Dr. Skylar Mayberry-Mayes is an iJAG alum whose passion for civic and social responsibility has never waivered since he graduated from North High School in Davenport. Skylar started his path to educational excellence by earning a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Northern Iowa (Finance) followed by a Master’s degree from Iowa State University (MBA) and later, a doctoral degree from Drake University (Ph.D) – making his future extremely bright just based on academic achievement alone! But Skylar’s accomplishments continued well beyond education.
As he pursued dynamic career paths in banking, finance, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) for Iowa employers such as Bankers Trust, Nationwide Insurance, and Principal Financial Group, Skylar remained rooted in giving back to his communities. Even so, he now has been appointed to serve as Executive Director of the Jacobson Center at Grand View University in Des Moines. Additional service titles range from Committee Chair to Board of Directors (and everything in between!) for organizations such as The United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, Invest in My Future, Des Moines Public Schools Foundation, and more.
Serving as a civic leader and talented business professional has propelled Skylar to notch these remarkable achievements:
- Forbes® Under 30 Scholar
- Business Record® 40 Under 40
- Iowa Governor’s Volunteer Service Award
- The Obama Foundation Presidential Volunteer Service Award
- Nationwide Insurance Volunteer of the Year
- Iowa District Director for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
- Lecturer for the UNI Professional Readiness Program
- Iowa Department of Human Services council member, Iowa Judicial Branch Magistrate Commission, and the UNI Wilson College of Business Executive Advisory Board.
“I associate iJAG with much of my professional interests in business and education. While in high school, iJAG encouraged me to attend college and align my appeal with the game Monopoly to a major in business finance. Not only were they defending my potential as a first-generation college student, but also helping me recognize the importance of education and how it could propel my future.” – Dr. Skylar Mayberry-Mayes
