For some, entrepreneurship is a dream that comes on late in life, when experience and a burning desire to work for themselves come together. But even in high school, Gloria Owens believed she was destined to be her own boss.

She also knew the road to running a business would be a difficult and costly one. Her persistence already began paying off this year, though, when the Fisk University junior was awarded one of two $7,500 scholarships funded by Regions through UNCF, the United Negro College Fund.

"I feel so lucky," she says. "At the end of the day, I know my education is what's going to make me thrive as I pursue my career."

When Owens began preparing to embark on a life of entrepreneurship, she decided to start her journey at Fisk University, Nashville's small but celebrated icon of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities network. "One of the things I wanted to do was just get back to my roots, get to know more about my culture."

Owens hopes to start a real estate business shortly after college. One of her major motivations is the freedom it will give her to continue focusing on community service. She already earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award, is a member of the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society and helps teach business ethics to inner-city youths.

While Owens was glad to receive the Regions scholarship, she's also glad to see a financial institution investing in a more diverse future for corporate America.

"To partner with the UNCF, that shows that they care for minority students and that they'd like to see more minorities in the professional world."