College to launch student-staffed fundraising call center

Arturo Loo and Chloe Patel are among students from the Dr. Persis E. Rockwood School of Marketing who will staff the College of Business' new fundraising call center. Patel, a senior professional sales major, is mentoring other student volunteers. “I am eager for more experience and growth opportunities in the field,” she says.Photo by Katie Xanders/College of Business Click to enlarge

The Florida State University College of Business is launching a fundraising initiative that harnesses the energy and enthusiasm of its marketing students and encourages the continued support and generosity of its alumni and friends.

Its new fundraising call center is scheduled to open in early April, with staffing from professional sales majors.

“We’re excited for our students who will be using the call center as a tool in communicating to our community of alumni and friends about supporting the College of Business,” said Chelsea Vaughn, the college’s alumni engagement manager and call center liaison. 

Michael Hartline, dean of the college, initiated the move to help the college boost donations for discretionary funds that support various programs and initiatives, plus essential needs such as funding of scholarships, research, recruitment and travel. 

The college is partnering with the FSU Foundation, which is housing the call center at its downtown Tallahassee location and providing alumni lists, data and other support.

“We’re excited that our own students are staffing this initiative and contributing in yet another way to our preeminence,” said Hartline, who recently served additional roles as interim vice president for university advancement and president of the FSU Foundation.

Those students hail from the college’s Dr. Persis E. Rockwood School of Marketing, specifically an advanced sales course taught by associate lecturer Chuck Viosca, director of the FSU Sales Institute.

Vaughn, the call center liaison, applauded Viosca for his idea to let a select group of students staff the call center, which will allow them to complete a volunteering requirement of the advanced sales course. In all, four students will volunteer six to eight hours a week in the center, Vaughn said.

Leading the way is Chloe Patel, a senior professional sales major who is mentoring other student volunteers. She also is working as an intern at the Tom James Company, a custom-clothing maker that maintains a close relationship with the college and its students. 

Patel, who will graduate in May, expressed excitement about guiding the project. 

“I am eager for more experience and growth opportunities in the field,” she said. 

Patel joined Vaughn and Sarah Collins, the college’s director of strategic engagement, in a discussion with the FSU College of Law to learn about that college’s successful call center, which includes an annual student-staffed fund-a-thon.

Now she says she’s eager to start work in the College of Business call center.

“I think this is going to be an awesome learning opportunity for everyone,” Patel added.

(This article was updated on April 1, 2024).