In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Rafael Almanzar, a Bronx native and the Director of Peer Mentoring and First-Gen Student Success at Texas State University. Like many of my guests, Dr. Almanzar didn’t always envision college in his future. Yet, his path led him to become a passionate advocate for first-generation students, helping them navigate their educational journeys with the same resilience and determination that shaped his own. Tune in as we dive into his inspiring story, from unexpected beginnings to his pivotal role in higher education today. #podcast #podcastepisode #newepisode #podcastlife #firstgensuccess #firstgenstudents #highered #studentsuccess #collegejourney #mentorshipmatters #educationmatters #texasstateuniversity #motivationalmondays