LEAD and The Power of First-Gen

Erin Kimura-Walsh has overseen the LEAD Scholars Program at Santa
Clara University since 2009 and is currently the Director of the
program. Erin was an undergraduate student in English and
Japanese at Santa Clara before earning an M.S. in Counseling from
San Francisco State University and a Ph.D. in Higher Education
from the University of California, Los Angeles. As the Director
of LEAD, she engages in strategic planning while overseeing the
day to day operations. She plans the long-term growth and
development of the program such as programming, courses,
fundraising, and strategic partnerships. She ensures the
successful implementation of LEAD Week and college success
activities throughout the year for first-generation college
students. Furthermore, Dr. Kimura-Walsh teaches courses for the
LEAD Scholars Program that focus on college success, leadership
skills, diversity, and equity in higher education.


In this episode Antonio brings on the Director of the LEAD
Scholars Program, Erin Kimura-Walsh, to speak on Erin’s
experience during her time as a student at SCU, the difference
between her experience and what she sees today, how the LEAD
Scholars Program was created in 2003, the conceptualization of
LEAD Week, academic and leadership growth opportunities in LEAD,
the impact LEAD has had on its students, reimagining LEAD to
maintain its effectiveness in a virtual setting, and the
significance of peer mentorship in LEAD.


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