Yvonne Cuevas

Recognizing the limitations imposed by having only a high school diploma in her banking career, Yvonne took the bold step to bridge the gap by pursuing the BA Management program. Her decision to enroll at SCPS was rooted in Loyola's reputation for providing a comprehensive program that accommodated her past experiences and credits. Having previously attended Loyola as an undergrad, Yvonne found comfort in returning to familiar territory.

"Loyola was probably one of the few that was offering more of a robust program that incorporated some of my past experiences and certainly past credits. That was important to me. And then I just obviously knew the reputation that Loyola had, and I was always impressed by that."

Transitioning back to school as an adult professional came with its challenges, but Yvonne navigated them with determination and support from advisors who helped her manage the workload alongside her full-time job. Reflecting on her experiences with professors, she acknowledges the transformative impact of professors who instilled rigor and a deeper appreciation for academica, even if initially perceived as irrelevant to her business focus. 

Since graduating from the program, Yvonne nows holds the position of Director of Foreign Currency Sales at Fifth Third Bank. Despite encountering challenges such as navigating the 2008 financial crisis and a job transition, her educational journey has equipped her with the resilience and skills necessary to thrive in a dynamic industry. As an SCPS ambassador, Yvonne is passionate about giving back and supporting fellow adult learners in their educational pursuits. Her advice to prospective students emphasizes the importance of finding support amongst family and coworkers.

"Make sure you have buy-in from your family and your coworkers. They're part of the process with you. They may not be taking the classes or completing the homework, but getting them to understand how important this is will help you along the way."