Maria Jose Cook moved to the U.S. at 14, undocumented and uncertain about her future. Today, Maria is the Associate Director at ISPOR and travels the world connecting leaders in healthcare. In this episode, Maria shares how self-advocacy, grit, and staying true to her values helped her build a fulfilling life and career. A must-listen for anyone navigating uncertainty or carving out their unique path. Let's jump in.#podcast #healthcare #journey #nonprofit #latina #latinaleadership #story
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Ep. 189 – Sam Garcia | From STC to Harvard Law and Venture Capital
This week on The Way to College Podcast, I’m joined by Sam Garcia—a Mission, Texas native who went from taking dual credit courses at South Texas College to earning a degree from Harvard Law and becoming a partner at the venture capital firm Amplo.In this episode, Sam shares:How early planning (and a few strategic A’s) helped him get into Harvard LawWhy dual credit courses in high school can shape your future more than you thinkWhat it means to take smart risks—even when you don’t have it all figured outHis path from law school to teaching at Harvard and leading VC dealsThe story behind writing for Forbes and The Guardian while still a student💡 Whether you're a student, educator, or professional, Sam’s journey is a masterclass in intentionality, hustle, and saying yes to opportunity.🎧 Listen now and learn how to stack the odds in your favor—starting today.
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Ep 188 - Celia Chomon Zamora
From immigrant kid in Miami to Executive Director of a national organization, Dr. Celia Chomon Zamora’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and radical self-belief. In this episode, we talk about the power of language, walking away from West Point, navigating rejection, and finding your true calling—even when it doesn’t come with a roadmap. Celia opens up about leading with purpose, advocating for heritage speakers, and why failure is often the best teacher.🎓 Whether you're a student, educator, or mid-career dreamer, this is for you. Let's jump in!
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The Way to College Podcast - Ep 187 - Sharon Samjitsingh
What does it take to leave a stable career, move countries, and start a company from scratch—all in the name of purpose? In this episode, Sharon Samjitsingh, CEO and co-founder of Healthcare Originals, shares her inspiring journey from Trinidad and Tobago to Rochester, NY, where she launched a startup helping people with asthma and COPD thrive. We talk resilience, first-gen college life, the immigrant founder experience, and why the long game matters more than overnight success. Check it out!#EdEquity #WomenInTech #FoundersJourney #CollegeToCareer #TheWayToCollegePodcast #ImmigrantFounder #FirstGenSuccess
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The Way to College Podcast - Ep 186 - Felida Villarreal
This week, Felida Villarreal, President and CEO of VIDA eht no em snioj ,podcast. From early college to CPA to nonprofit leadership, Felida shares how her educational journey and openness to opportunity led her to mission-driven work transforming lives across the Rio Grande Valley. This is definitely an episode you don't want to miss.
The Way to College Podcast examines the multiple roads we take to get to college and beyond. Guests share their individual stories of success, failure, and what they did to push forward to find success.
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