From observing how my single mother juggled our family budget in Corona, Queens, came the very first economic lesson of my life. Managing finances as a single parent took a great deal of tenacity on her part, and it was during those days that I came to realize just how tough it could be to maneuver through the financial world when you have no prior education in it. As an East Elmhurst/Corona native, I have seen this financial vulnerability in many local business owners who have dedicated themselves to building successful ventures yet lack the knowledge needed for expansion. The reason why I am taking a path in accounting is because I know financial literacy is ultimate power. It was during my high school years that I developed my love for this area through being a CEO in our Virtual Enterprise firm. It is at this point that I discovered that numbers do not only represent facts; they represent the condition of the organization and where it stands and what it is capable of. It is at this point that I discovered that, despite being viewed as a purely technical task, accounting is actually the lifeblood of any organization. The accuracy of financial reports determines whether or not strategic planning is possible within an organization. Through this experience, I transformed my general love of the subject into a concrete goal, becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). An accounting degree from Pace University is going to change my life because it will help me overcome all the restrictions I have been living with all my life due to the system and cultural constraints. As a Latina who grew up in a very conservative and traditional family, I was always taught the social role of a submissive person rather than an influential one. Getting this degree will prove that a girl like me has every right to sit at the top management level. In addition, obtaining this degree will enable me to become financially independent and thus give me an opportunity to make a difference through creating a ripple effect. Not only will the significance of my education be felt in my personal corporate success, but I will also have an opportunity to show respect for my mother’s sacrifice and provide her with a safe future. As a holder of a degree in accounting, I will have the necessary knowledge to break down barriers between the corporate financial strategy and financial literacy of the community members. In conclusion, this career choice and this degree will impact my life in the way that it will allow me to be a strong voice in the business world. This will enable me to reach the point where I will demonstrate that leadership is measured in terms of capabilities, resilience, and determination. By providing me with all these resources to accomplish the stated aim, this scholarship will not only finance my education but will become an economic empowering agent.

Since becoming the CEO of my Virtual Enterprise company in high school, I have been faced with an entrepreneurial idea with a poorly structured financial approach. There was immense creativity within the group; however, we lacked a financial structure to move forward with our objectives. It has been my experience within this environment that taught me the importance of having a solid and structured foundation even if there is a brilliant idea behind the venture. This experience has been great and it ultimately became the inspiration for my educational goal to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Pace University along with my CPA license. As far as my educational goals for the next semester go, my primary focus will be immersing myself in the challenging accounting courses at Pace University while participating in professional associations such as the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA). Having been brought up under the extremely conservative and traditionally oriented influence of a Dominican family in Queens, I had always been trying to break free from the limiting social norms dictating a particular role of a Latina. During my studies in college, my main focus, my aim will be to continue the same level of academic success that helped me perform over 300 hours of community service in high school. I stand out as a perfect candidate for this scholarship program since I have the unique blend of qualities of being a leader, resilient, and having a vision regarding how I intend to put the education that I receive to good use. Coming from the environment of East Elmhurst and Corona in Queens, I have been a witness of how the lack of financial knowledge can deprive many intelligent and industrious people of their potential. My intent is not to study for this degree to ensure that I establish myself in the corporate world, but it is that I would want to serve as a financial counselor for minority-owned businesses. This scholarship will make it much easier for me to cover the costs of my tuition and textbooks, which means that I can focus completely on my academic pursuits, my leadership endeavors, and preparing for the CPA test. When you invest in my education, you do not simply help a student; you help a Latina woman who is committed to bringing diversity to the finance industry.

Whereas most people tend to perceive the profession of accounting as one that consists of stiff rules and numbers, I consider it an art form of storytelling. Having grown up in the vibrant and entrepreneurial neighborhoods of East Elmhurst and Corona in Queens, New York, I have witnessed the life blood of these neighborhoods through the family-owned businesses, street vendors, and immigrants chasing their dreams. The challenge that I have witnessed among these businesses is the failure of some bright and diligent individuals in understanding the cash flow and making sense out of their financial information. This realization was made through these vibrant streets where I understood that numbers are a universal language and the one that makes the difference between success and failure in business. The depth of my love for the discipline increased tremendously at high school level when I got the role of CEO of our Virtual Enterprise Company. The experience of heading the business made me come out of the academic teachings and directly face the real-world operations. Soon enough, it became clear to me that all big decisions from marketing drives to expansion of our virtual products relied totally on the correctness of our financial reports. While working along with the finance department of our firm, I found out how we need to move beyond just reading the numbers and look at the bigger picture. The balance sheet was not just an asset-liability statement, but a performance record of our past decisions and a guide to our future. Taking up this program at Pace University will be the next necessary step to achieving my goal of becoming a CPA. The financial world has traditionally been an industry with a lack of diversity among women in senior positions and even more so when it comes to Latinas. My plan is to change that by obtaining a degree in accounting. This profession interests me as it is a very active field which provides the chance to delve into other industries, resolve intricate financial issues, and promote business ethics. Ultimately, my career in the field of accounting will be all about making an impact. With a degree from Pace University under my belt, I plan on utilizing my knowledge to make connections between business financial strategy and community financial literacy. Whether I’m auditing a large company or offering assistance to minority-run small businesses to better understand their tax structure, my main objective will always be the same, translating numbers into winning strategies. The award I have been offered will give me the necessary funds to be able to concentrate on my academic studies and CPA exam prep.

Born and raised in the colorful, multicultural boroughs of East Elmhurst and Corona in Queens, my education began even before I stepped inside a classroom. Going through the public school system of New York City brought many new cultural experiences, however, the most valuable lessons came from my own home environment. Being brought up by a Dominican mother, I experienced the warmth of family bonds but also the strict division of genders imposed by traditional culture. Very early on, I became aware that there is an assigned social role, that of "lady," and that I was expected to conform to this script. Instead of allowing those rigid expectations to silence me, I took it upon myself to use those same constraints to write my own story. I looked outside the confines of my immediate surroundings and used modern technology and social media platforms to link up with global communities of women breaking through glass ceilings. Encouraged by the spirit shown by the women I encountered, I channeled my determination into education and leadership. In high school, I surpassed the expected silence set for me by becoming the CEO of the Virtual Enterprise company at my school while devoting more than 300 hours to community service. The motivation behind my aspirations is based on the fact that there are many inequalities prevailing in the society, which need to be addressed. Even though there is an increased number of women who are becoming part of the workforce, there still prevail inequalities in terms of pay scales and other biases. In the upcoming fall semester, I shall take one giant leap forward in my life by enrolling at Pace University as an accounting major. The value of this scholarship goes beyond helping me pay for college expenses; rather, it will be making an investment in a corporate leader of the future who will not limit herself within any script. With your assistance, I can acquire the necessary skills to succeed in the field of finance, show the world that there is a Latina from Queens sitting at the table of executives, and give hope to other girls.