Last week, I had the pleasure to return to my hometown of Texarkana, Arkansas to deliver a Back to School keynote speech in front of many of the same educators who transformed my life. I shared two valuable moments from my upbringing to provide some insight into what motivated me to dream big when my family history, society, and statistics told me otherwise. I hope you enjoy.

My social media accounts:

Instagram: instagram.com/thativyleagueguy

Twitter: twitter.com/ivyleagueguy

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Notes-From-The-Ivy-League-151723779004216/

Mentioned in this episode:

QuestBridge: questbridge.org

Ryan (a sophomore at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University and educator at Teens Grow Greens in Milwaukee) was recently granted a scholarship named in his honor by U.S. Cellular's "The Future of Good" program and featured in Former First Lady Michelle Obama's "Better Make Room" campaign. He joins the podcast to discuss his passion for teaching teens, having a growth mindset, keeping his eye on the prize, and more.

My social media accounts:

Instagram: instagram.com/thativyleagueguy

Twitter: twitter.com/ivyleagueguy

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Notes-From-The-Ivy-League-151723779004216/

Mentioned in this episode:

Teens Grow Greens - https://www.teensgrowgreens.org/

Better Make Room - https://www.bettermakeroom.org/

The Future of Good - https://www.thefutureofgood.com/

Sierra, a certified yoga instructor, QuestBridge scholar, and founder of Project Mishran-- an organization based in Rajasthan, India, created by and for a socially and economically disadvantaged community--joins the podcast to discuss the origins of her organization, the importance of gratitude, the pros and cons of accepting a full-ride scholarship, and more.

My social media accounts:

Instagram: instagram.com/thativyleagueguy

Twitter: twitter.com/ivyleagueguy

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Notes-From-The-Ivy-League-151723779004216/

Mentioned in this episode:

Project Mishran: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheMishranCoop#items

Rules for a Knight: https://www.amazon.com/Rules-Knight-Ethan-Hawke/dp/0307962334

QuestBridge: Questbridge.org

Elvis (Barry College '15), current MBA student at Arizona State, Bonner Scholarship recipient, and the youngest of six (the first of his family to graduate from high school and college) talks about dreaming big, working hard to honor his mother’s sacrifice, positivity, and more.

My social media accounts:

Instagram: instagram.com/thativyleagueguy 

Twitter: twitter.com/ivyleagueguy 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Notes-From-The-Ivy-League-151723779004216/

Mentioned in this episode:

Bonner Foundation: Bonner.org

Forward Focus (Arizona State): https://wpcarey.asu.edu/mba-programs/full-time/curriculum

Upward Bound: https://www2.ed.gov/programs/trioupbound/index.html?exp=0

The Other Wes Moore: https://www.amazon.com/Other-Wes-Moore-Name-Fates/dp/0385528205

Trixie (Smith College '17), an organic farmer, political activist, and proud Vermonter, swings by to share her experiences growing up in rural New England, her time at Smith, being proud of one's background, and more.

My social media accounts:

Instagram: instagram.com/thativyleagueguy 

Twitter: twitter.com/ivyleagueguy 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Notes-From-The-Ivy-League-151723779004216/

Just a quick word thanking the guests, listeners, and supporters of the show.

If you think someone you know would like to listen please share it with them!

My social media accounts:

Instagram: instagram.com/thativyleagueguy 

Twitter: twitter.com/ivyleagueguy 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Notes-From-The-Ivy-League-151723779004216/

Karen --a 2nd year medical student, activist, and undocumented immigrant--stops by to give deeper insight on challenges and opportunities surrounding the undocumented student identity, not compromising your ambitions to satisfy others, and the importance of actively seeking out mentorship relevant to your personal interests.

My social media accounts:

Instagram: instagram.com/thativyleagueguy 

Twitter: twitter.com/ivyleagueguy 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Notes-From-The-Ivy-League-151723779004216/ 

Mentioned in this episode:

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals - https://www.uscis.gov/archive/frequently-asked-questions

QuestBridge - www.Questbridge.org

Pre-Health Dreamers - http://www.phdreamers.org/

Gates Millenium Scholars Program - http://www.gmsp.org/

Hung, Yale ’15, an educator, bodybuilder, and future data analyst visits to chat about accepting his first-gen/low-income identity, networking to overcome imposter syndrome, grit, and more.

My social media accounts:

Instagram: instagram.com/thativyleagueguy 

Twitter: twitter.com/ivyleagueguy 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Notes-From-The-Ivy-League-151723779004216/ 

Mentioned in this episode:

Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America - http://ledascholars.org/

IvyG - https://www.facebook.com/team1vyG/

Pomodoro Technique - https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique

5 Second Rule - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI2VQ-ZsNr0

Alejandra Collado (NYU ’17), who is currently a Program Coordinator for Brooklyn Law School's Public Service Law Center, chats with me about leaning into short-term discomfort for long-term gains, staying in your lane, and the need for more demonstrated support from colleges and universities.

My social media accounts:

Instagram: instagram.com/thativyleagueguy 

Twitter: twitter.com/ivyleagueguy 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Notes-From-The-Ivy-League-151723779004216/ 

Show Notes: https://www.facebook.com/notes/notes-from-the-ivy-league/episode-8-alejandra/171139450395982/

Karléh Wilson (Yale ’16), a record-breaking athlete, activist, and new mother, joins me to discuss the importance of building a legacy, focusing on what matters most in life, and pushing yourself to excel despite what others may say.

My social media accounts:

Instagram: instagram.com/thativyleagueguy 

Twitter: twitter.com/ivyleagueguy 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Notes-From-The-Ivy-League-151723779004216/ 

Show sponsor - First Gen and Juice: www.facebook.com/firstgenandjuice/ 

Show notes: https://www.facebook.com/notes/notes-from-the-ivy-league/episode-7-karl%C3%A9h/171138910396036/