In honor of the end of Season 5, Ana and Leri embark on a journey of reflection, celebration, and anticipation as we bid farewell to this season. Ana and Leri share personal reflections on the key takeaways, the most memorable conversations, and the impact of these discussions on their own journey. But the season finale isn't just about looking back; it's about looking forward. So, join us for this momentous season finale as we celebrate the past, embrace the present, and set our sights on a future filled with endless possibilities. Whether you're a longtime listener or just tuning in, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who believes in the power of vision and the journey toward a brighter tomorrow.

In this episode of Project NextGen, co-hosts Anna and Leri delve into the significance of celebrating wins as first-generation individuals. They tackle the challenges first-gen students face in acknowledging and appreciating their accomplishments. Sharing their personal experiences, they reflect on the prestigious Dr. Bobby Leadership Award and the Presidential Volunteer Award they received, their initial reactions, and the underlying reasons why celebrating can be a complex endeavor. Join them on this insightful journey as they explore the complexities of celebrating wins as first-gen individuals and offer valuable perspectives.

Executive Director Charbel returns to Project NextGen with a special interview into the world of visionary advertising with Tim Sok. This episode reveals Tim's journey as a first-generation entrepreneur and his unique approach to transforming bold ideas into highly profitable advertisements. Discover how Tim's innovative mindset, artistic intuition, and problem-solving skills have propelled him to advocate for first-generation individuals in the advertising industry successfully. Gain insights into his commitment to making a difference for clients and humanity. Don't miss this inspiring conversation that highlights the next generation of global leaders and forward thinkers as we learn from Tim Sok's experiences and expertise.

In this episode of Project NextGen, our hosts, Leri and Ana, sit down with Nury Lizeth Castro, Director of Diversity Education and Training at Agnes Scott College and a full-time doctoral student at the University of Dayton. Nury shares her story as a first-generation American and college graduate, growing up in Los Angeles, California, and Durham, North Carolina. She discusses her upbringing, the values instilled in her by her immigrant parents, and the guiding principle that drives her work as an educator: "Ubuntu: I am because you are; you are; therefore, I am." Nury talks about her experience as a university and college administrator and her current role in creating equitable and accessible education for people of minoritized identities and backgrounds. Tune in to hear about Nury's unique perspective as a first-generation advocate and how her passion for community building and social equity drives her work.

Staring our fifth season of Project NextGen with new hosts, Leri Argueta and Ana Maria Villegas -- both Board Members of the Georgia First Generation Foundation -- share their personal journeys as first-generation leaders. Leri discusses his role as Senior Assistant Director for Diversity Initiatives at Georgia Tech and his work advocating for underserved students. Ana shares her experience as a first-generation college graduate and her passion for economics and DEI. They both talk about the obstacles they've faced and the resources and mentoring they wish they had when starting out in their careers. Join them as they discuss their goals for the podcast and how they hope to inspire and empower other first-generation leaders.

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Trigger Warning: Discussion and/or mention of death and suicide in this episode.

Born in Colombia, Ana Maria Villegas is a first-generation college graduate and professional. She graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, fully funded by merit scholarships. She finds great interest in analyzing the reasoning behind decisions and using data to predict and plan for a better future, which drew her to the study of economics. She has joined one of the world’s largest consulting firms, where she proudly represents Latinas in Business. Ana also advocates for first-generation students, aiming to provide the resources and mentoring they need to achieve their career aspirations. With her passion for DEI, she serves as a Georgia First Generation Foundation board member and actively volunteers and leads several DEI efforts. Ana enjoys training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in her free time, a martial art that challenges her physically and mentally. Many would describe Ana as a reliable, ambitious, and joyful young woman.

Caroline Twum is a first-generation Ghanaian American and an alumna of the University of Georgia where she studied biological sciences. She is currently a third-year medical student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She plans to specialize in primary care or emergency but still remains very open to the many opportunities and possibilities that medicine provides. Caroline hopes to one day open a clinic in her father's hometown of Wenchi in the West African country of Ghana. This episode looks into her journey thus far and how she managed to persevere despite the current state of the world.

Leri Argueta, MPA, serves as the inaugural Senior Assistant Director for Diversity Initiatives for the Georgia Institute of Technology. His role oversees the support, expansion, and advocacy for a growingly diverse and underserved student population across all academic divisions and majors. Argueta has served in several fellowship programs, including the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education Policy Fellowship Program, the GALEO Institute for Leadership, and the North-American Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute. Argueta has been recognized with several accolades for his work in Diversity and Inclusion including the 2020 Lillian Williams Champion of Diversity Award, the 2021 Myron G. Burney Award for Inclusion and Access from the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling, and the 2021 Dr. Bobby Gueh Leadership Award from the Georgia First Generation Foundation.

Valyn Lyric Turner is a spoken word artist, actor, and singer-songwriter from Buford, Georgia. She is a 2019 graduate of Lanier High School and currently attends Boston University as a Posse scholar. In 2018, Valyn's passion for poetry took her to the national stage as representative for the state of Georgia in Poetry Out Loud, a poetry recitation contest sponsored by the NEA. She is now proud to have collaborated with numerous schools, businesses, and nonprofits across the country, including in her home county of Gwinnett, sharing her love of language in hopes of inspiring, empowering, and serving others through her craft. She is also the recipient of Georgia First's 2019 Dr. Bobby Gueh Leadership Award, recognizing community members for their outstanding achievements and ongoing contributions to first-generation students and the community.

It has been one year since we interviewed Chris Parra, now a rising senior and Civil Engineering Student at Kennesaw State University. It has also been one year since the world responded to the Coronavirus pandemic with a shift in how we handle our routine. This special episode will look at how much has changed in one year for Chris, and how his aspirations have only gotten stronger since then.