GradChats is a space for graduate students to let loose and talk about the in's & out's of navigating life through graduate school. Through interviews, Q&A's, and hot topics, we hope to shed some light on the life of a graduate student and share tips on how to ace grad school.
Where the Real Learning Happens: The Power of Getting Involved
What happens outside the classroom can shape everything that comes after—and we’re closing the season with a powerful conversation you won’t want to miss.
For our final episode, we’re joined by Alex Ruiz, Senior Manager of Educational Partnerships at Dallas College and former EDGE Center Coordinator at UTA. With nearly a decade of experience in higher education, Alex shares insights on involvement beyond graduate school—professional organizations, networking, leadership, and the opportunities that can define your path.
As a first-generation college graduate, Alex brings both personal and professional perspective rooted in access, and student success. From hosting GradChats to leading initiatives that supported graduate student belonging, his journey comes full circle in this conversation.
📌 Connect With Us
Follow the EDGE Center on Instagram: @uta.edgecenter
Have ideas for guests or topics? Email us at EDGECenter@uta.edu
🎵 Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/night-drift/the-flow
10 Apr 2026
Navigating the Learning Curve: Lessons from the Real World
He's guided by experience and driven to inspire ☀️
In this episode of GradChats, we sit down with Martín Vásquez, Business Intelligence Analyst at GM Financial, to talk about what the transition from graduate school to the professional world really looks like.
From navigating the learning curve to applying technical skills in real business environments, Martín shares insights from his journey in business intelligence, automation, and AI.
If you're a graduate student thinking about your next step after graduation, this conversation is for you.
📌 Connect With Us
Follow the EDGE Center on Instagram: @uta.edgecenter
Have ideas for guests or topics? Email us at EDGECenter@uta.edu
🎵 Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/night-drift/the-flow
27 Feb 2026
Between the Course and the Classroom: Balancing Grad School and Game Day
🎓✨ She’s leveling up her game — on the green and in the classroom.
This month, we’re diving into what it really looks like to navigate grad school as a student‑athlete — and we’re joined by someone who knows that balance better than anyone: Salomé Arango, Division I golfer with the UTA Women's Golf team.
She’s been playing golf since she was four, earned her bachelor’s in General Business, and is now competing in her fifth year of collegiate golf while pursuing her master’s in Business Analytics. Talk about dedication! 🙌📚
📌 Connect With Us
Follow the EDGE Center on Instagram: @uta.edgecenter
Have ideas for guests or topics? Email us at EDGECenter@uta.edu
🎵 Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/night-drift/the-flow
5 Dec 2025
Start, Elevate, Maintain: A Guide to Launching Your Career
Your career journey starts long before graduation—and it’s built one intentional step at a time. 🪜
In this episode of GradChats, we sit down with Catalina Molina, Career Development Specialist at UTA’s EDGE Center, to unpack three essential strategies for launching and sustaining your professional success:
📂 How to Start: Keeping your resume, CV, and portfolio ready
🤝 How to Elevate: Building and maintaining authentic networks
🌟 How to Maintain: Staying visible and credible in your professional community
From practical tips on organizing your materials to insights on networking without the awkwardness, Catalina shares actionable advice to help you thrive beyond the degree.
Whether you’re preparing for graduation, navigating the job market, or simply looking to strengthen your professional presence, this conversation offers clarity, confidence, and inspiration for the road ahead.
📌 Connect With Us
Follow the EDGE Center on Instagram: @uta.edgecenter
Have ideas for guests or topics? Email us at EDGECenter@uta.edu
🎵 Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/night-drift/the-flow
31 Oct 2025
The Career Breakthrough: A Graduate's Roadmap to Professional Success
Graduation isn’t the finish line — it’s the starting point. 🎓✨
In this episode of GradChats, we sit down with Johnathan Hampton, UTA Master of Landscape Architecture alum and former EDGE Scholar, to talk about what life really looks like after grad school. From navigating first-job realities and interdisciplinary teamwork to unexpected lessons on taxes, benefits, and rest — yes, REST — Johnathan reminds us that growth doesn’t stop when the tassel turns.
Together, we explore:
🌱 The mindset shift from graduate student to full-time professional
🏢 What it’s like working in an interdisciplinary design firm
🧭 Why rest, reflection, and community matter during transitions
💸 The financial realities nobody prepares you for
🌿 Paying it forward — and embracing servant leadership
Whether you're preparing to graduate, entering the workforce, or trying to find balance on your own academic journey, this conversation offers grounded wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration for choosing growth over burnout — and remembering you're not meant to do it alone.
📌 Connect With Us
Follow the EDGE Center on Instagram: @uta.edgecenter
Have ideas for guests or topics? Email us at EDGECenter@uta.edu
🎵 Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/night-drift/the-flow (https://uppbeat.io/t/night-drift/the-flow)
26 Sept 2025
Reflections on the EDGE: Growth, Goals, & Grad Life
Charlas Entre Amigos is now GradChats - your source for everything on the graduate experience. Here at GradChats, we're committed to providing "Inspiration for the Journey, Not Just the Degree." As we embark on a new academic year, we invite you to join the EDGE Center team as they recap a year of graduate empowerment, development, and growth in education.
We’re kicking this season off by going back to where it all started. Tune in as we sit down with Nancy Zamora, EDGE Center Director, and Catalina Molina, EDGE Career Development Specialist, to recap our wins, our highlights, and shared hopes for the future.
Be sure to follow the EDGE Center on Instragram (@uta.edgecenter) to stay updated on all upcoming events & new episodes. Likewise, email us your guest, topic, question, and resource suggestions at EDGECenter@uta.edu (mailto:EDGECenter@uta.edu).
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/night-drift/the-flow
19 Sept 2025
Charlas Entre Amigos is now GradChats!
Charlas Entre Amigos is now GradChats - your "Inspiration for the Journey, Not Just the Degree."
The first episode of our new season premieres next Friday, September 26th at 9:00am (Central), but here's a teaser of what's to come!
Be sure to follow the EDGE Center on Instragram (@uta.edgecenter) to stay updated on all upcoming events & new episodes. Likewise, email us your guest, topic, question, and resource suggestions at EDGECenter@uta.edu (mailto:EDGECenter@uta.edu).
25 Apr 2025
Ciencia, Vida y Persistencia: A Scientist's Journey Through Academia and Research
Welcome back to our final episode of this second season of Charlas Entre Amigos! This time, we're highlighting Dr. Augusto César Hunt Serracín, a former EDGE Scholars, a UTA Doctoral Graduate, and a current Post-Doctoral Research Associate at our sister institution, The University of Texas at Dallas.
Listen and be inspired as Dr. Hunt Serracín shares his story about life, persistence, adversity, and triumph.
⚠️ATTENTION ⚠️ Charlas Entre Amigos will be rebranding soon to better capture and showcase the graduate student experience. While the branding and marketing may change, we're committed to pulling back the curtain on grad school and sharing tips & tricks to help YOU succeed.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram (@uta.edgecenter) to stay updated on our new look and Season 3's release. Email us your suggested topics, questions, or resources at EDGECenter@uta.edu.
28 Mar 2025
Liderazgo en Acción: Modeling Service & Philanthropy for Future Leaders
Welcome back to another episode of Charlas Entre Amigos! This time, we're highlighting Amanda Perez, MEd, and her career inspiring and motivating students in Greek Life at The University of Texas at Arlington.
Listen and be inspired as Amanda shares her remarkable journey with us, including her successes and recent recognition as one of Arlington's 40 Under 40.
We thank you for your continued support and listenership - be sure to follow us on Instagram (@uta.edgecenter). You can also email your suggested topics, questions, or resources for Charlas Entre Amigos to EDGECenter@uta.edu.
28 Feb 2025
Elevando Voces: The Journey from First Gen Graduate to Advocate
As we continue this second season of Charlas Entre Amigos, we'd like to welcome you back for another episode! Tune in as we feature an interview with Dr. Jennifer Luken Sutton, Expert Guide at FirstGen Forward, a triple alumnus from UT Arlington, Texas TRIO Achiever, and national advocate for first generation student success. Listen and be inspired as Dr. Luken Sutton shares her remarkable journey with us, including the challenges faced and the opportunities they brought.
We thank you for your continued support and listenership - be sure to follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/uta.edgecenter/). You can also email your suggested topics, questions, or resources for Charlas Entre Amigos to EDGECenter@uta.edu (mailto:edgecenter@uta.edu).
29 Nov 2024
Lecciones Aprendidas: What I Wish I Knew Before Starting Graduate School
Future Dr. Elizabeth Rubio shares her remarkable journey as a PhD student in Mathematics and Internal Vice President of the Latinx Graduate Student Association, inspiring listeners with her resilience and tenacity.
25 Oct 2024
Voces de Liderazgo: A Vision for Hispanic Graduate Success
This episode of Charlas Entre Amigos features an interview with the future Dr. David Reynoso, current PhD student in Aerospace Engineering at UTA and Past President of the Latinx Graduate Student Association. Tune in and be inspired as David shares his educational journey, and provides insight into the efforts behind the establishment & continued growth of LGSA.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/uta.edgecenter/). You can also email your suggested topics, questions, or resources for Charlas Entre Amigos to EDGECenter@uta.edu.
27 Sept 2024
Chingona y Orgullosa: From Identity Struggles to Empowering Comunidad
Charlas Entre Amigos is back for a second season and we're excited to continue bringing you insight to the graduate experience!
This season, we're kicking things off with Dr. Jessica Lynn Sanchez, Assistant Professor of Practice from the School of Social Work at UTA. Tune in as Dr. Sanchez shares her story and be inspired by the feats of this "Mujer Legendaria".
Be sure to follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/uta.edgecenter/). You can also email your suggested topics, questions, or resources for Charlas Entre Amigos to EDGECenter@uta.edu.
24 May 2024
Trazando el Camino: A Professor’s Guide to Graduate Success
Charlas Entre Amigos is the place to go for insight on the graduate experience!
This month’s episode features a conversation with Dr. Daniela Palmer, Assistant Professor of Biology at UTA. Tune in as Dr. Palmer discusses her graduate journey, and shares insights on how to leverage graduate fellowships to maximize your career potential.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram @uta.edgecenter. You can also email your suggested topics, questions, or resources for Charlas Entre Amigos to EDGECenter@uta.edu (mailto:edgecenter@uta.edu).
26 Apr 2024
Buscando el Balance: Surviving Burnout & Prioritizing Self-Care
Charlas Entre Amigos is the place to go for insight on the graduate experience!
This month’s episode features a conversation with Tiffany Aguirre, MS – a current UTA student pursuing her PhD in Psychology with an emphasis in Neuroscience. Tune in as we discuss Tiffany’s academic journey, the effects of burnout, and how to maintain a healthy balance while in graduate school. ¡Te esperamos!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram - @uta.edgecenter. You can also email your suggested topics, questions, or resources for Charlas Entre Amigos to EDGECenter@uta.edu (mailto:EDGECenter@uta.edu).
29 Mar 2024
¡Bienvenidos! to the EDGE Center
The wait is over and Charlas Entre Amigos is here! This first episode features a converstion with Nancy Zamora, EDGE Project Director, and Catalina Molina, EDGE Career Development Specialist. Tune in to learn more about the EDGE Center y la gente that makes it all possible!
4 Mar 2024
¿Están listos?
Charlas Entre Amigos, the new podcast from the EDGE Center at The University of Texas at Arlington, is coming soon! Listen in for a preview of what's to come.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
835,230
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 32 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
17
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
32
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