Rosa built professional skills through the Berry ColleBerry Center for Integrity in Leadership (BCIL), a program that grounds students in values and integrity as they prepare to lead after college. As a member of the Marketing and Sales Club, she competed in the International Collegiate Sales Competition and National Collegiate Sports Sales Championship.
Last summer, she sharpened her competitive edge at i-eXponential Camp, an experiential learning camp at the University of Miami created by Biznovator Camp and Cala Enterprises executives. “This camp helped me a lot, and I was able to continue what I learned there at Berry,” Rosa says.
Tasked with creating an innovative business idea that aligned with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, Rosa presented it to investors at the Venture Capital Pitch Competition. She proposed a co-working space for college students in Costa Rica that would provide tools for success, from tutoring and printing to a personalized place to think and create. Of the 22 participants, only three were chosen to receive capital funding. Rosa won first place, receiving $1,000 to start her business idea.
During her time at Berry, Rosa has been mentored by Dean Slade and Assistant Dean of Students Meredith Johnson. Both have supported her academically and personally during her transition from Costa Rica. “Coming to Berry from Costa Rica was a huge change for me, but they made it really smooth,” Rosa explains.
“Rosa has an amazing amount of courage and tenacity,” Dr. Slade says. “It takes a lot of courage to pursue one’s college studies in another country, so far away from family. All college students have their moments of stress and difficulty. Rosa has navigated that with grace and persistence.”
Rosa credits Berry with her significant work experiences, leadership skills and opportunities to attend competitions and conferences. “Berry has provided me long-lasting friends, a huge professional direction and personal growth,” she says. “This has truly been the best four years of my life.”
Written by junior Hannah-Grace Mann