Episodes 66 & 67: The Stories of Our New Board Members

Special Episode

Oct 23

Written By HTC

As a pending nonprofit status organization (501c3), we have a board of directors to support our mission to democratize information for fellow first gens.

The role of the board is to assure our listeners and stakeholders that our organization is in good hands. They will support us in establishing broad goals, supporting executive duties, and ensuring the organization has adequate, well-managed resources to continue to bring you the opportunities, resources, and support to navigate the college journey and strive towards our vision of an equitable society where first generation college students can reach their full potential.

The board helps guide us in providing you, our listeners, the best and most effective content to reach our mission. In our second year we have 2 new board members joining past board members Bird Williams and Dr. Roland Smith. We are happy to have them on-board and are excited for you to get to know them a little better too. They have great stories and are passionate about giving back to their communities and providing support to students.

In this episode you will hear from:

Episode 66: Board Member R. Mac Griswold, Ph.D -

Giving Back to the First Gen Community via Student Affairs & Programs in Higher Education

In this episode Luz chats with Mac as he walks us through his college and post-college journey. Mac may have had a rocky start as an undergrad but through trying activities outside the classroom and with the help of mentors on his journey he was able to discover his passion and set off on a journey where he could make the most impact. He makes sure to remind us about the importance of inner reflection and really diving deep to understand what matters to you, where your values lie, and how you can align your passions with other aspects of your life. He joins our board with many years of experience helping students in higher education through programs, civic engagement, service, and student affairs.

Episode 67: Board Member Erika Carlsen -

Finding a Path to Student Empowerment through Leadership Development

In this episode Luz chats with Erika as she shares her experience as she navigated her identity, figured out how to make the most out of her college experience, and figuring out her place in the world. She may have started off with a sense of loneliness but eventually found her support community and mentors that helped guide her along the way to eventually lead her to her fulfilling work of leadership development and empowering others. She reminds us to be open to new opportunities and experiences and always remember to be aware of your wellness and practice self-love.

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