Fowler College of Business Fowler Scholars Program Spotlight: Landon Delgadillo

Landon Delgadillo, Fowler Scholar Class of 2022

The Fowler Scholars Program was created to educate and prepare a select group of Fowler College of Business students for accelerated and lasting leadership roles in global business and society. Each year, the college selects a new group of freshmen from the local San Diego area to become Fowler Scholars. The students who are selected for the program have demonstrated leadership, ethical conduct, and finally, exceptional academic and collaborative abilities. 

Landon Delgadillo, a class of 2022 Fowler Scholar, is a junior majoring in accounting and minoring in Management Information Systems. Delgadillo has been involved in several on-campus organizations, including the SDSU Entrepreneur Society, where he is currently President, and the Student Accounting Society. After graduation, Delgadillo aspires to join one of the Big Four accounting firms and then later start a commercial real estate company in order to bring Fortune 500 companies to San Diego. Delgadillo shares his college experience, what being a Fowler scholar means to him, advice for current Fowler students, and more.

Q: What does it mean to you to be a Fowler Scholar? 

Being a Fowler Scholar means learning and practicing ethical business leadership. I have a responsibility to practice business in an ethical way to better not only myself but the world around me. This program teaches me how to do so.

Q: Can you describe a little bit about yourself and how/when you decided to pursue accounting as an area of study?

I am a self-motivated learner who is passionate about entrepreneurship, learning and understanding the world around me. I find every opportunity as a chance to improve myself and become the best version of myself possible. I chose accounting because I saw it as a way of learning a very important aspect of business. I thought if I knew the books I could learn the rest.

Delgadillo with friends Ryan Pham and Davis Boring at the 2019 Stock Market Challenge, where they took first place.

Q: If you’re involved in SDSU student organizations on campus or affiliated with any organizations off campus, can you share why you got involved and what your experience has been like so far?

I am currently president of the SDSU Entrepreneur Society, I got involved with it my freshman year and it has been a phenomenal experience. I have learned so much about the business world and entrepreneurship overall. I get to learn and network with all types of entrepreneurs and have met some of my closest friends. 

Q: What experience in the Fowler Scholars Program has been the most impactful?

Getting to meet important business leaders such as Ron Fowler, Fred Pierce, Mark Lindner, and many more. I have been exposed to so many different aspects of the business world, areas involving social entrepreneurship, commercial development and banking. My favorite experience has been meeting some of the schools most successful graduates at a dinner at Mr. A’s. It was truly an incredible experience. I had never thought I would meet so many successful business leaders at once. Seeing firsthand how these high-level individuals talk and connect exemplified how I wanted to behave and practice business. 

Delgadillo with friends Till Kue and Davis Boring at the 2020 Stock Market Challenge.

Q: Who inspires you and why?

I have a few inspirations. My mother taught me that hard work is important and that things come to those who go after them. Warren Buffet has also been a huge inspiration to me, because he has such a unique approach to creating wealth and displays how to be an ethical business person. Similarly, I want to demonstrate both intelligence and thoroughness in my own business practices.

Delgadillo and peers at an Entrepreneur Society event in the fall of 2019. From left to right: Landon Delgadillo, Zach Fischer, Jessica Gutin, Bella Messina, Isaac Javed, Cassy Garner, Lisa Schloss and Adam Amanylla. The man in the chair is Noel Lee, Founder of Monster Cable.

Q: If you could go back to your freshman year, what advice would you give yourself?

Take it slow, this time is yours to enjoy and develop yourself. Everyone you meet can teach you something, be open to it.

Q: What is the best advice you have received during your time at SDSU?

The best advice I have received at SDSU is to follow opportunities and develop skill sets instead of chasing a paycheck. The money will come once you have the skills and experience. 

Q: What career aspirations do you have following your time at SDSU?

When I graduate, I plan to join one of the Big 4 accounting firms and develop my skills in audit accounting, as well as pursue data science. Eventually, I hope to start a commercial real estate company and help bring Fortune 500 companies to San Diego so that my hometown can grow into a more globalized city.

*All images with groups of people were taken prior to COVID-19.