Dan Majors Aztec Experience
Dan Majors (03) is the assistant director of electronic solicitation for the Office of Alumni Engagement and The Great Gives chief organizer.
He transitioned to in December 2013 to work in campus events, and eventually, online giving initiatives. Currently, he manages the as well as our campus one day giving campaign, .
1. What has been your proudest achievement while at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»?
My proudest achievement was starting the crowdfunding program at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» in 2015. My passion is connecting alumni and the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» community to engage with programs that are meaningful to them, and we are able to do that through the STRIVE crowdfunding program.
2. What is your favorite thing about this job and working at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»?
My favorite thing about this job and working at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is the people. I have made such strong connections with many colleagues in my 10 years here. I have also been very lucky to have been mentored by so many great leaders and managers in my division, who have supported me and invested in my success at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³».
3. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
The best piece of advice I’ve ever heard is from Dan Montoya, assistant vice president of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Alumni. The advice he gave me is to celebrate excellence in everything we do—even the smallest projects or communications can have a huge impact on our supporters. Remembering that piece of advice helps me and my team members showcase all the great things happening at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³».
4. What about your field or position do you think would surprise people the most?
What is most surprising about my position working on the crowdfunding program and our Great Give campaign, is the amazing number of campus partners I get to work with. These two initiatives are truly campus-wide. I’m very lucky to be in the position to meet so many great people who are very passionate about their programs and Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³».
5. What inspires you to do this kind of work and why is this work important?
Supporting our students and great programs here at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is what inspires me the most. I am a graduate of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» and this school has given me so much. I want to look back at my career at the university and see that I made a positive difference in the lives of students and for the campus.
6. As an Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» alumnus, what is your favorite memory as a student at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»?
My favorite memory is from my freshman year when Steve Fisher was announced as the new head coach for the men’s basketball team. I was aware of Coach Fisher’s amazing accomplishments prior to coming to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³», so I knew he was going to bring something great to our campus. Coach Fisher was so dedicated to getting students to the games that he would walk around campus handing out free tickets. It was a very special moment for me getting those tickets from Coach Fisher and meeting him face-to-face at the very beginning of his historic tenure here at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³».
Bonus:
7. What are your favorite bands?
I love pop-punk. Growing up in Southern California in the 90’s, pop-punk was a part of who I was. My favorite bands are Something Corporate and New Found Glory. There are too many more to name.
8. What is your favorite sports team or who is your favorite individual athlete?
My favorite sports team is the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» men’s basketball Team. My wife and I are season ticket holders. I also love the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. I grew up in Mission Viejo (South Orange County) and some of my earliest memories were watching the Angels. My favorite individual athlete is Mike Trout. He is a future Hall of Fame player who plays the game with class and whose talent is unmatched.
9. What do you like to do in your free time?
I started surfing when I was 14 years old. In addition to all of the great programs Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» had to offer, the San Diego surfing was a huge draw for me to attend Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» as a student. I also enjoy playing piano and running in my free time.
