Josh Mitchell

College of Arts & Sciences ’10

Growing up in Lawrenceville, Georgia, Josh Mitchell took a chance in applying to U.Va. He knew he’d be able to succeed academically, but the out-of-state tuition was beyond his family’s means.

AccessUVA made it possible for him to attend the school he’d fallen in love with. It also enabled him to get an academic leg up by attending the Rainey Academic Program, a summer transition program designed to help low-income students adjust to college.

Mr. Mitchell, a philosophy and Middle Eastern languages major, signed on for Navy ROTC in his third year, but he’s still grateful for the support of AccessUVA. “It allowed me to not have to worry about anything financial,” he explained. “That’s why I could study philosophy and to take languages like Arabic and Farsi.”

After graduation, he looks forward to four years of active duty in the Navy. Once he finishes that commitment, he is eager to attend graduate school and expects to pursue a career in academia.

“AccessUVA really does change people’s lives,” Mr. Mitchell said. “I would be in a completely different place right now if it wasn’t for AccessUVA. I feel like one of the most privileged students in the nation.”