Meet Rodrigo Serna
Meet Rodrigo, a dedicated DMSF Associate Board member, generous donor, and volunteer. Rodrigo’s participation as a fundraiser for DMSF’s Giving Tuesday helped set a record in the organization’s history of participating in the national global day of giving. We are proud to honor Rodrigo's efforts and commitment to Murphy Scholars.
Thank you, Rod! We are so lucky to have your support in the DMSF community. Learn more about Rodrigo's involvement below:
How did you become involved with the mission of DMSF?
“I first learned about DMSF through co-workers at Macquarie in Chicago, who are big golf fans and had previously participated in the Annual Golf Classic. After reading a bit about the mission online, I then met with a DMSF staff member and was then able to get more involved by joining the Associate Board and attending events.
“I first learned about DMSF through co-workers at Macquarie in Chicago, who are big golf fans and had previously participated in the Annual Golf Classic. After reading a bit about the mission online, I then met with a DMSF staff member and was then able to get more involved by joining the Associate Board and attending events.
Why do you invest in Murphy Scholars?
“While I was not a Murphy Scholar, I enjoy finding ways to invest in both the program and the Scholars because having the opportunity to attend a private high school opened many doors, both professionally and personally. My parents are immigrants and provided me with a fantastic base of values, but along the way through high school and beyond I was lucky to have a diverse set of mentors and friends who guided me through high school and college. They eventually helped me find my way in the professional world, which I was unfamiliar with growing up. Being able to provide similar mentorship to Murphy Scholars and helping to grow the organization is incredibly fulfilling to me.”
“While I was not a Murphy Scholar, I enjoy finding ways to invest in both the program and the Scholars because having the opportunity to attend a private high school opened many doors, both professionally and personally. My parents are immigrants and provided me with a fantastic base of values, but along the way through high school and beyond I was lucky to have a diverse set of mentors and friends who guided me through high school and college. They eventually helped me find my way in the professional world, which I was unfamiliar with growing up. Being able to provide similar mentorship to Murphy Scholars and helping to grow the organization is incredibly fulfilling to me.”
What is the value of diverse mentorship and career development for youth?
“From my perspective, the value of diverse mentorship and career development for young people is that it gives them access to knowledge about what professional careers exist beyond what they might see on TV as well as helping them understand the path to success across a number of careers. Many students say they want to be doctors or lawyers because it sounds impressive, but many then have to learn how to get into medical or law school in a more indirect way than their peers. Providing mentorship and a professional network early allows students the opportunity to inquire and learn more about the professional paths they may be interested in.”
“From my perspective, the value of diverse mentorship and career development for young people is that it gives them access to knowledge about what professional careers exist beyond what they might see on TV as well as helping them understand the path to success across a number of careers. Many students say they want to be doctors or lawyers because it sounds impressive, but many then have to learn how to get into medical or law school in a more indirect way than their peers. Providing mentorship and a professional network early allows students the opportunity to inquire and learn more about the professional paths they may be interested in.”
