Colombe Nguatta

Colombe Nguatta is a rising senior at Coppin State University majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry. She is supporting Development and Alumni Relations at The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute. With her eyes set on a medical profession, Colombe found it thrilling to see what goes on behind the front lines. 

What drew you to this opportunity? 

I was drawn to this opportunity because it lies in my interests. I love helping people and meeting their needs, which seems to be a major theme around Development and Alumni Relation (DAR): fundraising to help a larger cause. As a soon-to-be college graduate, I need to make professional connections. I believe this opportunity at DAR will allow me to meet many different people to build my professional repertoire. 

What are you most excited about during your internship?  

I can’t wait to learn more about DAR and other fields outside of STEM.  

What is your most memorable college experience? 

My most memorable college experience would be the study groups I hosted for my general chemistry class. The efforts the whole class took to study paid off since the entire class passed. My study groups showed me unity and how a whole group can put in the effort to achieve a bigger goal. 

Where do you want to be in 10 years, and how can this internship help you get there? 

I plan on being a doctor practicing medicine. Johns Hopkins is known for their medical institution, so hopefully I can make connections and potentially work at Johns Hopkins, practicing medicine with some of the best doctors in the world. 

What area of Advancement is of most interest? 

I am most interested in major gift fundraising. 

What area of Development and Alumni Relations interests you the most? 

Stewardship is the part of DAR I enjoy the most. Since my summer project focuses on stewardship, I had an opportunity to learn about it extensively. Showing donors our appreciation is a large part of them making repeat donations, and I am excited to work on that this summer. 

What does philanthropy mean to you?  

To me, philanthropy means fundraising money for a cause. I believe that philanthropy also shows a strong sense of community. People from all different backgrounds are giving to Johns Hopkins so the institution can continue to provide outstanding medical care and top-notch education.  

What is your biggest takeaway from what you’ve learned so far? 

Coming into this internship, I had no idea what philanthropy was. I immersed myself in the sciences when I started university, so I haven’t had the chance to explore the vast array of fields I could enter. This internship taught me the importance of philanthropy and how it can change a university.