Creating Value: Alumnus Chenyu Zhou

Originally from China, Chenyu Zhou (Alex) graduated from JCU in Spring 2024 with a B.A. in Business Administration and a minor in Marketing. During his time at JCU, he worked as a Math Tutor, for which he received a Professional Award. He also worked as a Marketing Advisor at TheDataFreelancer.com, a platform founded by JCU alumnus Dimitri Visnadi.

Tell us about your background (where you’re from, where you grew up, etc.).
I have lived and studied in various countries, including China, Malaysia, the United States, and Italy. These experiences have enriched my understanding of diverse cultures and allowed me to become proficient in multiple languages.

What brought you to JCU?
I decided to become a student at John Cabot University at the onset of the pandemic, when travel restrictions limited my options. I discovered this American university in Rome and initially planned to stay for just one or two semesters. However, I soon changed my mind and decided to become a full-time student due to the high quality of teaching, the vibrant community, and the excellent location.

What made you decide to major in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing?
My decision to major in Business Administration was driven by two main reasons. First, with all my family members being doctors, I wanted to pursue a different path. Additionally, I have always been passionate about creating value for the community and making a positive impact on the world. I chose to minor in Marketing because I recognize the potential of marketing knowledge in helping me achieve my business goals.

In Spring 2024 you received the Professional Award for your work as a Math Tutor. What were some of the challenges and rewards of tutoring fellow students?
Being a Math Tutor has been one of the most enjoyable aspects of my experience over the past two years. The biggest challenge was adapting my teaching approach to suit each student’s unique learning style, whether they were passive or active learners. This required time to understand their needs before effectively helping them improve. The most rewarding part was that I also learned through tutoring, which allowed me to practice and reinforce the knowledge I gained in class while contributing positively to the JCU community.

You also worked as a Marketing Advisor at TheDataFreelancer.com, a platform founded by JCU alumnus Dimitri Visnadi. Tell us about this experience.
The experience was highly positive, as it allowed me to apply classroom concepts to a real business case. We began by conducting market research and then revamped the website to attract more customers. Additionally, we created digital assets that made Dimitri’s business more appealing and profitable.

What JCU classes and/or professors had the greatest impact on you and why?
During my four years at JCU, three professors had a profound impact on me:

• Marketing Professor Angelo Baccelloni: His passionate teaching style ignited my love for marketing and deepened my understanding of its power and practical applications.
• Marketing Professor Tanja Lanza: Her patience and guidance provided me with invaluable advice and tools for digital marketing, which I continue to use daily.
• Business Professor Silvia Pulino: In the Capstone class, she taught us how to manage a business by integrating knowledge from various courses. She also helped us grasp the purpose of businesses and how to craft effective strategies.

Additionally, I am grateful to all my professors for their support throughout these memorable four years.

What are your plans for the future?
My plans include creating my own digital based company. However, before embarking on this entrepreneurial journey, I plan to pursue a master’s degree in marketing to ensure I get thorough preparation and expertise.