Bleeding green, gold and bold: Muma students share how USF broadened their horizons

TAMPA - Business students Trent Carter, Rosa Nafrere and Anneliese Cotroneo each came to the University of South Florida Muma College of Business with a different backstory.

One bled green and gold from a newborn's bassinet. Another dreamed of attending college but wasn't sure how she'd pay for it. And one was a nontraditional student, but forever grateful she chose USF because it gave her the gift of time with her terminally ill mom.

At the USF Muma College of Business, what they found was the same: a business community that believed in them, challenged them to step outside their comfort zones and gave them the resources and support to dream bigger.

As the university celebrates its 70th anniversary since its founding in 1956, students like Carter, Nafrere and Cotroneo represent how the opportunities at USF have fueled their next chapters.

Trent Carter: Becoming family

Trent Carter has been connected to USF since birth - literally. Family photos show him in a USF beanie and onesie as a newborn, and he said the university has been part of his life since he can remember.

"Ever since I was little, I've loved USF," he said.

With his mom a USF alumna Life Member and season ticket holder, Carter recalls attending many Bulls football games at Raymond James stadium, spending time at campus events, and being a part of many USF traditions since age 4.

"It's a true honor coming to this school," he said. His mom is an educator and always pushed him to attend a four-year university.

Choosing USF was a natural choice. Some might say he was born to be a Bull.

Now a marketing major, Carter works as a student assistant at the USF Alumni Association and is active in both the USF Ambassadors and the American Marketing Association. His experience at Muma has given him a sense of purpose and belonging, both academically and personally.

"It's been an amazing experience here at the University of South Florida. Being here for the past 19 years, since birth, to now being a senior, it's not just a school anymore - it's family," he said.

Rosa Nafrere: Expanding horizons

For Rosa Nafrere, college was always the goal - but the route was unclear. The daughter of Haitian immigrants, she grew up in a low-income household, uncertain how she'd afford higher education or where it might take her.

"Throughout my entire life, I knew I had this passion for wanting to help people," she said. "I wasn't exactly sure how that would flesh out in my career. I also knew that I loved business."

At Muma, she found more than a degree path.

She found a network of encouragement, financial support and global opportunities. Now double majoring in management and marketing, she's completed four study abroad trips (United Kingdom, Italy, Canada and Germany), worked in the Dean of Students Office and participated in the Corporate Mentor Program for first-generation college students.

"With my background, I never thought that would be possible," she said. "It's literally been a dream. Because of USF's generosity, I've been able to really expand my horizons and have a college experience I never thought was possible."

She said the Muma community helped open possibilities she didn't know existed - and empowered her to walk toward them with confidence.

Anneliese Cotroneo: Honoring a mom's final wish

Anneliese Cotroneo's journey through Muma is one of deep resilience and quiet strength.

In her sophomore year, her mother was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. Cotroneo became her full-time caregiver while managing treatment costs and continuing her finance coursework.

She credits her ability to stay in school - and by her mother's side - to the resources and compassion she received from the university and the Muma College of Business.

"USF gave me something that I can't get anywhere else, which is time," she said.

Muma's scholarships eased the financial burden. Professors offered time, flexibility and care. Cotroneo brought the rest - unwavering commitment to her family, her education and her future.

A fall 2025 graduate, she says USF's support made three things possible: honoring her mother's final wish, finishing her degree and stepping forward with purpose.

"I'm definitely grateful to the University of South Florida for giving me the opportunity to spend those moments with my mom, but still be able to obtain her wishes, which was for me to graduate and for me to continue with my career and move forward as an adult, moving forward in the next chapters after graduation," she said.