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Xiomara Castro moved to New Jersey from Peru in 2018 along with her mother and brother. “I take immense pride in my heritage,” says Xiomara, a first-generation college student who studies General Business at Raritan Valley Community College.

Shaped by her journey, Xiomara founded the Peruvian Club with the vision of sharing and celebrating her culture with the RVCC community. “I wanted to create a dedicated space for Peruvian students and those interested in learning more about Peru’s rich traditions,” she says.

In addition, Xiomara became President of the Orgullo Latino Club, which unites students from across all Latin American backgrounds. “My goal is to showcase the beauty and diversity of Latin American culture while creating opportunities for students to connect, learn, and grow together,” she says.

Xiomara came to RVCC through the New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), a program that provides eligible students with academic and economic assistance to help them earn their college degrees.

“Becoming an EOF scholar has had a tremendous impact on both my academic and personal life,” says Xiomara. “I quickly realized the program is much more than financial support; it's a community that fosters success, resilience, and personal development,” she says.

She cites the invaluable support of Donyea T. Collins, Director of the EOF program at RVCC. “He has been there for me during moments of self-doubt, reminding me that I am capable of overcoming any obstacle,” she says. “He has not only supported me academically but has also emphasized the importance of mental health and self care, ensuring that I find balance in my college experience.”

Xiomara chose to major in General Business due to her longtime passion for digital marketing and social media. “I believe in the power of digital marketing to elevate businesses and create meaningful connections,” she says. Upon earning her associate degree from RVCC, Xiomara hopes to transfer to Rutgers Business School as a full-time student. “While I remain open to exploring other universities, I am particularly drawn to Rutgers’ business program and the opportunities it offers,” she says.

She then hopes to work for an international corporation that aligns with her values and supports people through financial, emotional, or community-based initiatives.

“I believe that working in such an environment will provide me with the insights and skills needed to eventually establish my own business, ensuring that I can make a meaningful impact on others while also thriving in the corporate world,” she says.           

In the meantime, Xiomara is keeping busy with her academic coursework and various on-campus commitments. In addition to her role as President of the Peruvian Club and Orgullo Latino, she works as a Social Media and Marketing Assistant at RVCC’s Office of Career Success & Experiential Learning. She is also an ESL and Spanish tutor at the Tutoring Center and serves as Social Media Vice President for the RVCC A-Board, a club that strives to encourage student engagement in activities beyond the classroom.

“College is not just about academics,” she says. “It’s also about networking, building connections, and creating meaningful experiences. What I love most about RVCC is the endless opportunities for student engagement. Whether through clubs, academic programs, or leadership initiatives, students can find a place to grow here, both personally and professionally.”

Business Hopefuls: Become the Next RVCC Success Story

Have you been researching “the best community colleges for business near me?” Visit RVCC’s Business Management and Communications pathway page, which outlines the different business degrees and majors offered at RVCC.

Associate of Science business programs

RVCC’s associate of science in business programs are designed to prepare students to transfer to four-year schools to pursue more advanced business degrees. These programs include:

• Business Administration-Overview of Options, (A.S.)
• General Business Option in Business Administration, (A.S.)
• International Business Option in Business Administration, (A.S.)
• Management Information Systems Option in Business Administration, (A.S.)
• Marketing Option in Business Administration, (A.S.)
• Supply Chain Management Option in Business Administration, (A.S.)

Associate of Applied Science business programs

An associate of applied science in business degree is designed to lead directly to employment, including business management careers, accounting careers, and more. Programs include:

• Accounting Information Systems, (A.A.S.)
• Accounting, (A.A.S.)
• Business Management-Overview of Options, (A.A.S.)
• Financial Services Option in Business Management, (A.A.S.)
• General Business Option in Business Management, (A.A.S.)
• International Business Option in Business Management, (A.A.S.)
• Marketing Option in Business Management, (A.A.S.)
• Supply Chain Management Option in Business Management, (A.A.S.)

RVCC also offers certificate programs designed to help students develop expertise in specialized areas, such as bookkeeping, social media, supply chain management, and more.

Learn More About RVCC

RVCC is ranked the #1 community college in New Jersey by WalletHub.com and Intelligent.com. The College offers more than 90 degree and certificate programs, small class sizes, affordable tuition, a vibrant campus life, and more to set students up for success. RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. Apply today or visit https://www.raritanval.edu for further information.