For Solomon Jones (Accounting, ’89), his connection to The University of Akron’s College of Business has continued long after graduation. Today, as strategic growth advisor and chief financial officer for 1st Day School Supplies, Jones is helping create the same meaningful connections and real-world experiences that shaped his own career. His commitment to the College of Business and community was recognized in 2017 when he received the Dr. Frank L. Simonetti Distinguished Business Alumni Award.

Recently, Jones and the 1st Day School Supplies leadership team opened their doors to students in the College of Business’Executive Education program for a professional development day. The experience gave students an inside look at how a Northeast Ohio business operates while creating opportunities to engage directly with a College of Business alumnus and business leader.

For Jones, experiences like these are an important extension of a business education.

“Any practical experience you gain is positive for your growth,” Jones said. “It helps you develop as you apply your skills to the real world. Applying your knowledge to real-world challenges and problems provides a perspective not available in the classroom.”

That connection between classroom learning and the workplace is central to the College of Business’ approach to preparing students for successful careers. Through relationships with alumni and Northeast Ohio businesses, students have opportunities to see business in action, develop professional relationships, and pursue internships and other hands-on learning opportunities with organizations throughout the region.

Jones knows firsthand the value of those relationships. As a student at UA, he became involved in student organizations, which gave him opportunities to meet business professionals who helped shape his early career.

“A key learning was to build relationships and not hesitate to ask questions,” he said.

Now, he encourages today’s students to do the same.

“It's critical; it allows you an opportunity to start building a network that can help you during recruitment, and it also provides an opportunity for career advice,” Jones said. “You should leverage the experience within your network when possible.”

For Jones, those relationships have remained valuable throughout his career. He said he appreciates his College of Business experience even more today than he did as a student, particularly because of the network he developed. He also sees the college as an important source of future talent for businesses like 1st Day School Supplies.

“It's a tremendous benefit to have an institution like UA in your backyard,” he said. “Not only for recruiting talent but also as a provider of continuing education for formal classes or various certification programs.”

Jones also sees Northeast Ohio as an especially strong environment for students to learn, network and launch their careers. Having lived in California and North Florida, he values the region’s diverse corporate environment, industries and world headquarters — as well as the opportunities it provides for personal and professional growth.

Ultimately, Jones believes business education is about more than skills and knowledge. It is about relationships.

“Contrary to what people think, individuals hire and do business with people they like, know andor feel they can trust. Relationships matter,” he said.

His continued engagement with the College of Business — including welcoming students into his workplace — demonstrates the mutual value of those relationships. Students gain access to alumni expertise, professional networks and real-world experiences, while Northeast Ohio businesses gain connections to talented students and future employees.

While Jones’ professional journey has taken him well beyond campus, his connection to The University of Akron remains personal. Reflecting on his favorite UA memories, he points to the people and experiences that made his time as a student meaningful — including one especially memorable connection.

“I have so many great experiences from my fraternity, the exciting people I've met, former professors, but most memorable would be meeting my wife, Audrey (Family & Child Development, ’89), at UA,” Jones said.

Today, Jones is helping create those same meaningful connections for the next generation of Zips — opening doors, sharing his experience and showing students that some of the most valuable lessons in business happen when you step beyond the classroom.

UA’s College of Business is internationally accredited and ranked among the top 1% of business schools worldwide by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Through experiential learning, career readiness and strong corporate connections, the college empowers every Zip to say “yes” to opportunity and Experience Business.