Meet Yan

Embarking on a journey that spans continents and generations, Yan Krasov's narrative is a testament to the transformative power of education and mentorship. Originally hailing from the Soviet Union, Yan found his roots in West Rogers Park, setting the stage for an extraordinary trajectory. As a distinguished member of the Murphy Scholar Class of 1998, Yan's educational odyssey began at Ida Crown Jewish Academy, laying the groundwork for a future marked by success and service. Yan's connection with DMSF deepened through the Summer Caddie Program, propelling him to receive the prestigious Evans Scholarship to Northwestern University.
 
Currently serving as a Research Analyst at William Blair, Yan not only excels in his professional endeavors but also pays it forward to the Murphy Scholars community. Engaging with the Board of Directors and leading as Chair of the Alumni Committee, Yan dedicates his time to support and mentor younger Scholars. His commitment extends to providing invaluable career exposure opportunities and internships at William Blair, embodying the ethos of giving back that defines the Murphy Scholars community. In this blog post, we delve into Yan's journey, his impactful contributions, and the enduring legacy he is creating within the DMSF family.
 
​The DMSF team got to sit with Yan to talk about his experience and the life he’s built. Here’s what he had to say:

Q: Looking back at that time in your life when you were an eighth grader, what motivated you to apply for the Murphy Scholarship? Why was receiving a good education important to you?
A: My parents instilled the value of education in me from an early age as a way to become successful in life. And back then, having just moved from the former Soviet Union, now Ukraine, despite lacking the financial and cultural resources, they were very motivated to find an environment for me to be able to get a great education. And upon finding out about the Murphy Scholarship, I was very motivated to earn it, to attend Ida Crown, and thus not having to relocate to the suburbs or go to local public school, which had a 30% graduation rate and didn't have the academic support and the rigor that Ida Crown had.​​​​

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Q: What did you take away from your time as a Murphy Scholar?
A: I would say probably one of the most valuable experiences I've had in my life was a chance to make friends for life with fellow Murphy Scholars from all over the city of Chicago, who came from very different backgrounds from mine. As a recent immigrant living on the far north side of Chicago, it helped me better integrate into American culture and understand and relate to people from all across the cultural and economic spectrum. I lived in an immigrant neighborhood. I attended private school with peers that were more well-to-do than I was, but in the summers I lived with fellow Murphy Scholars from the south side and west side of Chicago and that was a tremendous experience to find all the things we had in common, despite coming from different walks of life. We all caddied for extremely successful and wealthy individuals and got to learn about career fields we had not been exposed to previously.​​

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Q: What makes the Murphy Alumni network great?
A: To this day, the Murphy alums I caddied with or met through the programming are my friends. They're now serving on the DMSF Board with me and are working to help the next generation of Murphy Scholars and Alumni succeed. I think at this point, the hundreds of alumni who've graduated from high school and college and achieved success in every career field imaginable, can now serve as role models for the current and future generations of Murphy Scholars. Having someone come from a similar background and achieve success is a powerful motivator and instills self-belief into those who are often the first in their families to attend college or pursue a career in a new field. Having somebody who comes from a similar background can be an inspiration.

Q: Why is it important that we continue to offer experiences beyond high school and give these kinds of opportunities to young alums specifically?
A: Like me and my family, most first-generation, low-income students and their families lack the awareness of all the potential lucrative career options that exist for them after college. They lack the social capital to help them prepare for interviews, build resumes, and get their foot in the door. And then after that, to ultimately succeed and progress once they've launched their careers. Having experienced this myself throughout my career, I'm now working together with other Murphy Alumni, Murphy staff, and other volunteers and supporters to help bridge that gap and to level the playing field between Murphy Alums and their more well-resourced peers.

"I would encourage supporters, to bring more friends, colleagues, and professional acquaintances to the organization for them to understand how full of potential Murphy Scholars are, how deserving of opportunities they are, and how they make for great students, employees, and ultimately leaders of the organizations they will go on to be a part of in their life."

​Q: You've seen DMSF grow and evolve in many ways. What has been the most exciting thing to see in its growth, especially as we celebrate 35 Years of Murphy Scholars?
A: It's been exciting to watch DMSF grow as an organization and continue to extend the support they provide. From what started as a high school scholarship and a chance to go to a better school to now offering additional support throughout the entire high school experience. With college counseling, helping Murphy Scholars identify the best schools to attend for them based on their postgraduate interests, and now extending that to career support– this is creating a powerful network effect because Murphy Alumni are more connected to the organization and are more motivated to help the next generation of Murphy Scholars. By being more successful in their careers, they can continue to perpetuate and expand the mission of the organization.