Student Story

My plan after graduating is to hopefully become a restaurateur.”

Maria Rodriguez-Estrada is a junior Business Administration major at Catawba College. She is a Tom Smith Fellow and a member of both Tri Alpha and the National Society of Leadership and Success. She is also a small business owner. She runs a Chamoy Rim Dip and Spicy Candy enterprise off Instagram.

As a Salisbury native, Maria first learned about Catawba when she took a course with the Unanue Scholars program here during her junior year of high school.

The Unanue Scholars program allows Rowan County high school-aged Latinas who are in their junior year to take a college course and jump-start their education at no cost to them.

At the end of the course, Maria was offered a scholarship to Catawba and knew she had to take it. “I chose Catawba because of the community they have here. Even though I’m originally from Salisbury, Catawba has made me so comfortable and safe that I feel at home.”

She added, “I like recognizing people on campus. I like how comfortable it is. I like that it is a welcoming environment.”

Maria has big plans after she graduates from Catawba.

She said, “My plan after graduating is to hopefully become a restaurateur. I’ve always been passionate about being in the kitchen and helping my mom with cooking even if that meant just keeping an eye on time so the food wouldn’t burn. Learning my mom’s recipes and creating my own has led me to want to do this.”

“I lean towards opening a restaurant because I've always wanted to be my own boss,” she added.

Maria is working with several Catawba family members to help make this happen and said she has received support from students, faculty, and staff.

“Right now, I’m working with Dr. Lynn, Dr. Tice, Pabel Delgado who is the entrepreneur in residence, Kevin Plante who is the on-campus manager of the dining hall, other faculty, and restaurants around Salisbury so they can help guide me in the right direction. I plan on doing pop-up events on campus and private dinners in the Student Choice center so that I can explore areas of this industry and grow my connections so when I graduate, I am just about ready to start my business.”

She said, “I’m very excited and I can’t thank God enough for the opportunities that I’ve been given. I plan on meeting new people along the way and making lifelong connections. I hope everything goes as planned so that people will be able to try my products.”

Maria wants to use what time she has left at Catawba to gain experience and prepare herself for the world after graduation.