Episode 66: The Transformational Power of Education

TGen Talks

Paul J. Luna, president and CEO of Helios Education Foundation, sits down with TGen Talks to discuss the transformational power of education, in particular, how internships help prepare students for future success. Helios Education Foundation supports postsecondary attainment for all students, especially low-income and underrepresented communities, in Arizona and Florida. Earlier this month, Helios committed funding to extend the TGen Bioscience Leadership Academy (TBLA) through 2028 (see related story). TBLA spun out of TGen’s Helios Scholars Program in 2018, with a focus on supporting high-school students interested in careers in biomedical research and medicine. In addition to the Helios-funded programs at TGen, Luna discusses Helios’ focus on helping students achieve educational success beyond high school and the importance of opening the programs to all students, regardless of background. And how rewarding it is to help students find a track to success, whatever that success may be. Students should allow themselves to dream big, he says. Be willing to apply, be willing to say, I want to be part of that unique cohort of talented students who are going to learn and evolve and build a network and maybe, one day, find the cure for Alzheimer’s or cancer.