Pause for Coz Profile - Nina Damjanac '25
Nina Damjanac ’25 chose Santa Clara University for its esteemed Jesuit education and the strong values and community that SCU embodies. "Getting a Jesuit education was important to me and my family, especially at a school as good as the Leavey School of Business," she explains. Hailing from San Jose, CA, Nina found SCU to be a place where she could grow academically and personally.
Though Nina doesn't have a direct family connection to SCU, her mother always envisioned her attending Santa Clara for its values of giving back and fostering community. "For as long as I remember, my mom wanted me to have access to the best education with the values of giving back and community instilled in me," she shares.
As a finance major, Nina's passion for math and numbers drew her to the Leavey School of Business. However, Nina’s favorite class at SCU has been her Theology of Marriage class. "We had so many interesting discussions with our professor and watched really interesting movies that we then analyzed and discussed from a theological perspective," she recalls. This class provided a unique blend of academic and personal exploration that Nina found deeply engaging.
Nina’s involvement in the Women’s Water Polo team has been a cornerstone of her SCU experience. "My teammates are some of my best friends, and I have loved getting to meet so many people every year. The connections I have made with my teammates will always stay with me," she says. These relationships have extended beyond the pool, as she shares a house with seven teammates who have become like family. "When I go home to my college house it is never empty, and you are never alone. We all come home wanting to hang out together and sit around and talk even if we just spent hours with each other at practices or in class," Nina adds.
Looking ahead, Nina aims to pursue a career in finance or accounting. "Being a student-athlete at the Leavey School of Business has helped me figure that out and equipped me with valuable knowledge and skills in time management and organization that I will keep with me in my career," she explains. She is confident that her SCU education, culminating in a bachelor’s degree in Finance, will set a strong foundation for her future.
Receiving the Father Coz Scholarship has significantly impacted Nina’s ability to continue her education at SCU. "Receiving this scholarship has made a huge impact for me and my family and it has made it possible for me to finish my last year at SCU," she notes. Nina hopes to pay it forward by being an active part of and contributing to the SCU community, spreading joy, and sharing what it means to be a Bronco.
To the donors who support the Father Coz Scholarship, Nina expresses her heartfelt gratitude. "Thank you so much for giving back to the Santa Clara community and students like me, and making it possible for me to continue my education at such a wonderful school that I now call home.”