“DJ, traveler, and speaker building community through business, technology and impact.”
Fun fact about yourself: I enjoy DJing and once ran an indie music label
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
High School: Lane Tech College Prep
Major: Information Systems
Minor: The Hoeft Technology and Management Program
Favorite Business Course: BADM 300 with Professor Tanner Warnick: Business Law. The course piqued my interest in the intersectionality of cybersecurity, intellectual property and business law.
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
- Gies Scholar and James Scholar
- Gies Admissions Team Intern
- Gies Stewardship and Advancement Ambassador
- Keynote Speaker at the Gies College of Business Scholarship Luncheon, Spring 2024
- Winner of the IBESCC 10-Minute Case Competition, Spring 2024
- Vice President of Operations of Supply Chain Academy, Spring 2023
- Vice President of Corporate Affairs of Supply Chain Academy, Fall 2023
- Director of Athletic Performance for the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), Spring 2023
- Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Jacome Ventures
- Member of Class XXX (30) for the Hoeft Technology and Management Program
- Head of Marketing and Co-founder of Raices y Alas (Roots and Wings), Food Drive and Fashion Showcase
- Member of the A & E community
Where have you interned during your college career?
- KPMG US – Chicago, IL, Embark Scholar, Summer 2024
- KPMG US – Chicago, IL, Customer & Operations Intern, Summer 2024
- Boeing – Seattle, WA & Champaign, IL (Hybrid), Senior Hoeft Technology and Management Capstone Project, Spring 2026
Where will you be working after graduation? KPMG US, Customer & Operations Technology Associate
Who is your favorite business professor? When you study at the Gies College of Business, where professors are world-renowned experts in their field, it is hard to choose one professor. My first and favorite business professor is Cory Ohms. Cory has supported and advised me since my first day on campus. Cory taught BUS 115, BUS 116, and BUS 315 and these courses shaped my foundation in business leadership, ethics, and global business perspectives. My favorite class is when Cory invited Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Kevin Jackson to our BUS 115 class to speak about biases that may appear in business and how to overcome those to create impact. Cory taught me to think about business as a way to create access and level the playing field for all. Cory is one of the greatest human beings I know. He is humble, kind, dependable, and loyal. He is an amazing father and son, who goes far beyond the role of a professor or dean. I owe a major part of my Gies experience and success to Cory Ohms.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The biggest lesson I gained from studying business is how business can empower students to create meaningful impact, and that lesson is something I carry with me every day. Business has allowed me to empower my younger brothers and other young Latinos towards entrepreneurship and higher education. This empowerment has allowed me to help them land scholarships, pursue leadership roles, and most importantly, inspire them to believe that success is within their reach. For me, the greatest reward is seeing others seize the same opportunities I was given. I learned that business empowers students to uplift others and creates a legacy that lasts for generations.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? My honest advice for a student looking to major in a business-related field is to think less about what they want to do, and focus more on their why. In other words, be intentional with all that you plan to pursue. Take the time to reflect on what inspired you because business without a clear purpose is emptiness. You need to find your North Star; this is a guiding principle that grounds your decisions. My North Star is my family. I honor those who came before me and create access to those who follow in my footsteps. I always remember the wise words of Gies Business alum Al Goldstein: “When the waters get rough and the journey seems impossible, just remember your North Star.”
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? Reflecting on my career here at Gies, I wish I learned about the power of “no” sooner. Gies Business Chief Information Officer Chris Tidrick shared with me that every “yes” is hundreds of “no’s” and this reshaped how I think about opportunity cost. While being involved in a multitude of organizations can be a great thing, our Admissions and Recruiting Director Kaci Abolt taught me that saying no, to even good things, is healthy and necessary. I wish I protected my time sooner in my college career and chose things that I valued. A busy schedule is not necessarily a signal of success – it can also be a sign of unclear priorities. If I could speak to my younger self, I would tell him to prioritize quality over quantity and never be too busy just for the sake of being busy.
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? One way Gies has integrated AI into our programming is through BADM 323: Marketing & Communications. In this class, students are split up into groups to fix the brand image and marketing of a failing company. Our group chose Jaguar and we were encouraged to utilize Sora.AI to make promo videos and ads for our new branding. I gained insight on how to leverage AI to expand the creative palette of marketers through creation of videos and images. AI empowers marketers to see their creation come to life right before your eyes, with a simple prompt. The real insight, however, is that AI enhances strategy but does not replace it.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of speaking at the Griffin Scholarship Luncheon. I am the proud recipient of the Griffin Hale James Memorial Scholarship and had the honor to thank the donor herself, Ms. Sara James. Ms. James and Gies College of Business established the Griffin Hale James Memorial Scholarship to honor Griffin’s generosity, his unwavering belief in education, and his motto: “People first. Then things. Then money.” Griffin’s legacy reminds us that impact is about more than financial support; it’s about mentoring, encouraging, and instilling confidence in those who follow. Oftentimes, scholarship recipients never meet their donors, and to personally thank my donor for her family’s courageous financial gift, was humbling. This experience was not made possible without the support of Rebecca Pagels, Rob Dalhaus, Sylvia Briscoe, Dean Brooke Elliott, and Brian Agnoletti.
Which classmate do you most admire? The classmate I admire the most is Howard Ding. He is a senior studying Finance, Statistics, Mathematics and who minors in Computer Science, the Hoeft Technology and Management Program, and economics. He is one of my closest friends in the world. He is the reason I applied for the Hoeft Technology and Management program. Howard inspires me to challenge the status quo of what it means to be a business student and to take full advantage of the opportunities available at the University of Illinois. Howard and I have navigated the depths of Brazil’s favelas and always have time to grab a bite at the best restaurants in any town. No matter what season of my life I am in, Howard is always there by my side.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? I attribute all my success to my parents, Yessenia and Juan Jacome. My parents instilled in me the definition of success before I ever stepped into any classroom or boardroom. They are living proof of resilience, integrity, humility, and the importance of giving back. I strive to honor the foundation my parents built before me. They encourage me in my darkest valleys and celebrate me in all my victories. They taught me that success is not about achievement, but about character, consistency, and using every platform to speak up for those who can’t. Every speech, every luncheon, and every achievement is to honor their hard work and perseverance.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
1. Become a prominent Latino Donor for Gies Business
2. Build a national financial literacy program that empowers Latino families
What made Jonathon such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2026?
“Jonathon has stood out as a passionate leader in Gies Business since his first year. He’s actively considered and sought out curricular and co-curricular experiences that align with his purpose and provide a challenge. For me, I’ve been very impressed with the way Jonathon intentionally navigates options and doesn’t aim to be busy for the sake of adding things to a resume or personal gain. He leans into opportunities with ambition and intentionality – soaking in every minute of his Gies Business experience. As an intern on our admissions team for 3 years, Jonathon has connected with thousands of prospective students and propelled initiatives focused on expanding access–leaving a lasting legacy for future generations of leaders in Gies Business.”
Kaci Abolt
Senior Associate Director, Undergraduate Admissions and Recruiting
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