OHIO's 2025 Westin Scholar is first from the College of Business
Fletcher Holquist, a business analytics and management information systems student at OHIO, became the University’s first College of Business recipient of the Westin Scholar Award. His transition from marketing to cybersecurity, supported by faculty mentors and interdisciplinary courses, reflects the critical role of privacy expertise in modern business.
Henry Gorsuch, BSJ '26 | April 30, 2025
Share:
Fletcher Holquist has been named the Westin Scholar. Holquist, who studies business analytics and management information systems (MIS) while also completing a business cybersecurity management certificate, is the first student from OHIO’s College of Business to receive the honor.
The Westin Scholar Award recognizes students poised to become leaders in the growing field of privacy and data protection. OHIO was approved to host the award contest last year, joining mostly law schools and some technical programs selected by the IAPP. The award includes a $1,000 prize, two years of IAPP membership, complimentary training materials and three certification exams.
For Holquist, the journey to this award began unexpectedly.
"I actually came into college studying marketing. I quickly realized that sales wasn't my thing, but I was really good at technical things in the weeds but wanted to stay in the business mindset".
A required cybersecurity course sparked a new direction.
"Professor Sam Ghawe kind of launched my interest within cybersecurity," Holquist recalled. "It piqued my interest and it's always changing." This led him to the business cybersecurity management certificate, a program combining courses from the College of Business and the Scripps College of Communication.
Cybersecurity meets business strategy
The selection process for the Westin Scholar award involved an essay contest judged by professors, leading to finalists being interviewed by the University's chief privacy officer. Holquist's essay required deep reflection.
"The essay was prompted to think about the security related classes that you've taken throughout your time at OHIO, reflect on how they are going to affect your future career aspirations and how they may have set you up for success in the future," he explained.
He found value in looking back on his coursework, which included classes in IT compliance and planning, data networking, and business cybersecurity.
"I think a lot of the time as students, we can do the work ‘just to get it done’ and not really take away anything from the courses," Holquist said. "But in something like security, with it being a growing field with so many laws and regulations, how serious people's information is and how often it can get leaked... I think the most difficult part was trying to reflect on the most meaningful concepts from each of those courses, put them on paper and relate them to how they can affect my future career."
Receiving the award, especially as the first from his college, felt significant.
"It's really cool," Holquist said. "It was honestly just a good practice for myself to reflect. I'm not great at making myself do reflection very often, so it was personally beneficial as well as professionally."
Holquist sees a connection between his business studies and cybersecurity needs. Companies handle vast amounts of sensitive customer data, from shipping addresses to financial details and social security numbers.
"When a company has this data, with the way that technology is evolving, people are able to take advantage of these companies' infrastructures if they're not correctly protected," he said. “Being able to understand what the business value is and what they're trying to get out of it as well as trying to protect our company’s reputation – as well as our customers’ – is extremely important, especially with the way technology is evolving".
Certifications, connections and cross-college synergy
Holquist said he appreciates the opportunity to pursue professional certifications offered through organizations like IAPP as an alternative or supplement to further formal education.
"By winning this award, I was able to receive three complimentary professional exams which I can study for and pass in order to further my education within security as well as add more to my resume and become more well-rounded," he said. He noted that the complimentary exams are a significant financial help, as they are valued at $600-$650 each.
The included IAPP membership also provides networking opportunities.
"Attending those events would be great networking time as well as just getting visualizations to what a chief financial officer or chief technology officer does,” Holquist said. “Being able to go up and shake their hand at an event like this would open a lot of doors for me in a business setting as well as be able to relate to the security aspects as well."
Holquist credited several OHIO faculty members for guiding him, including Professor Sam Ghawe for initially sparking his interest, Brandon Saunders for insights into network protection in his data networking class, and Bruce Tong for his industry experience shared in the IT compliance and planning course.
"Professor Tong recommending that we apply for this award was obviously inspirational to myself, to go out and do it," Holquist said.
For students curious about cybersecurity, particularly those outside traditional tech programs, Holquist recommends exploring the certificate program.
"I think the certificate provides a perfect opportunity for you to take three to four classes between the College of Business and [Scripps College of] Communication to really understand what the foundation of what security could be," he said. "It's a no-brainer if you're interested to just try it out."
He also gave a "shout-out to OHIO's business and communication schools for making this certification a thing, allowing students to dip between two different colleges and making it a seamless process.”
"I think that communication is a huge part of business, and the more that they can work together to create an inclusive culture for the students, the more beneficial it will be for the graduate."