Non-Traditional Student Wes Nelson Graduates as Outstanding Business Graduate With His Sights Set Higher
Wes Nelson will graduate from Owens Community College in May with an Associate of Science in Business, but what he’ll take with him is almost as valuable — experiences and relationships that challenged and changed him to become a better leader.
Nelson was named his program’s outstanding graduate after coming to Owens as a non-traditional student at 33. He had previously worked in a wide range of fields, from creating, formatting and editing captions for telephones for the Deaf and hard of hearing to pest control, and the journey to Owens came with a desire to improve his future.
“My journey here hasn’t been a straight line, but a deliberate effort to build a better professional foundation for my future,” Nelson said.
Nelson said his time at Owens was defined by the people who pushed him to evolve, mentioning professors Dr. Genesis Downey, Jen Hazel and Rob Thomas. He also served as a Student Ambassador, a role that helped in his development.
“The staff at Student Life — Jen Togrul, Carrie Heller and James Zeller — played a pivotal role in my development. They thrust me into social experiences that forced me to sharpen my interpersonal skills and provided the environment I needed to grow as a leader,” Nelson said. “Because of their guidance, I’m graduating with a level of professional confidence I didn’t have when I started.”
Nelson also said his wife, Jasmine, has been “the foundation that allowed me to succeed.”
“While my name is on the degree, the most important person to my success is my wife,” he added.
Graduation is a stepping stone for Nelson, who will next enroll at the University of Toledo in pursuit of a Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
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Published May 2026