Two students from Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business Administration have earned the Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) credential, a national certification recognizing comprehensive knowledge in international business.

Moritz Bayer, a senior finance major from Vienna, Austria, and James Slessor, a senior supply chain management major from Auckland, New Zealand, passed the CGBP exam administered by NASBITE International, the National Association for Small Business International Trade Educators.

The CGBP credential demonstrates professional competency in global business management, marketing, supply chain management and trade finance. It serves as a benchmark for individuals pursuing careers in international commerce and is increasingly recognized by major employers nationwide.

At YSU, students can prepare for the credential through the Ohio Export Internship Program or the Export Strategy course, both offered through the Williamson College of Business Administration. YSU is a NASBITE Educational Partner, a distinction awarded to institutions committed to advancing global business education.

Since 2015, 26 YSU students have earned the CGBP credential, underscoring the business college’s ongoing success in preparing students for international business careers. Each year, certified trainer Mousa Kassis, network director of the Small Business Development Center and Export Assistance, and Mariah Hauser, an international trade advisor, volunteer their time to train students for the exam. The Office of the Dean reimburses the exam fee for students who pass.

“YSU students who earned the CGBP certification secured positions with regional, national and international companies, achieving wages up to seven thousand dollars higher than comparable jobs,” said Kassis, director of the Ohio Export Internship Program at YSU. “These outcomes are consistently supported by surveys conducted by both YSU and Ohio State University, demonstrating the real value this credential brings to our graduates.”

Bayer and Slessor both completed the Ohio Export Internship Program, gaining hands-on experience with Northeast Ohio companies.

Bayer served as an export specialist with Humtown Products, focusing on export documentation and international market research. He also interned with the Ohio Small Business Development Center at YSU as a Beeghly Fellow, where he continues to develop expertise in market research, exporting and government contracting. A captain of the YSU men’s swim and dive team, he plans to graduate in May 2026 and pursue a career in finance or global trade.

Slessor interned with Haltec Corporation in Leetonia, Ohio, supporting international sales and customer service. This fall, he joined the SBDC and APEX Accelerator at YSU as a Beeghly Fellow intern, assisting regional companies with export readiness and government contracting. Also a captain of the YSU men’s swim and dive team, he plans to pursue a career in international sales and logistics after graduation.