TAMPA, Fla. — The doors for Latino students in the Tampa Bay area are continuing to open, thanks to a recently established scholarship fund that will help Latino students who are looking for graduate level degrees.

That scholarship fund, also known as the Dr. Anh-Kay Pizano Scholarship at the University of South Florida, was established by the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Council last year.

What You Need To Know

  • The Dr. Anh-Kay Pizano Scholarship at the University of South Florida was established by the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Council last year to help Latino students get more opportunities to continue their education

  • Karla Rosales was the first person to receive the scholarship in 2023

  • The Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Council will host its graduate student scholarship event on Dec. 12, proceeds raised during the event will go towards the Dr. Anh-Kay Pizano Scholarship

Each year, the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Council hosts a scholarship fundraiser to go towards the endowment.

Araseli Martinez-Pena, the chairperson for the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Council, said the event means that Latino students will get more opportunities to continue their education.

“We know how life changing and how transformational it is to be able to access a college degree, and to be able to go into that workforce in those levels, and I just want people to join us in that passion and in that dedication,” she said.

While some have hobbies that involve a lot of skills, for Karla Rosales, its coloring that brings some piece to her busy schedule.

“I try my best to always make time for my hobbies, or prioritize to be with my family, or be with my friends, because that’s a de-stresser as well," she said.

As a full-time student with a job, she says it can be stressful. But she’s grateful for the opportunity to pursue a degree at USF.

Rosales was born in Cuba and was brought to the U.S. at the age of six.

“I have family in Cuba that are trying to come to the states, and whenever I tell them how my education is going, they are very happy and proud, because I’m one of the first people that got out of Cuba and can succeed for my family,” Rosales said.

She’s also the first student at USF to receive the Dr. Anh-Kay Pizano Latino Scholarship.

The scholarship was established by the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Council to help bridge the gap for Latino students looking to pursue graduate level careers.

The latest study done by the Pew Research Center found that despite growing numbers in Latino postsecondary enrollment, they only accounted for 8% of all advanced degree holders.

For Rosales, she says it’s a not only a financial boost, but motivation to one day establish her own clinic in neuropsychology to help bridge healthcare gaps among Hispanics.

“I get to not worry so much about the money aspect, and the experience I get to have with this scholarship and with being surrounded by people who are going through the same,” Rosales said.

Rosales is the first person in her family to pursue a degree in the U.S. and although she says it’s difficult at times, it’s her family that keeps her going.

"My mom was a doctor in Cuba, and her coming here, she had to restart her whole career as a doctor without knowing the language or barely knowing anyone here," Rosales said. "I saw how strong she was.”

She’s grateful for the opportunity to learn so that one day she can give back to even more Hispanics just like her.

The Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Council is hosting its Latinos Ascend graduate student scholarship event on Dec. 12. Tickets are on sale now and proceeds will go to the scholarship fund.