Falcon Spotlight: Applauding Alumni and Student Successes

Being a Falcon is forever and at the Schmidthorst College of Business we want to recognize Falcons past and present who are making positive impacts, breaking barriers and creating public good.

Check out these outstanding Falcons:

Alumni Spotlight:

Chris Ybarra ’08

Chris Ybarra received his undergraduate degree from BGSU in Supply Chain Management and is a current professional enrolled in the Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) program. He currently serves as the Executive Director and Head of CAO Digital Experience at JP Morgan Chase (JPMC).

In July, Ybarra was recognized on the Latino Professional’s Top 30 Rising Latinos for 2023. The Latino Professionals is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and connecting Latino professionals across various sectors. As a leader of a global team helping to deliver solutions to nearly 300,000 employees across the globe, Chris has not only helped his team achieve best-in-class employee satisfaction scores, but serves as a champion for multiple Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) initiatives.

In addition to helping establish new DE&I forums for his extended organization, Chris actively mentors fellow colleagues through JPMC’s Advancing Hispanics & Latinos (AHL) focus. He is passionate about propelling the organization’s inclusive culture to even greater heights, whereby he partners with extended leaders and colleagues to reimagine how the firm “attracts, nurtures, and invests” in its diverse talent population.

"We are excited to be able to recognize Chris and his accomplishments. Our alumni serve as testament to the culture and academic experience our students receive, and Chris is a great example of a Falcon creating public good and making a positive impact in his community," said Jennifer Percival, Dean of the Schmidthorst College of Business.

Congratulations, Chris!

Student Spotlight:

Our students continuously astound us with their passion, determination and leadership. Schmidthorst students seize opportunities and the following are just a few of the many students who have continued to expand their leadership skills and learning throughout the summer.

Jenna Hastings

Jenna Hastings, current junior majoring in Marketing, Management and International Business, was selected as one of only 10 recipients (and the only recipient from Ohio) to be awarded the highly competitive and esteemed RSM US Foundation "Power Your Education" scholarship for the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year.

The scholarship is a clear reflection of Jenna's commitment to academic excellence, leadership and community engagement. To be eligible students must be enrolled full-time with a 3.0 GPA or above at an accredited college or university, and two or three years from final graduation with a bachelor's degree in business or technology and submit an original, 30-second video on the power of being understood. The scholarship not only acknowledges Jenna's exemplary scholastic performance but also recognizes her potential to make a lasting impact on those around her and in her chosen field.

Jenna's academic excellence shines through her consistent Dean's List appearances, active participation in the Honors College and commitment to gaining real-world experience through internships. Her leadership extends beyond the classroom, as she plays pivotal roles in various student organizations, like the Schmidthorst Student Ambassador program, Women in Business Leadership and the BGSU Dance Team, among others. Fostering collaboration and inclusivity, Jenna embodies the spirit of community service, participating in local and national volunteering initiatives and her commitment to social responsibility is just one facet of her potential as a future leader in the business industry.

Recognizing Jenna as a RSM US Foundation scholar not only alleviates financial constraints with this significant contribution to her education but acknowledges her contributions to the BGSU community and beyond. BGSU and the Schmidthorst College of Business proudly celebrates Jenna Hastings as an inspiring model of excellence, leadership and service, reflecting the university's commitment to nurturing outstanding individuals who will change lives and shape the future of business.

In celebrating Jenna's achievement, Bowling Green State University also recognizes its commitment to nurturing exceptional individuals who are poised to shape the future. Jenna's journey demonstrates the power of perseverance, passion and the transformative potential of education.

Congratulations, Jenna!

Want to share a Falcon Success Story? Email czenone@bgsu.edu your BGSU alumni or student spotlights.