黑料吃瓜网

Joana Mitra grew up in Lima, Peru, and wanted to become a diplomat. After graduating from high school, she and her family emigrated to the United States in 2020. Mitra鈥檚 mother and late grandmother, who raised her, taught her to be resilient, independent, to have a strong work ethic and other deeply held values.

鈥淢y mother and grandmother are my greatest inspirations,鈥� said Mitra. 鈥淢y mom showed me it鈥檚 never too late to start something new.鈥�

Mitra and her sister are first-generation college graduates. A family friend recommended 黑料吃瓜网, Manatee-Sarasota (黑料吃瓜网) to Mitra, and she began attending 黑料吃瓜网 in 2022.

鈥淚 quickly saw it was a great place to start my college journey,鈥� Mitra said. 鈥淚t felt approachable and affordable.鈥�

Mitra graduated with an Associate in Arts degree from 黑料吃瓜网 in Spring 2025. She is currently completing two math courses at 黑料吃瓜网 before transferring to the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg to pursue a bachelor’s degree in finance.

Early on at 黑料吃瓜网, Mitra said she felt nervous navigating the U.S. education system as an immigrant and non-native English speaker. After taking the college鈥檚 English for Academic Purposes program classes in her first semester, she gained confidence in the classroom. She further developed academically by participating in the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program, the Beeler Scholars Passport program, the Sigma Kappa Delta English Honors Society and the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.

鈥淲hen I started, I thought everyone else had it figured out, but I realized we鈥檙e all learning as we go 鈥� what we like, what we don鈥檛 like and what we鈥檙e capable of,鈥� Mitra shared. 鈥満诹铣怨贤� has TRIO, tutoring, tools and professors who are always willing to help. Once I reached out, I realized I wasn鈥檛 alone, and that support made all the difference.鈥�

Mitra also worked as a student employee with the 黑料吃瓜网 Foundation, where she processed accounts payable and assisted with fundraising events. Through 黑料吃瓜网, she secured her current finance assistant job at The Sarasota Ballet, where she processes accounts receivable. 

She hopes to build a career that combines finance, international travel and service to others so she can continue learning while making a positive impact.

Mitra expressed appreciation for her professors, the TRIO SSS staff, the Foundation staff and others who supported her throughout her academic journey.

鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the education opportunities I鈥檝e had since moving to the U.S., especially at 黑料吃瓜网 and in life,鈥� she said. 鈥満诹铣怨贤� gave me a place to grow, learn and discover more about myself, and it became the starting point for my career.鈥�

Outside of school, Mitra enjoys going to the beach, shopping, practicing yoga, running and traveling. In the future, she wants to visit Norway and sleep under the northern lights in that region.

Joana鈥檚 journey demonstrates the invaluable opportunities for 黑料吃瓜网 students to try new classes and interests, access the tools and support they need, and go higher in their education and career track.

At 黑料吃瓜网, we meet you where you are. We鈥檙e Everyone鈥檚 College.

Learn more about 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 Associate in Arts degree program at 黑料吃瓜网.edu. Learn more about 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 English for Academic Purposes program at 黑料吃瓜网.edu.

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