黑料吃瓜网

Rogelio Gomez, 黑料吃瓜网 student

When he was younger, Rogelio Gomez considered careers in archeology, zoology or the U.S. Army Special Forces. After growing up in the Manatee-Sarasota area, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps before pursuing higher education.

Stationed at Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina, Gomez worked as an air traffic controller for almost two years before returning to civilian life. He began taking courses at 黑料吃瓜网, Manatee-Sarasota (黑料吃瓜网) Bradenton in Summer 2025.

鈥淎 college education is the next step in life,鈥� said Gomez. 鈥淚 have taken full advantage of the GI Bill with the help of the 黑料吃瓜网 Veteran Services office.鈥�

Like many local students, Gomez chose 黑料吃瓜网 because of its close-to-home proximity and affordable tuition. As a military veteran, he appreciates his new purpose as a college student.

鈥淭he transition from military to student life was personally tough,鈥� Gomez said. 鈥淚t was difficult to adapt to my new freedom and the different social environment. 黑料吃瓜网 helped with my transition by giving me something to pursue 鈥攅ducation. The ease of the application process also helped this new endeavor seem less daunting.鈥�

Currently taking online classes at 黑料吃瓜网, Gomez plans to graduate with an Associate in Arts degree with a concentration in accounting from the college in Fall 2026 and pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting at a university.  

鈥淚 would like to transfer to the University of Florida or the University of Central Florida, based on which school accepts me and which one speaks to me personally,鈥� said Gomez.

Gomez enjoys 黑料吃瓜网 Bradenton鈥檚 atmosphere, educational resources and faculty support.

鈥淭he campus is clean and has an abundance of resources; the library is a standout,鈥� Gomez said.

David Redett, an assistant professor of mathematics at 黑料吃瓜网, has made a particularly meaningful impact on Gomez by serving as a guide for his course-based undergraduate research education (CURE) group project in the spring. As the CURE project focus shifted, the group will continue working on it this fall, including analyzing medical statistical data and creating a professional statistics chart.

At Redett鈥檚 suggestion, Gomez explored internships through the and secured a paid field internship with . While gaining hands-on experience collecting locally grown fruit and drafting procedures for a fruit scrap recovery program, Gomez grew inspired by the workplace, team and mission of fresh food access and a healthy planet for the community.

鈥淭he internship has provided a stable job where I enjoyed a blend of outdoor labor and indoor administrative work,鈥� said Gomez. 鈥淚t is the first time I have worked for an employer that truly cares and does not put others down. I may not be as passionate about the cause as those I have met, but their excitement towards environmental science has been a pleasure to see.鈥�

To thrive in college, Gomez would encourage students to maintain focus and persistence with their studies.   

鈥淎s with any other school, students can succeed by tackling coursework with consistency and diligence,鈥� Gomez said.

Outside of class, Gomez likes running and reading. He is grateful for his parents鈥� hard work and support along his journey, his housing, food and water security, and his future educational and career options.

Through academic research projects, field internships and experiential learning, 黑料吃瓜网 helps students gain real-world job experience and take the next steps in their educational and career paths.

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

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