b'challenge15 yearsafter graduating from the university, Jorge Tovar 09 is a proud SOU alum. As head of integration services at Adobe, Tovar continues to credit SOU with giving him the adaptability and time-management skills he needed to thrive in the fast-paced world of technology and marketing.After graduating from the Universidad de Guanajuato with a degree in Business Administration and Human Resources in 2004, Tovar was encouraged by friends to visit Ashland and attend Southern Oregon University. There are several exchange programs between the two universities and the sister cities of Ashland and Guanajuato, Mexico. Tovar contacted SOU and learned about the International Cultural Service Program (ICSP), where he could work on his English language skills while also attending the university. When Tovar came to Ashland, he was at loose ends academically when he met Armando Lopez, an assistant director of admissions. After some discussion and help navigating the SOU admissions process, Tovar decided to work towards a second bachelors degree in business with a focus on marketing. It was his work on this degree that laid the foundation for his career. Although Tovar was a bit skeptical about starting at SOU, he thrived. When you come from a different culture, you expect some culture shock. Considering I was a minority and initially my English wasnt great, I was a little concerned about how people would receive me. But everyone was so welcoming and helpful, he said. Studying English at SOU was ideal for me. I liked the atmosphere, the people, the small classes, and the beautiful scenery. Tovars ICSP scholarship required participation in international and cultural events, educational outreach to high schools, and other activities outside of his coursework. While on campus, Tovar was a member of the Latino Student Union and International Student Association, and he was recognized as an Outstanding Student Ambassador and Outstanding Marketing Student.Not only did I learn a lot, but I learned from professors who had real-world experience. They werent just teaching from a book. They would explain issues from their work in the business world, he said. For example, one of my professors, Mark Siders, would explain marketing situations from his experiences working at Johnson & Johnson. Another influential faculty member was adjunct instructor Jim Teece, an Ashland entrepreneur who is the current president of the SOU Foundation Board of Trustees. Jim was a marketing teacher for one of my classes, and the way that he embraced and supported me is something that I appreciate to this day. He taught me so much about business and having a career in the field, said Tovar.After graduating from SOU, Tovar and his wife Tessa Benedicktus Tovar 06 moved to Seattle, WA, where the two began their professional careers. Benedicktus worked for a venture capital firm at the time, and Tovar was introduced to the tech industry through her clients. When the two relocated to Californias Silicon Valley, it was so Tovar could work for a startup company, which Adobe acquired in 2018. As head of integration services at Adobe, Tovar leads a team responsible for integrating Adobe products and services with other applications and systems.When you work in digital advertising, things are changing every six months, so you have to adapt and stay educated. Looking at when my tech career started from 2009 to now, it is night and day, he said. THE RAIDER|FALL 202415'