Our guest on this episode is a TRIO alum, past-president of TRIO New Mexico, and currently serves as an advisor for TRIO Student Support Services program at San Juan College...we welcome Rick Martinez to the podcast!

Listen as Rick shares about his own path to education - navigating careers, the college space as a non-traditional student, battling imposter syndrome, and serving TRIO as a professional.

Community Announcement Links:

TRIO Nation: Your voice is working! While Congress is moving to protect TRIO funding for 2026, we must remain vigilant. Administrative shifts still threaten the stability of TRIO grants. Take action now: Call your Congressional representatives today. Thank them for their bipartisan support and urge them to ensure TRIO programs remain fully funded and operational without delay. Let them know…TRIO Works!

• Find your Congressional Representative

North Carolina Central University’s TRIO Student Access and Success Conference 2027

Connect with the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE)

Connect with the National TRIO Alumni Association

A heartfelt thanks to our individual donors and Patrons on Patreon

• Dr. Jamie Motley
• Dr. Ryan Barone
• Dr. Jeff Nepute
• Angelica Vialpando
• Angelica Valdez
• Rosario Riley
• Eric LaMaster
• Jeff Kahlden
• Felicia Rivera
• Rick Martinez
• Dawn BlueSky-Hill
• Orrin Dewbre
• Kurt Munz-Raper
• Myria Davis
• Jaded Electronics

A huge thanks to our corporate sponsors

• TRIOjoblist.com
• NOSOTROS Education Center (NEC)
• TheTRIOstore.com powered by Proforma
• StudentAccess

Cover Art and Voice Over Work

Cover Art: Raul Perez

Voice Over Ad for NOSTROS Education Center and StudentAccess: Amelia Castaneda

The Let’s Talk TRIO Podcast Team

John Russell: Music Composer, Music Performer, Audio Engineer, and Post-Production Editor

Amelia Castaneda: Script Supervisor, Marketing Manager, Social Media Manager, and Producer

Juan M. Rivas: Executive Producer & Host

Follow us on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram

Visit the Let’s Talk TRIO Podcast Webpage

This is a special edition series featuring the first-gen students and staff at Colorado State University!

Our guest for this episode is Jalen Batrez, a third year student studying Social Work and Counseling at CSU. Listen to Jalen's experiences as a first-gen student navigating higher education.

A heartfelt thanks to our individual donors and Patrons on Patreon

• Dr. Jamie Motley
• Dr. Ryan Barone
• Dr. Jeff Nepute
• Angelica Vialpando
• Angelica Valdez
• Rosario Riley
• Eric LaMaster
• Jeff Kahlden
• Felicia Rivera
• Rick Martinez
• Dawn BlueSky-Hill
• Orrin Dewbre
• Kurt Munz-Raper
• Myria Davis
• Jaded Electronics

A huge thanks to our corporate sponsors

• TRIOjoblist.com
• NOSOTROS Education Center (NEC)
• TheTRIOstore.com powered by Proforma
• StudentAccess

SPECIAL THANKS to the TRIO PROGRAMS at COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY and the FIRST GENERATION STUDENT GROUP ORGANIZATION for this COLLABORATION!

Cover Art and Voice Over Work

Cover Art: Raul Perez

Voice Over Ad for NOSTROS Education Center and StudentAccess: Amelia Castaneda

The Let’s Talk TRIO Podcast Team

John Russell: Music Composer, Music Performer, Audio Engineer, and Post-Production Editor

Amelia Castaneda: Script Supervisor, Marketing Manager, Social Media Manager, and Producer

Juan M. Rivas: Executive Producer & Host

Follow us on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram

Visit the Let’s Talk TRIO Podcast Webpage

This is a special edition series featuring the first-gen students and staff at Colorado State University!

Our guest for this episode is Karina Guillen, Program Coordinator for Key Communities. Listen to Karina's experiences as a first-gen student and professional navigating higher education.

A heartfelt thanks to our individual donors and Patrons on Patreon

• Dr. Jamie Motley
• Dr. Ryan Barone
• Dr. Jeff Nepute
• Angelica Vialpando
• Angelica Valdez
• Rosario Riley
• Eric LaMaster
• Jeff Kahlden
• Felicia Rivera
• Rick Martinez
• Dawn BlueSky-Hill
• Orrin Dewbre
• Kurt Munz-Raper
• Myria Davis
• Jaded Electronics

A huge thanks to our corporate sponsors

• TRIOjoblist.com
• NOSOTROS Education Center (NEC)
• TheTRIOstore.com powered by Proforma
• StudentAccess

SPECIAL THANKS to the TRIO PROGRAMS at COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY and the FIRST GENERATION STUDENT GROUP ORGANIZATION for this COLLABORATION!

Cover Art and Voice Over Work

Cover Art: Raul Perez

Voice Over Ad for NOSTROS Education Center and StudentAccess: Amelia Castaneda

The Let’s Talk TRIO Podcast Team

John Russell: Music Composer, Music Performer, Audio Engineer, and Post-Production Editor

Amelia Castaneda: Script Supervisor, Marketing Manager, Social Media Manager, and Producer

Juan M. Rivas: Executive Producer & Host

Follow us on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram

Visit the Let’s Talk TRIO Podcast Webpage