“Make it a great day or not the choice is yours.” These are words that this week’s guest, Christian Newton, strives to live out each day. Whether it be balancing school as a first generation college student, beginning his freshman year virtually in light of a pandemic, or navigating the journey of running for class president, he never loses sight of his power to keep life extraordinary. Join Abel and Isaac in Episode 7, to learn more about Christian’s college experience, his current campaign for sophomore class president, and his hopes for change this year at Texas A&M. Timestamps: 02:39 – Christian’s first-gen experience 06:12 – Motivations to attend college 08:27 – Starting freshman year virtually 12:08 – The importance of self advocacy 13:12 – Class president election process 16:29 – Christian’s current campaign Special thanks to Northwest Drive Train! Check them out here: https://nwdrivetrain.com Visit our website: https://firstgenaggies.wixsite.com/firstgenaggies Follow us on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/firstgenaggies https://twitter.com/firstgenaggies Credits: Intro/Outro Music produced by Venuser Listen here: https://youtu.be/mHTJ4ug-2_4

What started out as a small fundraising activity during her early years of college, ended up becoming a major success that changed her life. All thanks to one great idea, the support of family and friends, lots of hard work, the Aggie network, and really good cheesecake! This week’s guest, Diana Reyna, knows firsthand what it’s like to turn her talent into a business in order to support herself and her education. Join Abel and Isaac in Episode 8, to hear more of Diana’s story and to follow the journey of her business, Pastelitos, that she started while attending Texas A&M University. Timestamps: 02:44 – Diana’s first-gen experience 03:51 – About Pastelitos homemade cheesecakes 06:42 – The business journey 15:44 – Diana’s advice on starting a business 18:30 – The future of Pastelitos 25:15 – The impact Pastelitios has made Check out Pastelitos Co: https://www.instagram.com/pastelitosco/ Special thanks to Northwest Drive Train! Check them out here: https://nwdrivetrain.com Visit our website: https://firstgenaggies.wixsite.com/firstgenaggies Follow us on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/firstgenaggies https://twitter.com/firstgenaggies Credits: Intro/Outro Music produced by Venuser Listen here: https://youtu.be/mHTJ4ug-2_4

Howdy and welcome back to a fresh season of the First Generation Aggies Podcast! We have many exciting episodes planned this semester, and hope you will stay tuned for the journey. Join Abel and Isaac in Episode 6, as they highlight some of Bryan/College Station’s greatest eats. As college students we all get homesick from time to time, and what better way to remedy this than with a warm, tasty meal? Well you’re in luck because this town is full of local, family-owned restaurants that need your support now more than ever! Timestamps: 0:27 – Giveaway info! Woohoo! 1:38 – Shelia’s Homestyle Chicken 3:30 – Layne’s 5:06 – Fusion Peru 7:22 – Gumby’s 9:03 – The Remnant of Nawlins Special thanks to Northwest Drive Train! Check them out here: https://nwdrivetrain.com Visit our website: https://firstgenaggies.wixsite.com/firstgenaggies Follow us on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/firstgenaggies https://twitter.com/firstgenaggies Credits: Intro/Outro Music produced by Venuser Listen here: https://youtu.be/mHTJ4ug-2_4

We have a special episode planned to wrap up this opening season of the First Generation Aggies Podcast. This week we welcome current Texas A&M student, Irvin Ventura, to discuss his new book and topics of mental health, anxiety, and sharing one’s story. Join Abel and Isaac in Episode 5, the final episode of the semester, on this journey with Irvin and learn how his book came into fruition, advice on managing mental health in college, and what it means to let your old self go. Who knows, maybe after listening you too will be inspired to use your talents to share your own story. Timestamps: 4:39 – Get to know Irvin 6:49 – The beginnings of his book 21:11 – The motivation behind sharing his story 24:38 – Practices to help the mental health struggle 33:31 – Don’t get attached to your current self 37:47 – An opportunity to lead by example Check out Irvin’s book: https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B08CBMB2NR&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_6oHVFbZ90ED9Y Special thanks to Northwest Drive Train! Check them out here: https://nwdrivetrain.com Visit our website: https://firstgenaggies.wixsite.com/firstgenaggies Follow us on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/firstgenaggies https://twitter.com/firstgenaggies Credits: Intro/Outro Music produced by Venuser Listen here: https://youtu.be/mHTJ4ug-2_4

Navigating life in college can seem overwhelming at times especially as a first generation college student or high school student contemplating the decision to further their education. That’s why the First Generation Aggies Podcast is so excited to bring you these episodes full of helpful resources and the wisdom of those who have already walked in your shoes to make the journey a little easier. Join Texas A&M students, Abel Guerra and Isaac Valdez, each week as they share their experiences, and discuss topics related to academic success, degree opportunities, and more. Each episode features ways to strengthen your skills and grow as a successful student; from resume workshops to inspiring guests who will share their stories and motivations behind pursuing a college degree. Timestamps: 1:18 – What our podcast will entail 8:13 – Study tips 17:00 – Learn more about FGA 21:21 – What inspired our hosts to attend college 25:54 – Meet our sponsor Special thanks to Northwest Drive Train! Check them out here: https://nwdrivetrain.com Visit our website: https://firstgenaggies.wixsite.com/firstgenaggies Follow us on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/firstgenaggies https://twitter.com/firstgenaggies Credits: Intro/Outro Music produced by Venuser Listen here: https://youtu.be/mHTJ4ug-2_4

“The world is your oyster in college,” so take chances, figure out what you like, and prioritize those things. This is the wise advice of our first official guest, Cami Hernandez Merhar. In this episode, join Abel and Isaac as they speak with Cami about her role as Assistant Director of Mentoring at the Texas A&M Career Center. Listen along as she shares the countless resources the Career Center offers, advice on “finding your tribe,” and the journey that lead her to her dream job. Timestamps: 2:45 – Career Center resources 10:04 – Deciding to go to college 14:32 – Advice on changing majors 26:18 – “Design Your Life” 34:41 – College from Cami’s perspective 37:09 – Upcoming campus events Links mentioned in today’s episode: Career Center Website - https://careercenter.tamu.edu/ Career Center Virtual Walk-Ins - https://tamu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMsdeqsrzkrEtKmt3nYiRQa6E0WwZYOfTGH Career Center Events - https://calendar.tamu.edu/careercenter/view/month Bryan Stevenson: “We need to talk about injustice” Ted Talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2tOp7OxyQ8 Mentoring Programs: ExCEL - https://excel.tamu.edu/ Latino Logradores - https://dms.tamu.edu/engagement/first-year-programs/latino-logradores/ IDEAAL - https://tamuideaal.wordpress.com/ AMPLIFY | Women’s Mentoring Circle - https://studentlife.tamu.edu/wrc/programs/mentorship/ Pride Mentoring Program - https://studentlife.tamu.edu/lgbtq/programs/ FIVS Mentoring Program - https://mentoring.tamu.edu/p/p17 Special thanks to Northwest Drive Train! Check them out here: https://nwdrivetrain.com Visit our website: https://firstgenaggies.wixsite.com/firstgenaggies Follow us on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/firstgenaggies https://twitter.com/firstgenaggies Credits: Intro/Outro Music produced by Venuser Listen here: https://youtu.be/mHTJ4ug-2_4

Believe it or not as students we oftentimes are experiencing the same struggles. On top of that, we are surrounded by professors, advisors, mentors, and other leaders who have walked in our shoes and at one time also faced hardships. Any struggle you are facing now has already been faced by others who are willing to guide you through it and share their experiences. Always be on the lookout for these people. Join Abel and Isaac in episode 3 as they speak with Kelley O’Neal, Director of the Marilyn Kent Byrne Student Success Center. Learn more about what those common struggles amongst students are, and Mr. O’Neal’s advice on rising out of those struggles and maintaining success. Timestamps: 12:58 – Common struggles amongst students 15:06 – Key resources Mr. O’Neal recommends 17:33 – College experience as a student athlete 28:44 – Importance of finding your interests 36:12 – How to advocate for yourself 41:22 – Mr. O’Neal’s current projects Special thanks to Northwest Drive Train! Check them out here: https://nwdrivetrain.com Visit our website: https://firstgenaggies.wixsite.com/firstgenaggies Follow us on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/firstgenaggies https://twitter.com/firstgenaggies Credits: Intro/Outro Music produced by Venuser Listen here: https://youtu.be/mHTJ4ug-2_4

“It is better to have four quarters than 100 pennies,” a quote by FGA treasurer, Israel Villigran, that ties in perfectly with this episode’s topic: money. As college students, money is often the last topic we want to discuss or think about, but today we’re going there! Join Abel and Israel in Episode 4 as they speak with Nick Kilmer, Assistant Director of the Money Education Center. As a former A&M student himself, Nick understands the money struggles students are facing and emphasizes the importance of opening up this conversation. Tune in to today’s episode for discussion on some of those financial questions everyone is contemplating, and then continue this conversation by scheduling your own appointment with the Money Education Center down below! Timestamps: 4:40 – The Money Education Center in a nutshell 7:42 – Current projects Nick Kilmer is working on 14:37 – The fear of not being able to attend college 20:10 – The power of the Aggie Network 29:16 – Nick’s words of wisdom Money Education Center Advising: https://money.tamu.edu/ONE-ON-ONE-ADVISING Special thanks to Northwest Drive Train! Check them out here: https://nwdrivetrain.com Visit our website: https://firstgenaggies.wixsite.com/firstgenaggies Follow us on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/firstgenaggies https://twitter.com/firstgenaggies Credits: Intro/Outro Music produced by Venuser Listen here: https://youtu.be/mHTJ4ug-2_4