Building Connection: alumni, current students share cherished memories

Learn more or donate to the RRU Together fundraising campaign to support student financial aid.

Our student caller program is integral to the university’s fundraising efforts. Dedicated, passionate and professional, student callers Sarjina Hossain Trima and Janet Befo share how conversations with alumni inspire them.

Sarjina Hossain Trima

For Sarjina Hossain Trima being a student caller fundraiser is more than a job—it’s a meaningful experience that connects her with Royal Roads University. Each call brings her closer to alumni and donors who share a love for the campus and a passion for its future. Working on projects like the A Vision in Bloom campaign, aimed at enhancing the gardens, The Farm at RRU and the Japanese Teahouse, Trima often hears donors’ stories of peaceful moments or memorable student adventures on the campus grounds. Each story bridges her own journey with theirs, spanning generations of shared dreams and growth.

One of Trima’s proudest moments as a caller was early on, when she secured a $100 donation from a recent graduate who shared humble words of support. “His kindness and encouragement really touched me,” Trima says. “Afterward, we celebrated as a team, ringing the donation bell to announce the gift. I felt so proud, realizing this work truly mattered.” The experience grounded her in a sense of purpose, making her feel part of a larger, supportive university fundraising team.

As an international student studying Intercultural and International Communications, Trima also finds donors are curious about her career dreams. Trima's goal is to work for the United Nations in humanitarian communications, helping those affected by trauma and displacement. She often shares this dream with donors, who respond with words of encouragement and stories of their own career journeys. “Good listening is a great skill,” she reflects. “When I listen to donors’ memories and experiences, our conversations feel genuine and heartfelt. I feel honored to hear about their lives and have them interested in my own.”

Looking to her future, Trima feels grateful for the confidence these conversations have given her. Each story shared, each memory brought to life, fills her with the sense that past students are cheering her on—and that, just like them, she too can make a difference in the world.

Janet Befo

Janet Befo has found a meaningful purpose in her role as a student fundraising caller at Royal Roads University. Engaging with donors allows her to build relationships that can directly impact lives. "It’s rewarding to know that I can help someone through the emergency fund or support a scholarship that provides opportunities for students,” she shares.

The student caller role is one Befo thrives in. “I work with an amazing team where I can be myself. One of my favorite things is connecting with alumni and learning about their experiences at Royal Roads. I enjoy hearing their stories,” she says.

Her journey as a student caller has had its challenges though. "When I first started calling, I was nervous about asking for donations," Befo recalls. After a difficult first call, where the donor hung up, she felt discouraged. However, her next call turned things around. “I spoke to a donor who shared his love for the gardens and donated one hundred dollars. It was exciting to have such a positive outcome,” she says.

It’s those connections with people that keep Befo motivated in her role. "Donors often share valuable stories, and it’s important to take the time to listen," she says. In one thank-you call, she found herself discussing her research on sustainability leadership with a donor who had taken a leadership course at Royal Roads. “It was great to hear his thoughts. It inspired me to revisit my research with a new perspective,” she adds.

As a student in the Master of Arts in Tourism Management student Befo balances her work as a student caller with her studies. Looking ahead to a career in sustainability leadership and event management in the tourism sector, she is grateful for the connections and skills her role as a caller has provided. “Donors love to know what my experience is as a student and we both know Royal Roads, so it’s nice to have that shared connection.”

Advice to future student callers

Trima offers advice to future student fundraisers: approach each call with a genuine eagerness to listen. “Donors want to know who you are and hear about your dreams. And they are so willing to share their memories and hopes with you.” These interactions, she says, remind her of the deep sense of connection and support that exists across generations of university students. 

Befo advises future callers to remain resilient. “Don’t take rejection personally. Each call is a chance for a new connection.” She highlights the importance of teamwork, noting that her supportive colleagues have been instrumental in navigating tough calls. “We help each other stay motivated, and it’s great to have that support,” she explains.

Learn more or donate to the RRU Together fundraising campaign to support student financial aid.