Steve Gouveia '75 planned to work with his father upon graduating from New Bedford High School. When his father's health declined, however, Steve was not sure what his next step would be.
In his senior year, one of his high school teachers encouraged him to go to college. That meant Steve would have to attend summer school to obtain the courses needed to enroll at Bristol Community College. With support and encouragement from his teacher, he persisted and in the following fall, he enrolled at Bristol.
At Bristol, Steve pursued a business degree. He found a group of friends who supported each other in their studies, including his future wife, Donna. Steve also found support from his professors at Bristol, who encouraged him to continue his education at Southeastern Massachusetts University (SMU), later renamed to UMass Dartmouth. Upon graduating from Bristol, he transferred to SMU. In his senior year, before graduating with his bachelor's degree, he landed a job at Industrial National Bank of Rhode Island (since acquired by Bank of America) with the help and guidance of one of his professors. At the time, he was one of the few graduates of public higher education to work there.
Steve went on to a successful career as a certified public accountant . He co-founded the CPA firm Rozes, Gouveia & Company, a Providence, RI-based firm which he ran for 42 years. He also co-owned two Paul Mitchell Hair & Beauty Schools and managed the accounting duties for over ninety other Paul Mitchell schools. He acknowledges and credits all those who helped him along the way, including the community he found at Bristol.
Now retired, Steve and Donna are helping current and future Bristol students to find success as they did. They established a scholarship to support Bristol graduates who are going on to pursue a bachelor's degree. The Steven D. and Donna M. Gouveia Endowed Scholarship will support Bristol graduates as they continue to pursue their educational dreams.
As part of their estate plan, Steve and Donna have made a bequest that will continue to support this scholarship. The Gouveias are supporting students now by establishing and contributing to the fund during their lifetimes and are ensuring that Bristol graduates in generations to come will benefit from their generosity through their bequest.
Making a bequest is one of the simplest ways and most meaningful ways to support Bristol through your estate plans. We have sample bequest language that you can include in your will or trust. Learn more about making a bequest here. Contact Judi Urquhart, Chief Advancement Officer, at 774-357-2235 or Judi.Urquhart@BristolCC.edu if you have any questions or would like additional information.