Overview
Cohen Ayres
Majors: International Business, Entrepreneurship and Marketing
Expected Graduation: Spring 2026
Hometown: Garden Plain, Kansas
Cohen Ayres is an international business, entrepreneurship and marketing major who brings leadership, curiosity, and dedication to every space he enters. Raised a proud Shocker by two WSU alumni, Cohen grew up connected to Wichita State and always envisioned himself studying at the Barton School of Business.
Cohen has been a two-term Chapter President of Sigma Phi Epsilon and also served as Vice President of the SigEp Learning Community. Leading the organization through cultural transformation, academic improvement, and national recognition has been the most meaningful achievement of his time at WSU. These accomplishments were made possible by the Rudd Scholar Program and several additional scholarships that made his education and leadership involvement accessible.
A standout leader, Cohen plans to work for Sigma Phi Epsilon Headquarters after graduation, traveling to support chapters nationwide or managing a regional portfolio. Later, he hopes to earn an MBA and pursue a career in strategy and management consulting.
Cohen is inspired by his father, one of the earliest recipients of the Jabara Scholarship, who proved that education can be made attainable through dedication and opportunity. Following in those footsteps as a second-generation Jabara Scholar is something Cohen carries with pride.
Something many people do not know about Cohen is that he grew up on a farm, running his own small chicken and duck operations and helping with his family’s Wagyu business, Wheat State Wagyu. Those early experiences taught him the value of hard work and sparked his interest in entrepreneurship.
Cohen’s decision to add marketing to his major came after a professor shifted his perspective by saying, “everything is marketing.” That idea transformed the way he views business and shaped his approach to problem-solving.
Being recognized as one of Barton’s 25 Under 25 is a profound honor for Cohen. It acknowledges his effort and the dedication he brings to every commitment, while motivating him to continue making an impact that reflects the values of leadership, service, and integrity.