(Left to right:) Ronnie DiGiacomo, Director of Resources and Development; CSI marketing research students Shammy Shivaprasad and Nazia Hussain; and Diane Arneth, Executive Director of CHASI

Community Health Action of Staten Island (CHASI) Executive Director Diane Arneth and Director of Resources and Development Ronnie  DiGiacomo recently heard findings from the College of Staten Island (CSI) Marketing Research 410-student team project headed by Esra Ozdol, Nazia Hussain, and Shammy Shivaprasad.

Team reps Hussain and Shivaprasad of “SEN Marketing Research,” their self-named organization, presented an executive summary of the research including findings and recommendations for the organization whose supporter base includes well-educated individuals with six-figure incomes. The team had first met with CHASI to define their research objectives, constructs, measurements, and questionnaire development. These questionnaires were sent out electronically via Survey Monkeym, with links to Facebook and the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce weekly e-Newsletter, to their supporter database and members of the business community who agreed to participate.

The data were analyzed via SPSS software and crafted into a final report and PowerPoint presentation. The students were able to confirm and uncover some interesting insights that could help the organization cultivate future donor and supporter involvement and market expansion potential.

Diane Arneth commented that the presentation was, “very clear, methodical, and professional.” Ronnie DiGiacomo added that she was “impressed with the enthusiasm and professionalism of the marketing students.”

“This is a great example of service learning in which our students have an opportunity to build on their classroom lessons through “real-world” applications,” commented Thomas Tellefsen, chair of the Business Department. “It is a win-win for the students and the community. We are all very proud  of Professor Dubovsky and  his marketing students.”

The students thanked their client-sponsors for their time and direction with the project, saying that they were happy to not only learn marketing research skills but also to “give back to the community” at the same time.