Flourishing Happens Here

SCM Staff. Photos by Nic Coury.
28 Jan 2024

To build a space where all students can explore and grow as humans and scholars, Santa Clara University works to support the next generation of leaders.

Over the decade-long Innovating with a Mission: The Campaign for Santa Clara University, more than $280 million was raised for scholarships and financial aid. What does this money mean to the Broncos who receive it? They’ve told the University.

In the following pages, you’ll hear from students, in their own words, express gratitude for the ways in which scholarships help them focus on their studies, dive into growth opportunities, and ease the burden of the cost of education for their families.

A Santa Clara education can be transformative. Gifts that support scholarships make it accessible. Thank you for your continued support of what matters.

Raechel Guevara ’25

Dear Donors,

Hello, my name is Raechel Guevara. I am a junior majoring in management information systems in the Leavey School of Business.

I have recently started a new position as the data and analytics sustainability coordinator at the SCU Center for Sustainability and I’m currently working on reducing energy emissions, reducing food waste, and promoting sustainable actions on campus for both faculty and students.

I’m also a LEAD scholar as a first-generation college student. This is my second year serving on LEAD staff to help incoming freshmen successfully transition to college.

For the past two years I have taken on the role as a Critical Thinking & Writing (CTW) peer educator where I assist Professor Kai Harris in her English class for LEAD students.

My goal is to create a welcoming space in the classroom where no one feels ashamed to share their work. I lead group discussions and hold office hours for CTW students. Together, Professor Harris and I create a community to help students flourish and improve their writing skills.

My future goal is to work in database management. During my time at Santa Clara, I have been working to strengthen my computer programming skills. I am fluent in Python, Javascript, CSS, and C++. I am interested in data mining and data warehousing. It has always been a dream of mine to work at Oracle, which creates database management systems and specializes in cloud applications and cloud platform services. I am hopeful that my new internship in data and analytics will guide me in the right direction of one day achieving my goals.

I’m from a small town called Patterson in California’s central valley. I come from a community where not many of us are able to attend college. My high school was severely underfunded and many of my classmates didn’t graduate. Growing up, I knew I needed to work harder than most if I wanted to achieve a higher education. There were many obstacles but I never let the nature of my situation determine my future.

Receiving this scholarship has immensely impacted my life. Without it, I would not have been able to receive a higher education. Every day I am reminded how lucky I am to not have to worry about tuition, and for that reason I make the most of every day here at Santa Clara University. I get excited to go to class, to learn something new, to network with new people, and to develop my skills for my future career. It is important to express our gratitude towards our scholarship donors because for most of us, a college education would not be possible without them. I am forever thankful for our donors for changing the trajectory of my life.

Thank you,
Raechel

Joseph Ryan ’26

Dear Donors,

I am writing to express my wholehearted gratitude for my scholarship. This gift has made a significant impact on my life and I am truly honored to be a recipient.

Santa Clara University has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember and I have always wanted to go here. My parents were in the class of 1993 and they actually met at Santa Clara when they were both students. My grandpa was in the class of 1965 and my grandma was in the O’Connor Hospital Nursing Program that was affiliated with Santa Clara and they too met here. I have so many uncles, aunts, and cousins who have also gone to Santa Clara, so I grew up hearing about the college all the time—I had so much Santa Clara merchandise. As a kid we would visit campus often and I got to see the welcoming community. It always seemed like an amazing place to be.

Santa Clara is a very expensive school and scholarships had a huge impact on my college decision. The financial assistance provided by this scholarship allowed me to choose Santa Clara without any regrets and I’m so immensely grateful.

I am committed to making the most of this opportunity and to utilizing the resources provided by the scholarship to achieve my dreams. I will work hard to maintain the high standards set by the scholarship and to be an exemplary representative of it.

Again, I would like to express my deepest appreciation for this award. It is a privilege to be a recipient and I am honored to have been selected. Thank you for your support and for investing in my future.

Sincerely,
Joseph

Victor Calata-Gentil ’24

Dear Donors,

My name is Victor Calata-Gentil and I’m majoring in mechanical engineering while also pursuing minors in aerospace engineering and mathematics.

I would like to thank you once again for my scholarship. Your contributions to the Santa Clara community have made a significant and positive impact on several individuals, including me.

Thanks to your support, I’ve been able to create strong and meaningful friendships through classes and clubs–many of which I know will continue past graduation.

One club that’s been particularly meaningful to me is the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). As club secretary, I’m responsible for organizing events such as bridge-building competitions, résumé workshops, and bringing in guest speakers.

I’ve also had the opportunity to work on a research project alongside one of my professors. Our team developed a robotic swimmer capable of propelling itself through viscous fluids. We are excited because we believe it will have great applications in the medical industry one day. Through this project, not only was I able to gain more hands-on experience, I also had the opportunity to have a positive impact on others.

Similarly, I’ve also worked with the Ignatian Center as a mentor for high school students in marginalized communities. I’ve been able to guide them through the college application process by reviewing their applications and helping them apply to scholarships. As I also received help from college counselors when I was younger, I appreciate the opportunity to pay it forward.

The idea of giving back to the community that made me who I am today is incredibly important to me. Individuals such as you inspire me to be better and positively impact the lives of those around me. With your support, I’ve been able to not only pursue my passion of engineering, but also pursue opportunities in which I’ve been able to help others. I am beyond thankful.

Sincerely,
Victor

Jacqueline Escalera ’25

Dear Donors,

Thank you so much for your kindness, support, and faith in me. I am beyond blessed and thankful to again receive your scholarship.

It is my hope that through this scholarship I can continue to serve as a role model for inspiration on the SCU women’s track and field team, and add wellness, healing, and hope through service to my community and the world!

As a survivor of homelessness and child abuse as a young girl, this scholarship has helped me pursue my dreams of becoming an Olympic athlete, registered nurse, and an educated and healthy young woman who can help others grow too.

My goals throughout college and thereafter are to set more track and field records at SCU (I have already broken two) and become a professional athlete.

I hope to be the best student, classmate, friend, and young woman that I can be, and to help others grow and succeed along the way through service and empowering others to dream big.

What means the most to me about being a Bronco is being part of a community that’s mission is to “cultivate and build a more humane, just, and sustainable world.” I have been able to heal and overcome adversity, I am growing, and I have cultivated hope for the future.

Kindly,
Jacqueline

Meet a handful of the Santa Clara University students who have scholarships, and hear their reasons for thanks.

Raechel Guevara ’25

Joseph Ryan ’26

Victor Calata-Gentil ’24

Jacqueline Escalera ’25

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