Growing into the future she once dreamed of
When you first met Jiovanni Raymond, she shared how scholarship support had helped her move through one of the hardest seasons of her life and begin again at Longwood. Since then, she has continued to grow into a confident student, leader, and future healthcare professional.
One of the greatest highlights of Jiovanni’s past year was an internship at a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation clinic. There, she was able to apply what she had learned in her kinesiology courses while working with real patients outside the classroom.
“It was incredibly fulfilling,” she says. The experience also reaffirmed her desire to pursue a career in medicine, even as she worked through questions about which path was right for her.
Jiovanni has sometimes struggled with imposter syndrome and wondered whether she truly belonged in spaces that once felt far beyond her reach. Time spent in hospitals and with healthcare providers has helped her recognize that she is in the right place and capable of continuing the journey.
After graduation in May, Jiovanni plans to study for the MCAT and work as a medical assistant as she prepares to apply to medical school.
She is also taking on new leadership responsibilities at Longwood: Jiovanni will serve as Head Resident Assistant for the community where she has worked for the past three years, Co-Leader of the Student Philanthropy Council, and Community Service Chair for Mortar Board.
“Everything I have accomplished during my time at Longwood once felt impossible to me,” she says. “In many ways, your support has allowed me to flourish into who I always dreamed of being.”
For Jiovanni, the word that best describes this chapter is simple: growth.