Joan Curran ’21 School of Management

Joan Curran ’21

Meet Joan Curran, a marketing major in the School of Management's Honors Program, who is seizing her time at USF to pay it forward. 

Describe your educational experience here at USF.

This scholarship genuinely means so much to me. I am at a point in my life where I don't know how I am going to pay for things like rent, food, and tuition for next year, but your donation really does help me out, and it brings me comfort. It is so comforting to know that there are such generous people that want college kids to thrive and to be successful. I am a marketing major in the School of Management's Honors Program, although I thought I would study music composition at USF, I developed a passion for business, and I am glad I chose the path I did. One day I want to be in a position to donate to scholarship funds, as they have helped me get to where I currently am today.”

What does life look like outside of school? 

One of my main passions is to write songs and play the guitar, piano, and sing. These past few summers, I have been a music director at a summer camp. I have also been working at a nonprofit based in San Francisco called "Career Girls" as a publicity/marketing assistant and a video editor. It is an online platform where we have interviewed hundreds of powerful women pursuing their dream jobs, and ask them about their career paths and advice they’d give to young girls. We then post it on our social media and website, so girls who are trying to figure out what they want to be when they grow up can see what their dream jobs would entail. By working there for 3 years, I have been able to listen to so many women, from astronauts to biochemical engineers to musicians. Hearing them share their stories, challenges, greatest parts of their jobs, and advice on how to stay motivated and be resilient makes me motivated to continue to pursue my path.

Any last words?

To the generous donors that are able to make this scholarship possible, we are all so grateful to be given this wonderful opportunity and to know that there are people in this world that truly care and know the importance of education in one's life. It gives lower-income families including mine a sense of comfort and optimism that we are able to have help pursuing an amazing education at a wonderful school. I can not say thank you enough. Scholarships make such a positive impact on student's lives that will lead them on a path to success, including mine.

Gifts to USF, like Joan’s scholarship, were made in support of Changing the World from Here, Campaign for the University of San Francisco. Support students like Joan »