Dr. Z Nicolazzo, a leading voice in transgender studies, joins her doctoral students Clar Gobuyan and Pin-Ru Su to unpack pressing issues surrounding trans students in higher education. They discuss the importance of kinship and chosen family, highlighting how these support systems can foster academic success. The conversation also addresses the disconnect between institutional policies and the real experiences of marginalized communities, advocating for more inclusive practices in academia. Personal narratives add depth, broadening the understanding of trans perspectives in diverse educational contexts.