Don Vu: Skyfall
Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business has taught me the skills needed to succeed in a business environment. From business communication to database management and analysis skills, I have been able to apply all of this knowledge into my work at a nonprofit organization. At the beginning of this year, I had the pleasure of leading a data analysis & visualization project where I had to utilize the skills necessary to clean, analyze, interpret and then share this data with stakeholders. Classes such as database management have not only strengthened my ability to complete this project, but it has given me the technical mindset to understand how to create a scope of work to successfully move through the processes whereas classes such as business communication have strengthened my ability to communicate my work to my team in the best way possible.
Through the data we found that only 17% of donors processed their matching gifts, leaving a significant portion of possible funds that could have been used on our college success programs and scholarships. With the given insights from our data, our team moving forward will be more proactive about ensuring that the matching gift processes are fully completed to avoid leaving funding on the table. In addition, only 28% guests donated during our Fund A Need Campaign, giving our team the understanding that we must improve our marketing strategy at the next Hispanic Foundation Ball. With this project completed, the other fellow at the HFSV, Taeya Ross and I will be working on a mixer for SCU students who are a part of our Latinos In Technology Scholarship Program as well as a final data analysis project revolving around six-cohorts. We look forward to making a greater impact on the community and I hope that as a first-generation transfer student, I am able to bring a unique perspective to SCU.