Posted on January 20, 2025 by Rebekah Alegria
Elissa Ayoub, a senior pursuing a B.B.A. in Finance at the Carlos Alvarez College of Business at UTSA, uncovered her passion for business early on.
Inspired by her family’s entrepreneurial efforts in her home country of Lebanon, her interests in understanding how business decisions drive innovation and growth were sparked. Driven to make an impact, Elissa Ayoub found a perfect fit in the college’s hands-on learning environment and supportive culture.
“The professors at the Alvarez College of Business bring invaluable industry experience into the classroom,” Ayoub shared. “It’s a place where theory meets practice, equipping students like me to navigate real-world challenges with confidence.”
Ayoub has fully embraced the opportunities UTSA offers. She is an inaugural member of the college’s Ambassador program, where she represents the college by engaging with prospective students and their families to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment.
“Being an ambassador has given me the chance to connect with students and share what makes this college so special,” Ayoub said.
Other extracurricular activities include membership in the Investment Society, where she works alongside peers to analyze market trends and develop investment strategies. Her passion for chess inspired her to join the Chess Club, where she continues to hone her critical thinking and strategic planning skills in a more casual and enjoyable environment.
Pursuing her professional passions, Ayoub interned this summer at Valero Energy, where she gained insights into the energy sector. Her role involved analyzing complex data sets and developing strategies to improve efficiency.
“This internship reminded me of the power of resilience and adaptability,” she explained. “It also reinforced how teamwork and diverse perspectives can create the best solutions.”
One of Ayoub’s most rewarding experiences at UTSA was leading the finance team in a business development project for an introductory business course. Tasked with creating and managing a business from the ground up, Ayoub helped her team design and sell pet ID tags.
“We showcased our project at BestFest, and it was incredible to see our work come to life,” she shared. “Our team ended up achieving the highest profits the class had seen in years.” As Ayoub looks ahead to her graduation in the spring of 2025, she is focused on furthering her education and career. She plans to pursue a MBA to deepen her expertise in finance and strengthen her leadership skills. Her long-term goals include having a dynamic career that allows her to combine problem-solving, teamwork and strategic thinking.
For students just beginning their journey at the Alvarez College of Business, Ayoub offers this advice: “Get involved, seek out challenges and take advantage of the resources available. The Alvarez Student Success Center, in particular, is a great place to start building your professional skills. Every experience is a steppingstone toward your goals.”
— Rebekah Alegria
