they become vehicles for entering into creative communities and connecting with others by sharing your creativity with the world. Life After Now is brought to you by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

Markus Flynn talks about the value of representation in education, specifically with Black male educators, in the Minneapolis and St. Paul public school systems. Combined, these school systems serve approximately 70% students of color while the teacher corps itself is only 17% of color. Markus Flynn talks about his work as the Executive Director of Black Men Teach, an organization whose goal is to create the conditions where Black students thrive in education. Life After Now is brought to you by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

We know there are many reasons why pursuing your education might seem impossible, but we have also heard so many stories about why it’s worth it, that you can do it, and that there are resources out there to help you along the way. Teresa Lugo, a high school community bilingual navigator from Austin, MN,  joins the podcast to talk about some of the disparities in high school graduation rates and why high schoolers might opt out of continuing on with education. She also highlights the importance of supporting students who are making difficult choices between education and working when it can be so difficult to see the long term benefits. Life After Now is brought to you by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

Representation matters! Lara Gerhardson, the Outreach Liaison for the Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program (MISP), talks about her journey through higher education, including stops at Harvard and Boston University, and why it’s important to her to bring what she learned back to her community in Minnesota. There are many reasons to choose to continue on with postsecondary education and for Lara, giving back and helping others succeed in the same way she has is perhaps the most impactful one of all. Life After Now is brought to you by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

Are you trying to find your own community on campus? David Mesta talks about the benefits of staying active during your college experience, not only in class but also in extracurricular activities. For David, clubs and student groups opened up a whole new world for him. He gained a new social network, found opportunities to create change in areas that were important to him, and developed real-world skills. David also dispels the myth that “campus life” is only for four year institutions. He kept his calendar jam packed during his time at South Central College, a member of the Minnesota State system. Life After Now is brought to you by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

In this episode, Liz and Nimo Omar discuss how knowing your “story” and understanding what matters to you is a crucial part of staying grounded and finding your place in the world. Nimo shares stories about her process of soul searching, connecting with her family, and how her eventual involvement in student government and community activism led her to national exposure in movements for social justice and labor rights. Life After Now is brought to you by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

Money can be one of the most challenging aspects of our lives until we understand how to manage it. Preenon Huq talks about how understanding finances early in your life can have a dramatic influence on your ability to balance your income and make healthy financial choices. Preenon shares his perspective about how effectively managing his personal finances has contributed to his ability to stay focused on what’s important. Life After Now is brought to you by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

Rahje Branch, Senior Program Manager for Reach Higher Initiative, talks about fighting oppressive systems through education, the importance of rest, and paving the way for those that will come after you. She shares the story of her own “Activist Awakening” in college, and the responsibility she feels to members of her community - past, present, and future. Life After Now is brought to you by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

Dan-neya Yancey shares her experience finding a sense of belonging on campus while maintaining her identity, getting college credit in high school, being involved, and defining her own path to success. She also talks about public health equity and working with the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth. Life After Now is brought to you by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.