BGSU executive-in-residence offers learning with real world insight
By Terry Troy
There’s no better teacher than real life experience.
Bowling Green State University (BGSU) is taking the learning experience of students at its Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business to a whole new level, with a new executive-in-residence program designed to bring real-world insight and professional mentoring to the classroom.
Miguel Alvarez has joined the Schmidthorst College of Business as its new executive-in-residence after more than 30 years with northwest Ohio-based O-I Glass.
Alvarez retired as president of O-I Americas in 2020. O-I is the largest manufacturer of glass containers in North America, South America, Asia-Pacific and Europe, making it one of the world’s leading packaging product manufacturers.
The new executive-in-residence program places BGSU among the few universities in Ohio to offer the unique student-focused resource in business education.
“This is something I wanted to do my whole life, and I can’t envision a better way of giving back,” Alvarez said in a press release from BGSU. “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.”
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, according to the press release. Additionally, he will provide one-on-one career coaching to students, helping to leverage their degrees and experiences to support their career goals.
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 in the press release. “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.”
Alvarez hopes to raise awareness of professional opportunities that students can embrace while in school at BGSU.
“Looking back at my time in college, I never had someone helping me balance what to focus on both academically and professionally,” he said in the press release. “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.”
Before obtaining his Master of Science in economics degree from Louisiana State University, Alvarez began his career as a civil engineer in Colombia. After earning his masters, he returned to Colombia and began working with O-I in sales and marketing.
He remained with the O-I, eventually moving to its headquarters in Perrysburg, Ohio. After moving to Brazil to fill the general manager role, Alvarez became vice president of Latin America and worked to acquire business in Mexico. Following the acquisition, O-I merged Latin America with North America. This created O-I Americas with Alvarez at its helm as president.
Though he is brand new to BGSU, Alvarez has already made an 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.”