BGSU Schmidthorst College of Business executive-in-residence elevates student learning with real-world insight, mentoring

Retired president of O-I Americas Miguel Alvarez brings more than 30 years of valuable business experience to new student-focused role

By Branden Ferguson

Committed to elevating the student experience, Bowling Green State University empowers learners with comprehensive opportunities in and out of the classroom.

As part of that promise, the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business this fall is leveraging the expertise of the former president of O-I Americas to share real-world insight and professional acumen with students through a new executive-in-residence program, placing BGSU among the few universities in Ohio to offer the unique student-focused resource.

Miguel Alvarez joins BGSU after more than 30 years of experience with the northwest Ohio-based company, where he retired as president of O-I Americas in 2020. As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of packaging products, O-I is the largest manufacturer of glass containers in North America, South America, Asia-Pacific and Europe.

As executive-in-residence, Alvarez will teach a strategic management course, develop a class for students to better understand the changing business landscape and mentor students with professional guidance and industry insight. He also will provide one-on-one career coaching to help students leverage their degrees and experiences to support their career goals.

“This is something I wanted to do my whole life, and I can't envision a better way of giving back," Alvarez said. "Mentorship and professional guidance can be so helpful to someone who is just starting their education and career, and I look forward to helping BGSU students succeed in the classroom and in their professional endeavors."

With more students choosing BGSU for a business education, Dr. Jennifer Percival, dean of the Schmidthorst College of Business, said she is thrilled to have someone of Alvarez’s caliber in the classroom to provide expertise and unique perspective to lessons and projects.

“The global leadership experience that Miguel brings to BGSU provides our students with real-world examples of strategic concepts and challenges that are part of the everyday life for business leaders," Percival said. "Residencies are not something all students get to benefit from while completing their studies. Our students are lucky to have someone with his level of expertise, compassion and willingness to teach."

At BGSU, Alvarez hopes to raise awareness of professional opportunities that students can embrace while in school, including experiences to promote career readiness in an ever-evolving profession.

“Looking back at my time in college, I never had someone helping me balance what to focus on both academically and professionally,” he said. “Having perspective and connections from someone with established, professional experience can be so beneficial to career success, especially when looking for that first job. I'm honored to be in a role where I can help BGSU students succeed and achieve their career goals.”

Alvarez began his career as a civil engineer in Colombia, before obtaining his Master of Science in economics degree from Louisiana State University. Returning to Colombia, he began working with O-I in sales and marketing.

He remained with the glass giant over the years, eventually moving to the O-I headquarters in Perrysburg, Ohio. He later traveled to Colombia, Peru and Brazil. After arriving in Brazil to fill the general manager role, Alvarez took the role of vice president of Latin America and worked to acquire business in Mexico. Following the acquisition, O-I merged Latin America with North America, creating O-I Americas, naming Alvarez as its president.

While he is new to BGSU, Alvarez is already making a significant impact on students.

"I spoke with a student near the end of the first week of classes and asked her what her favorite class was this semester. The student said her favorite instructor was Miguel," Percival said. "Our students are already recognizing the value of his experience and his welcoming personality."