My name is Vanessa Coracides, and I am a proud second-generation college student at the University of Arizona, pursuing a double major in Management Information Systems and Operations & Supply Chain Management. As a Latina of Mexican heritage, I come from a family of hardworking immigrants who instilled in me the values of perseverance, dedication, and giving back to my community. My grandparents immigrated from Mexico, and my father was born there before coming to the United States in search of better opportunities. Despite the barriers that often come with being a female minority student, I have embraced every challenge and transformed them into opportunities for growth. Growing up, I was always aware of the financial struggles that many minority families face, especially when it comes to higher education. Without generational wealth or previous UofA alumni, I had to navigate this journey largely on my own. Despite these challenges, I have excelled academically, maintaining a 3.96 GPA while balancing leadership roles, community initiatives, and professional development opportunities. This summer, I will be interning with Amazon as a Program Manager, an opportunity that aligns perfectly with my passion for technology, operations, and supply chain management. I aspire to use my education and experiences to drive innovation in business and logistics while advocating for increased diversity and representation in the corporate world. I want to pave the way for more minority students to enter these fields, proving that we belong in industries where we are often underrepresented. Beyond academics and career aspirations, I am deeply committed to community service and advocacy. One of my most meaningful initiatives has been leading efforts to combat period poverty at the University of Arizona, Eller College of Management. I recognized that many students face financial difficulties that prevent them from affording basic hygiene products, so I took the initiative to ensure that business school restrooms are stocked with free tampons and pads. This project has been about more than just accessibility—it’s about fostering dignity, equality, and awareness for an issue that disproportionately affects low-income individuals. My leadership in this initiative is just one example of how I strive to make a tangible impact on my community. Receiving this scholarship would be life-changing. It would provide the financial support necessary to continue my education without the burden of excessive student debt, allowing me to focus on my studies, professional development, and service work. Minority students often face systemic financial disadvantages, making it harder to pursue higher education without taking on loans that can hinder long-term financial stability. This scholarship would not only ease that burden for me but also empower me to continue advocating for others facing similar challenges. With my degree, I plan to leverage technology and supply chain management to drive efficiency and inclusivity in businesses while mentoring and uplifting other underrepresented students. I am determined to be a role model for those who, like me, have faced obstacles on their journey to success. I want to break barriers, challenge norms, and create opportunities for those who come after me. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and would be honored to be selected as the recipient of this scholarship. With your support, I will continue striving for excellence, giving back to my community, and proving that minority students can not only succeed but also lead, innovate, and inspire meaningful change.

"To struggle is to learn" -My dad There have been times in my life where giving up seemed like the easiest option. I remember sitting at the kitchen table doing homework crying because the problem was too hard and all that I would constantly hear is this quote from my dad. It is true, if I am struggling if should fuel that motivation to figure it out and look up resources online. Since my struggling days in junior high, I have learned that there are so many resources on the Internet that can help me solve math problems and now I take struggling as a good thing cause if I do it right once I can build the muscle memory to get it right again and again.