Books have always been more than just something I read for school, they’ve been a way for me to learn, escape, grow, and understand both myself and the world around me. From childhood stories to more complex books I’ve read in college, reading has shaped how I see others, how I make decisions, and even what I want to do with my future. One of the first books that really stuck with me was The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It’s about a boy named Santiago who follows a dream that leads him on a life-changing journey. What I learned from that story is the importance of listening to your heart and not giving up, even when the path isn’t clear. That message came to me at a time when I was doubting myself and unsure about what I wanted to study. It reminded me that life isn’t always about having the perfect plan, but about being brave enough to try, fail, and grow. Books like Educated by Tara Westover and Becoming by Michelle Obama also had a major impact on me. They opened my eyes to how education and determination can change a person’s life, especially for people who don’t come from privilege. Reading about their journeys made me feel less alone as a first-generation college student. It also made me realize how powerful storytelling can be not just for entertainment, but for helping people feel seen and understood. That’s why one of my biggest goals is to continue creating spaces where people feel empowered through knowledge. I’m currently majoring in Finance and Marketing Analytics, and although that might not sound book-related at first, reading has taught me to approach everything with curiosity and empathy. Whether I’m in a leadership role or working with a company to build a strategy, I try to understand people first, just like how good books help you understand characters and their choices. In the future, I want to work in financial consulting and eventually start a nonprofit that focuses on financial literacy for underserved communities. I want to take what I’ve learned from books and life and make it useful for people who need it most. I also love giving back through mentorship and community work. In high school, I helped tutor younger students in reading, and in college, I’ve led workshops for girls in lower-income areas to build confidence and explore STEM careers. I’d love to one day volunteer at a library or even run a community reading program, especially for kids who may not have access to books at home. Reading has helped shape the person I’m becoming. It’s taught me about cultures I’ve never visited, experiences I’ve never lived, and possibilities I never imagined for myself. It’s made me a better thinker, listener, and dreamer. Books have reminded me that anything is possible when you keep learning and that’s exactly what I plan to do, for the rest of my life. This scholarship would allow me to continue growing that love for reading and passing it on to others.

My name is Riya Shah, and I’m a 19-year-old first-generation college student studying Finance and Marketing Analytics at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Business has always intrigued me, not just as a field, but as a force for impact. I’m someone who finds joy in solving problems, leading others, and imagining ways to make systems work better for people who are often left out of the conversation. That’s why I’ve chosen this path. A career in business allows me to mix strategy, service, and innovation and I’m determined to use that combination to create change. This scholarship would make a significant difference in my life, not just financially, but emotionally. As someone who has worked multiple jobs, completed internships, and balanced a full academic schedule all while managing a health condition, every bit of support helps me stay focused on my goals. It’s not always easy, especially when you’re the first in your family to navigate college and the business world. This scholarship would ease some of that pressure and allow me to continue pursuing the opportunities that matter most to me. Long term, I hope to build a career in financial consulting or product strategy, where I can help organizations develop inclusive and people-centered business models. I’m especially passionate about financial literacy and accessibility. I want to help bridge the gap between underserved communities and the financial tools they need to succeed because I’ve lived through the confusion of not knowing how student loans work or how to open a retirement account. Eventually, I hope to start my own nonprofit that teaches these fundamentals to young adults in schools that don’t have access to this kind of education. One of the most difficult experiences I’ve had both physically and emotionally was being diagnosed with vitiligo during my first year of college. Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition that causes loss of pigment in the skin, and for me, it changed the way I looked almost overnight. At a time when I was already adjusting to college life and trying to make my place in a new environment, I suddenly had to face a deep fear. A fear that I would be seen differently, that I wouldn’t be taken seriously, that I would lose confidence in myself. There were days when I didn’t want to go to class. I felt exposed and insecure, and on top of that, I was attending therapy sessions three times a week to treat the condition. But instead of letting that break me, I decided to turn inward and focus on what I could control; my mindset, my goals, and how I showed up in the world. I kept my grades up, earned a 4.0 GPA, joined leadership roles, and proved to myself that I’m more than how I look. That experience taught me resilience and reminded me why I belong in this field to create space for others, no matter what they’re going through. This scholarship isn’t just support, it’s a reminder that I’m seen, and that others believe in the potential I see in myself.

I am worth the dreams I aspire to achieve because I have never waited for permission to pursue them, I’ve worked for them, earned them, and continue to grow through them. As a first-generation Indian American woman, I’ve learned early on that dreams are not handed out.. they are built, step by step, through resilience, faith, and purpose. From navigating college applications without a roadmap, to advocating for myself in classrooms and boardrooms where I’m often one of the only women, I’ve never shied away from the challenges that come with ambition. I carry the weight of my family's sacrifices, the responsibility of being a role model to my younger siblings, and the desire to break generational cycles, all while staying grounded in the belief that my dreams are not just for me, but for those who will come after me. My aspirations lie in finance and social impact. I envision a world where financial education is not a privilege, but a right. A world where young women especially those from underrepresented communities feel confident navigating money, leadership, and career opportunities. I am working toward becoming a leader in the finance world, not only to prove that I belong there, but to make space for others who haven’t been told that they do. Through internships at TIAA, Wells Fargo, and Project Destined, I’ve seen firsthand how systems can uplift or exclude, depending on who is at the table. These experiences have deepened my commitment to making finance more inclusive, transparent, and people-centered. My goal is to use what I’ve learned to create programs that bridge the gap between communities helping families like mine feel empowered, not intimidated, by financial systems. Outside the classroom, I’ve led with heart and impact. As Head of Social Media for Digital Page, I helped run hackathons, mentor young women, and build clubs in Charlotte-area high schools that promoted STEM and computing literacy for girls in lower-income areas. Watching their confidence grow reminded me that representation is not just inspiring; it’s necessary. I want my success to serve as a mirror for others to see themselves reflected in careers they might have never considered. I am worth the dreams I aspire to achieve because I have made it my mission to turn challenges into chapters of strength. Whether it was navigating a health condition that affected my appearance, balancing multiple internships with therapy sessions, or staying on the Chancellor’s List through it all I’ve shown up fully, even when it wasn’t easy. Worthiness, to me, is not about perfection. It’s about perseverance. It’s about choosing growth over fear, impact over recognition, and purpose over convenience. I believe I am worth these dreams because I have built them on integrity, hard work, and a genuine desire to make a difference, not just in my life, but in the lives of others. My dreams are bold. But so is my work ethic. So is my heart. And that’s what makes me worthy of everything I envision because I’m not chasing success for applause. I’m chasing it to open doors, change systems, and show others what’s possible.

As a first-generation college student pursuing a double major in Finance and Marketing Analytics at UNC Charlotte, I’ve always believed education is one of the most powerful tools we have to create long-term change, not just for ourselves, but for the communities we come from. I plan to use my education to drive greater equity in both finance and education, especially for young women from underserved communities who, like me, have had to navigate systems without a roadmap. Throughout my college journey, I’ve sought out opportunities that allow me to combine my business skills with community impact. One of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had was serving as the Head of Social Media for Digital Page, a nonprofit organization that empowers women in STEM. Our mission focused on spreading digital literacy and computational skills to young women in under-resourced communities especially those in New York City and Charlotte. In my role, I not only led all digital communications and social outreach, but I also coordinated hackathons that brought together college students to mentor and support high school girls interested in technology and computing. These events weren’t just about coding, they were about building confidence, connection, and real-world application for young women who had never seen someone like them in the tech space. I led workshops, recruited speakers and mentors, and created social campaigns that highlighted the stories of the girls we worked with. Wanting to expand the mission even further, I helped launch Digital Page clubs in high schools across Charlotte. I reached out to educators, gathered student interest, and built programming around basic computing, financial literacy, and leadership development. These clubs became safe spaces where young women could explore new interests, connect with mentors, and learn skills that could shape their futures. Through this work, I realized the deep connection between access to education, confidence in one’s voice, and the ability to dream beyond circumstances. Many of the girls I worked with were navigating financial challenges, immigration pressures, and a lack of support at home. But when they were given the right environment and resources, their potential was unstoppable. My goal is to continue using my business education to create programs and platforms that make financial and digital education more accessible. I want to work at the connection of finance and social impact, designing solutions that help underrepresented communities better manage money, plan for the future, and explore career paths they’ve never been exposed to. This is more than a career goal for me..it’s personal. I’ve lived through the uncertainty of not knowing how to fill out a FAFSA form, or how to save for college, or who to turn to for professional advice. I’ve also seen how just one mentor or one workshop can completely shift a young person’s mindset. By continuing my education and staying involved in nonprofit initiatives like Digital Page, I hope to be that shift for others. I want to leave behind a world where every young girl, regardless of her zip code or background, knows that she belongs in business, in tech, and in leadership.

My name is Riya Shah, and I am a proud first-generation college student pursuing a double major in Finance and Marketing Analytics at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. My journey into finance hasn’t always been traditional, but it has been deeply personal. Growing up, I watched my immigrant parents work tirelessly to create a better life, often navigating financial systems they didn’t fully understand. From a young age, I was drawn to numbers, structure, and strategy but more importantly, I was drawn to the idea of helping others feel confident in their financial decisions. That personal connection is what sparked my passion for finance, and it continues to fuel me today. I’ve had the opportunity to explore different areas of the industry through internships in digital marketing at Toyota, private equity and real estate with Project Destined, and this summer I will be interning at TIAA in Product and Business Development. These experiences have not only helped me grow professionally, but they’ve also opened my eyes to how finance is evolving and where it still needs to improve. One of the most obvious gaps I see is the lack of women in leadership roles and front-office finance positions. In many of my classes and programs, I’ve noticed that I’m often one of the few women in the room. And while I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, I can’t ignore how isolating that can feel. I’ve had to advocate for myself, find mentors through trial and error, and sometimes teach myself what wasn’t being taught in the classroom. That’s why I believe representation isn’t just about numbers, it’s about creating systems that support diverse talent from the beginning. We need mentorship pipelines specifically for women, particularly in underrepresented communities, and we need to normalize female voices in spaces where decisions are being made. I want to be part of that change not just by building my own career in finance, but by turning around and helping the next generation of women do the same. Long-term, I want to work in wealth management or financial consulting with a focus on financial literacy and accessibility. I believe finance should empower people, not intimidate them. I want to help bridge the gap between everyday people and financial tools they can actually use—whether that means simplifying complex information, offering personalized advice, or designing new systems that center empathy just as much as analytics. I haven’t taken the SIE exam yet, but it’s on my radar as I prepare for future internship and licensing opportunities. I’m eager to learn and take the steps necessary to earn my place in this field, and scholarships like this one make that path a little more attainable for students like me. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to be considered. Finance is not just a major to me, it’s a mission, and I’m ready to show up for it.