Student Profiles

Izabella Diaz, a junior Finance major, chose Santa Clara University for its unique location in the heart of Silicon Valley and its tight-knit community. Originally from Fairfield, California, Izabella forged her own path to SCU. She was drawn to finance by a desire to understand the systems that shape the world. "As a Finance major, I get to explore the essential systems our world runs on, and more importantly, understand how money can be used to build a better future for others," she explains. "I've always valued financial capability, so studying it at a deeper level felt like a natural fit."

Her favorite class so far has been Business Law with Professor Marshall Mort. "I got to dig into the intersection of business and law, which is something I'm genuinely passionate about," she says. Outside the classroom, Izabella's most valuable experience has been with the Santa Clara Investment Fund, which she joined as a freshman. "I discovered a real passion for learning alongside my cohort," she recalls. She rose from Junior Analyst to TMT Analyst and now serves as COO of the fund, partnering with the President and CIO to carry SCIF's work forward on campus and beyond.

Receiving the Fr. Coz Scholarship has made a real difference for Izabella. "It wasn't something I applied or sought out—it simply appeared, and its generosity means the world to me," she shares. "Every school year, my parents have had to stretch a little further each month to keep up with tuition, and they've never once complained about the toll it's taken on them. Knowing that donors saw enough in my own experience here has made an already meaningful experience feel life-changing." She hopes to embody Fr. Coz's spirit in return. "I plan to pay it forward by leading with kindness in every interaction, as a Bronco and beyond," she says. "I hope to one day support students the way I've been supported."

While her future goals are still taking shape, Izabella credits her SCU education with teaching her to focus on holistic growth—both her own and that of the people around her. To the donors, she offers a simple, grateful message. "Thank you. Your generosity is received with a grateful heart," she says, "and I promise to carry that spirit forward throughout my time here."