In celebration of those who have relocated to West Virginia , embraced our beloved state and now help us work toward a brighter future , Talent Transplant recognizes those who have adopted our Mountain Mama as their own .
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Javier Reyes
Photo by Alex Wilson .
BLAIR DOWLER
In celebration of those who have relocated to West Virginia , embraced our beloved state and now help us work toward a brighter future , Talent Transplant recognizes those who have adopted our Mountain Mama as their own .
When Javier Reyes accepted the position of Milan Puskar Dean of the West Virginia University ( WVU ) College of Business and Economics ( B & E ), he did not simply take on a new a role at the state ’ s largest land grant institution — he discovered a new home in the Mountain State and a passion for helping move West Virginia forward .
“ The reason I made West Virginia my home is because it needs help , and it ’ s the kind of place where you can do something meaningful ,” says Reyes . “ I didn ' t come here because the situation is bad . I came because there are people who want to change the situation and the narrative . You don ' t want to go work in a place where you ' re going to be the only voice for change . If the mindset was not one of ‘ We ' re ready to move the state forward ,’ then it wouldn ’ t work .”
Joining the Mountaineer Family
Reyes knew when he met the WVU administration — including President Gordon Gee ; Provost Joyce McConnell ; Vice Provost John Campbell ; and Gene Cilento , dean of the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources — that this was the right team for him .
“ I could instantly see this was a team
I wanted to be part of ,” he says . “ I think I came to West Virginia and adopted it because I saw that there are hardworking , passionate people who want to make a positive impact on this beautiful state and innovate and take back the narrative , showing the rest of the world all the state has to offer .”
It wasn ’ t just a dean position at the state ’ s flagship school or the opportunity to be part of an incredible team that drew Reyes to West Virginia . The Mountain State also happened to be the perfect fit for the entire Reyes family . It didn ’ t take long for Reyes ’ wife , Maritza , and their two sons , Javi and Diego , to call West Virginia home .
“ The boys were concerned about leaving their friends and their school , but when you ’ re raising a family , you want to prepare them for the future ,” says Reyes . “ We explained why this change would be good for them and how they would have the opportunity to make new friends while staying connected with their old friends . When Javi and Diego traveled here to visit , they met with a group of student ambassadors at the middle and high schools , and they felt so welcomed . When Maritza and the boys met President Gee , he was so kind to them . Everyone continued to reiterate that they wanted my entire family to feel at home . We ’ ve been to Texas and Arkansas , but we ’ ve never felt more welcomed than we have here in West Virginia .”
Building Blocks for Success
While Reyes relocated here in 2016 , his journey to West Virginia began long ago . From a young age , Reyes , a native of Mexico City , Mexico , had a natural sense of curiosity and an appreciation for math and statistics , which led him to major in economics . He wanted to use his inquisitive nature and knack for math and statistics to make an impact and affect people ’ s lives . A life in academia was the ideal pathway , so he went on to earn a Ph . D . in economics .
Over the course of 13 years at the University of Arkansas Sam M . Walton College of Business , Reyes continued to evolve , question and hone his passion . It was there he realized how much he enjoyed working with students . By the spring of 2016 , he was balancing three roles : vice provost for distance education , associate dean for undergraduate studies and executive education and full-time professor in the business school ’ s economics department .
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