According to the 2020 census, there are 62.1 million Hispanics in the United States or 18.7 percent of the population. It’s also the fastest growing ethnic group in the country. Yet even with the strength in numbers these data may suggest, many young Hispanics are still struggling to find success in higher education and the workplace. This episode is dedicated to better understanding how one university professor and the non-profit Hispanic 100 Educational Foundation is making a difference in the lives of young people who will someday be our leaders. Guest Bio Dr. Eric Rodriguez eaches a variety of business, management, and I/O psychology courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at California State University–Fullerton, as well as Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California. He is also a principal and founder of Focused Leader Consulting Group, a boutique consulting firm centered on people and organizational development. In that practice, Eric and his colleagues leverage a variety of learning tools and interventions to improve relationships and drive organizational performance. Eric earned his doctoral degree from Pepperdine University and a MBA from Azusa Pacific University, as well as a wide array of certifications in a variety of assessments and learning programs. Eric is also dedicated to giving back to the community as reflected in his work with the Hispanic 100’s Mentorship Program where he serves as co-chair. About the Hispanic 100 Foundation The Hispanic 100 organization is established to develop and promote leadership from within and from the Hispanic community and to advance free enterprise principles through advocacy and educational activities that impact the Hispanic population as it relates to the overall social and economic good. Links for This Episode: Hispanic100 eric@focusedldr.com focusedldr.com linkedin.com/in/focusedldr facebook.com/focusedldr Focused_leader On This Episode You’ll Learn: Some of the unique challenges first generation, Hispanic college students face The story of a successful, first generation Hispanic college student What the Hispanic 100 does Why mentoring is so valuable What does it take to give back