We close out our Eller Business Communication Program Fundraiser by highlighting one of our most recent graduates, Jason Marquez, who earned his degree in Operations and Supply Chain Management in 2021.

Jason is one of the kindest, most giving, most positive students to ever come through our BCOM courses.   Though he may have been a little shy and unsure of himself when he started his junior year, he was a public speaking pro by the end of his first semester.  Not only did he overcome his self-doubt, he became known as his section’s greatest champion in everything they did that semester.

In fact, he gained confidence and improved his public speaking skills so much that he went on to become a team mentor for the next two semesters. As a team mentor, Jason coached teams of students to improve their presentation delivery skills just as he had done before them.  Not only did Jason ultimately coach case competition champions, he also spawned a new generation of team mentors to follow in his footsteps.

Since his graduation, Jason has joined RippleMatch as Associate Campus Operations Manager, where he manages relationships with hundreds of students seeking their perfect post-college career.  As he reflected on his Eller Experience and how it prepared him for his current career path, Jason shared this with us:

“I don't think I would be where I am today without the material skills I've gained from my BCOM experience. Compared to my other courses, this unique subject taught me to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. Strong collaboration and constant problem-solving throughout the semester contributed to developing my professional persona and especially my career. I'm beyond grateful for a whole team of professors who made the experience unforgettable.”

Jason continues to give back to the Business Communication Program that has given him so much: he’s back in Tucson today to serve as a judge for this semester’s BCOM 314 case competition!

We are so grateful to have you and Jason as part of our extended BCOM family.  If you agree with Jason that your Business Communication courses prepared you to be successful in your career – including becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable – please pay it forward like Jason is doing and donate today!

Jason Marquez

Only one day left in our Eller Business Communication Program 20thAnniversary Fundraiser, so it’s time for a little LinkedInception!  Meet Almog Paz, a Senior Nonprofit Account Director at LinkedIn, where he is the top performer on the LinkedIn for Nonprofits team.

Almog started his interest in helping the helpers when he led a team of fellow students in the Consulting track of BCOM 314 way back in 2015.  After helping the YWCA of Southern Arizona develop an external stakeholder communication strategy, Almog went on to become a preceptor for BCOM 314.  In that role, he coached and mentored groups of other students to reach their potential.

When he was ready to enter the job market, Almog literally printed out and brought to his interview his final communication plan from his own BCOM 314 days.  This landed him his first entry-level job in tech, where he has continued to climb the ladder of success.

We are so proud of Almog and the skills he gained through BCOM to extend his reach, support nonprofit organizations, and make our world a better place.  You make us proud, Almog; keep it up!

Almog Paz

Senior Nonprofit Account Director at LinkedIn

"The Business Communication course was one of the most impactful courses I had taken at Eller. I was able to directly apply the lessons that I have learned to my job, and it has helped me become an effective communicator while working with cross-functional teams. This program and our BCOM instructors are invaluable."

Rashmi Wilson

Eller MBA 2021

Project Manager

American Express

I loved my Eller experience and the exposure I got to a wide variety of topics to round out my skillset as a business professional. Without a doubt, the class that taught me most of what I use on a day to day basis was my Business Communications course. My ability to state my Bottom Line On Top, clearly communicate complex solutions, or analyze and synthesize multiple details into formal or informal presentations all began with the knowledge andpractice I got in BCOM. The added bonus was the experience I got applying thesetopics in a Non-Profit Consulting domain, whichreally solidified the concepts with a real-worldapplication -and paid it forward within our Tucson community.

Amy Poindexter (Doherty)

Director at Dupont Circle Solutions

“Eller’s Business Communication Program makes its students stand out in their job search and subsequently in their roles upon graduation. The program gave me the ability to present complex information in a digestible manner while leveraging it to gain buy-in, and be comfortable communicating at all levels of the organizations I work with. As an Eller MBA alumnus and volunteer with the Business Communication Program, I am proud to dedicate time to a program I am confident provides enormous value to students.”

Luis Soto

MBA 2014

VP, Marketing

Vantage West Credit Union

“The Eller MBA curriculum would not be complete without Business Communication. The course sets the stage for future leaders to gain both the competence and confidence to research and present on various topics to a myriad of audiences. A strong presenter coming into the course, I can honestly say that I noticed tangible improvements in my communication delivery and interaction with peers as a direct result of this course. My experience in Business Communication was invaluable to my current role as a consultant developing and delivering large scale transformation projects to clients.”

Jacy B. Woodruff

MBA 2021

Senior Associate of Transformation Delivery

KPMG

“Eller College of Management equipped me to go out and see the bigger picture. Business Communications is where I learned to communicate more effectively in the grand scope. In my current role, I work with Directors and VPs who need to understand impact and timelines - BCOM is where I learned to give recommendations sufficient for many executive decisions.

Bear Down.”

-- 

Justen Dawson MSc, MBA, CSM

MBA, 2018

Technical Program Manager 

NVIDIA

Meet Sarah Jaeger, another BCOM all-star, who describes BCOM as a highlight of her Eller experience.   Back in the fall of 2013, her team was asked to create a new workforce development solution for the Primavera Foundation, a local non-profit providing pathways out of poverty. They became experts in an unfamiliar topic (water harvesting) and leveraged their individual strengths to develop and present a marketing strategy for their client.   They then applied those same lessons to the PetSmart case competition at the end of the semester, emerging victorious.

The following semester, Sarah served as a BCOM preceptor/project manager, which gave her the opportunity to build a diverse BCOM team and provide ongoing mentorship.

Sarah found that working with a multi-disciplinary team to solve an ambiguous problem and help a real client was profoundly motivating – so motivating that she pursued a consulting career doing just that.

As a data analyst with Mercer Human Government Services Consulting, Sarah still heavily draws upon her BCOM experiences to communicate data effectively and concisely. She now serves as the project manager of an actuarial/financial services contract for one of Mercer’s largest government clients. She has applied many of the lessons she learned in the BCOM Program to build and empower a team to work efficiently, reduce risk, and drive action with clear communication of technical concepts.

Sarah shared why she continues to support the Eller Business Communication Program:

“While there are probably many other worthy university initiatives, I find myself carving out time to give back to BCOM specifically because of the impact it had on me. In Spring 2020, I served as a virtual judge for the BCOM case competition. It was a tough year for many reasons, but the program leaders and students demonstrated admirable resilience and professionalism. I know the BCOM program will continue to improve and provide students with project-based experiences to prepare them for their future careers.”

We are four days in and have reached 27% of our goal! There are eight days left to give.

Many thanks to those who have supported our fundraiser. Your contributions will help fund the following: 

• Support for Student Competitions 
• Our Student Mentor Program for Preceptors  
• The Professional Digital Profile Showcase 
• Faculty Training and Certification 

Thank you,  

The BCOM Team  

"Business Communications 314 set the tone for my Eller experience. It gave me the skills and terminology to express myself, my ideas, and my needs in a professional setting. My time as a BCOM 314 preceptor for the consulting track, ushered me into an IT Consulting career.  I serendipitously found my first full-time position through an end-of-semester BCOM Case Competition. The development teams I am part of create value through consistent and precise communication from project leaders like myself. BCOM 314 not only gave me the skills to fill this role, but also the confidence"

Rebecca Yueh

Business Analyst at Insight

“My work in BCOM helped me identify my brand and sell my skillset to employers. I appreciate the support of the entire Business Communication Program team. My instructors were transformational, and I valued the opportunity to work with the BCOM faculty through clubs and activities. They bring a sense of family to the Eller experience.”

Mick Fang BS 2019/MS Finance 2020

Consultant

 "The business communications department at U of A was formative in preparing me for my career. BCOM 314 served as an incredible foundation for both verbal and written professional communication - skills I use regularly today as a management consultant. And, in fact, my career in consulting was kickstarted with the support of the BCOM professors running mock consulting interviews with me and advising the Arizona Consulting Club. I'm thankful for being part of the program.”

Natalie Scibilia

Class of 2018

Project Leader

Boston Consulting Group