Academic Woman Amplified

Dr. Sandra Soto Santiago has come full circle in her career, finding passion and purpose in helping others with similar backgrounds to access higher education. She talks about being a first generation college student and the first in her family to earn graduate degrees. She also shares her personal story, being raised by a single mother who worked hard and emphasized education for a better life for her family; moving from Puerto Rico to the US then back to Puerto Rico; the challenges she faced and people who helped her along the way. We discuss how vital mentors are to youth who come from impoverished and underprivileged backgrounds, and the ways Sandra is now actively engaged in this valuable work. Key points discussed: Growing up as the child of a single mom who struggled to provide for her family and emphasized the need for her kids to get an education [5:00] Moving to the US and the shift from being  top of the class to struggling with English and getting poor grades [8:00] The importance of mentors en