What if the revolution in education isn’t just about policy or paperwork—but about seeing someone fully, without pity, and showing up with consistency and compassion?
Welcome back to Beyond the Quo—the podcast where we dismantle outdated narratives of success, leadership, and fulfillment. I’m your host, Stacey Luces—executive coach, reinvention strategist, and founder of the Living Beyond Movement.
For over two decades, I’ve walked with leaders through burnout, breakdowns, and bold reinventions. And one thing I’ve learned? Transformation rarely starts with a checklist—it starts with a whisper. A moment. A mentor. Someone who sees more in you than you’ve been taught to see in yourself.
And today’s guest is the embodiment of that truth.
Meet Christine Sylvain—TEDx speaker, community builder, and award-winning founder of Path to College, a nonprofit on a mission to close the college access gap for high-potential, low-income students.
But Christine doesn’t just talk equity—she builds it. As the mixed-race daughter of an immigrant, she knows what it means to navigate identity, scarcity, and systems that weren’t built for everyone. She took that experience and turned it into something transformative—from the inside out.
In this conversation, we talk about:
• Education that empowers, not just evaluates.
• Burnout recovery and boundary-setting.
• Reparenting ourselves after decades of over-functioning.
• The link between personal wellness and collective change.
• And how mentorship can be the spark that redefines a life—not by fixing, but by seeing.
This episode is deeply human. It’s full of heart, truth, and tangible takeaways. If you're in the work of impact, leadership, or just raising the next generation—this one’s for you.
So grab your journal, your favorite cup of whatever, and let’s get into it.
🌍 Want more conversations like this?
Join the Rising Beyond Power Collective—our free global community for women leaders who are done playing small and ready to redefine success on their own terms:
👉 https://www.skool.com/risingbeyondglobalcommunity/about
🎧 In this episode:
• 02:22 The Challenges and Triumphs of Low-Income Students
• 04:10 The Importance of Long-Term Mentorship
• 11:20 The Role of Stress and Self-Care in Achievement
• 25:50 The Immigrant Experience and Grit
• 31:27 Teaching Financial Responsibility to Kids
• 33:47 The Importance of Mentorship
• 42:12 Challenges in the Education System
• 47:00 Building Community and Giving Back
💡 Key Takeaways:
• High Achievement Looks Different in Marginalized Communities
Christine redefines achievement—not by GPA, but by grit. Her students often juggle part-time jobs, care for siblings, and translate medical paperwork—all while navigating school. That’s excellence.
• Mentorship and Belonging Change Lives
It’s not a single scholarship that creates success—it’s consistent care. Christine’s long-term, trauma-informed mentorship model cultivates safety, confidence, and generational ripple effects.
• You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Lead Powerfully
Christine let go of the myth that leaders must be polished. Her openness about divorce, burnout, and healing has only deepened her impact—and made her leadership magnetic.
🔥 Feeling inspired? Don’t keep it to yourself.
Subscribe, share, and rate Beyond the Quo five stars. Let’s amplify voices, disrupt the status quo, and lead lives that are truly our own.
✨ Connect with Stacey Luces
• Free Global Community: Rising Beyond Power Collective
📩 Connect with Christine Sylvain
• LinkedIn/Instagram: @citizenchristine @pathtocollege
• Website: www.pathtocollege.org