Tell us about yourself:
I am a Hays High School alum who completed my undergraduate business degrees in Accounting/Finance, Marketing, and Management from Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS. I also completed my Master's of Business Administration and Master's of Science in Education from Fort Hays State University. Before transitioning to the realm of secondary education, I worked at Tabor College, The University of Kansas School of Medicine - Wichita, and Koch Supply & Trading, LP in a variety of capacities (i.e., Collegiate Soccer Coach, Financial Aid/Scholarship Representative, Commodity Analyst, and Analyst Supervisor); most recently, I was a Marketer/Trader at Koch Ag and Energy Solutions, LLC.
What do you now do for a living? How did you end up choosing this career path?
I currently serve as a Business Education Teacher and Head Boys Soccer Coach at Hays High School. I also am Chairman of Significant Soccer, LLC, an organization created to develop both technical soccer skills and professional working skills for youth/teens in the Hays area. I chose this career path primarily for the fact that the most influential mentors in my life were my high school and college teachers and coaches. I feel it an honor and privilege to pass on their wisdom and knowledge to the next generation.
Why did you choose to attend FHSU?
FHSU was a financially-wise, geographically-convenient graduate education solution. My wife and I returned to our hometown to pursue our dream jobs while looking to help make the community of Hays an even better place.
What are your favorite memories from your time as a student?
My favorite memories most definitely pertain to late-night group projects in McCartney Hall as an MBA student. During this period, I was able to build numerous lifelong friendships with a diverse array of international students!
What advice do you have for current or prospective FHSU students?
My advice would be to forever possess a growth mindset, passion for learning, and positive attitude; the more versatile you become, the more you can anticipate and embrace life's changes. Stand firm in what you believe is right, while embracing the challenge process as there is always room for learning and growth, regardless of your position. Simply stated, be a person of high integrity.
Tell us about someone at FHSU who has left a lasting impression:
Hands down, the following three professors left lasting impressions on me as they were classy, professional, and, most importantly, honest/real with me as a student: Dr. Candace Mehaffey-Klutgen (MBA), Dr. Kevin Splichal (MSE), and Dr. Elodie Jones (MSE).
In what ways are you proud to be a Tiger?
As a child, my family would often say I was a lot like my grandfather, Dorth E. Hibbs, Ed.S, who was also an FHSU alum; I'm proud to continue the Hibbs' legacy of being a Tiger!
Silas Hibbs '18, Hays, was recognized by NetWork Kansas for his involvement in the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge Series. You can read more at https://hayspost.com/posts/f53ffb9a-723c-496c-beed-b57b9a350047