Who are we?
SJSU Management Information Systems Association (MISA) prepares students for successful careers in the dynamic and fast-paced field of business and technology. We provide our members with opportunities for professional and personal development, leadership, and networking while engaging with premier Silicon Valley companies, working professionals, and peers. MISA strives to shape the upcoming leaders of Silicon Valley with the incorporation of their core values of Professionalism, Networking, Knowledge, Leadership, Community, Innovation, and Opportunity. Alongside regular MISA events, our organization provides members programs to help further their personal and professional growth. Our programs include the MISA Consulting Group, Big/Little, and Women Mentorship Program.
Why are we raising the money?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the SJSU MISA eBoard recognized the challenges that students faced having equitable access to technology and the impact it had on their educational goals. In response, SJSU MISA launched the MISA Tech Fund to close the digital equity gap by providing students with demonstrated financial hardship due to the pandemic or extenuating circumstance access to a laptop & mouse. Our goal is to make technology accessible for all students to help them achieve their goals in the STEM and Business fields. We hope that we can enable those without reliable access to technology to achieve their goals.
How can you help?
Your donation has the power to change the lives of students by giving them the tools necessary for educational & career success. Through your donation, you will pay it forward and play an active role in closing the digital technology gap. Please click one of the Giving Levels on the right side of the page and make your gift today.
To learn more about the impact of your donation, read the stories of the 2021 MISA Tech Fund Recipients below:
- "As a first-generation college student, I had a difficult time navigating the college application process. I felt so lost and overwhelmed, but I made it to San Jose State University and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My parents have sacrificed more than I could even imagine for me to be pursuing higher education, and I want them to know that their efforts have paid off. Along my journey of self-discovery, I discovered my passion for computers. I found a major that I absolutely love and I am invested in my studies. I spend my free time running experiments on my laptop to gain a better understanding of how our internet infrastructure works. I try to pay back to my community by teaching local high school students computer basics. Recently, my efforts have been interrupted by my laptop’s hardware issues. Receiving the MISA Tech Fund Award would mean that someone out there acknowledges the journey I have been through and is willing to support me even further. Being able to receive the help I need from SJSU represents a community where we uplift others and give students at a disadvantage an equal ground to start. The award would lift a great financial burden off my shoulders. I hope I can have the means to continue my studies and stay involved in the technology community." -Kaitlyn Bui, MISA Tech Fund Recipient
- "Winning the Misa Tech fund Award would eliminate a financial burden on me. Technology is very expensive which leads to me not having the same opportunities as other students. Being a first-generation college student adds to the difficulty of buying expensive tech items. I don't ask my parents for help when buying tech because it's a large expense for them. This means I often have to save up and buy technology myself. My laptop is very big and bulky, it also often shuts down on me when I need it the most. The battery life is not the best and is often unreliable. Being able to have a Surface Laptop pro would be perfect because of its great portability. Receiving the Award to me would mean gaining the ability to learn more about the things I love as well as having a reliable laptop I can carry around and get work done with. When I heard about the MISA Tech Fund award I was eager to apply because of the great benefits I would gain if I received the award. I am very thankful for the opportunity to apply to this fund and MISA for providing the opportunity to win a laptop that can benefit me as well as others." -David Ortiz, MISA Tech Fund Recipient
- "Scholarship opportunities are very rare for an international student living in the U.S. Moreover, many people, when mentioned that I am an international student, seem to get the wrong opinion of me. I don’t drive a Mercedes, I don’t wear Balenciaga shoes, and I bet that you won’t be able to guess where I am from. I was born and raised in a country called Myanmar (formerly Burma), which is one of the poorest countries in the world. Growing up, my circumstances were far from that of the people who were born here. Currently, there is a civil war raging back home. I am one of the lucky people who was able to escape temporarily to study in the States. For that, I have my parents to thank, particularly my mom. My mom is the current breadwinner of the family. Despite being born in one of the most destitute countries in the world, she single handedly financed my entire college career in the U.S. and I am forever grateful for that. As her hair slowly turns from black to grey, my desire to give back to my mom grows stronger. The MISA Tech Fund Award would allow me to take a step in building my career and using what I earn from my jobs to pay back my family. This scholarship would ease some financial pains and will go a long way in supporting my career." - Kevin Tun, MISA Tech Fund Recipient
