We seek to foster positive, productive collaboration among all members of our Rice Business community—students, faculty, staff, alumni and other stakeholders. By ensuring that every member of the community feels welcomed, valued and respected, our efforts will create and sustain a community well-versed and equipped with competencies and resources necessary to succeed in a world that recognizes and embraces our individual and collective uniqueness.
We intentionally create a tight-knit, collaborative culture at Rice Business where we respect and value our differences, leveraging them as sources of strength and innovation — on campus — and in the business world.
Held every October, the Sparking Success Conference is designed to provide a forum for awareness, dialogue and skill-building around issues of belonging as it relates to the business world.
We’re a collaborative, selective business school with a unique learning culture. Our tight-knit community means you’ll know your classmates and professors by name, all while being in the same building.
Several student clubs and organizations exist to help the Rice Business community to share, explore career opportunities and support long-term relationships.
The military taught me discipline and provided me the space to build goals for my life. While deployed me and my battle buddies used to discuss our dreams together. For me, one of those dreams was to obtain a college education and give back to underserved communities.
When the final pitches wrapped and the judges cast their votes, one team rose to the top of this year’s Veterans Business Battle: IntuBlade. The startup, founded by two Purple Heart recipients, is developing a single-use video laryngoscope that plugs into any smartphone — a practical, field-ready solution designed to improve outcomes in high-pressure medical situations. Their win capped a competitive two-day event at Rice Business that brought together veteran entrepreneurs from across the country.
These learning and discovery resources are meant to spark thought, reflection and self-education.
Houston Impact Series:
The Houston Impact Series highlights influential leaders who are positively influencing the Houston Community. Previous speakers include:
Fall 2025 - Arianne Dowdell, vice president, chief culture & engagement officer, Houston Methodist, Prashant Kale Associate Professor of Strategic Management, Rice Business
Spring 2025 - Norma Torres Mendoza, Senior Director, EY-Parthenon, Danika Brown, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Center for Civic Leadership, Rice University
Fireside Chat Series:
Exemplary Stories of corporate initiatives. Held in fall and spring semesters. Previous speakers include:
Fall 2024 - Richa Bansal, founder and executive career coach at Pinkcareers, Jessica Campbell, executive director of the Career Development Office at Rice Business
Spring 2024 - Janis Burke, chief executive officer for the Harris County - Houston Sports Authority, Dr. Anthea Zhang, Fayez Sarofim Vanguard Chair Professor of Strategy at Rice Business
Fall 2023 - Julian Duncan, chief marketing officer for the Houston Rockets, Dr. Connie Porter, senior associate dean and associate clinical professor of marketing
Spring 2023 - Jerry Guerrero, director, diversity, equity and inclusion, Roku, Brad Burke, managing director, Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship
Fall 2022 - David Enrique Ruiz, senior vice president, community relations manager, Bank of America, Dean Peter Rodriguez, Rice Business Dean and Professor of Strategic Management
Spring 2022 - Janet Pope, vice president, corporate social responsibility, North America, CapGemini Dr. Doug Schuler, associate professor of business and public policy, Jones Graduate School of Business
Annual Conference
Sparking Success: A forum for awareness, dialogue and skill-building around issues of culture, belonging and engagement in the business world. Learn more
Beyond BUSI
Beyond BUSI is a series of quarterly programs for undergraduate students centered around three core values: community building, resource sharing and development. The events foster opportunities for connection, provide undergraduates with exposure and access to Rice Business resources, and create opportunities for personal growth and professional development.
Scholar Talk
The Rice Business Office of Belonging and Engagement hosts Scholar Talk, programming for doctoral students, to help foster interdisciplinary collaboration and connections among students as they navigate their doctoral journey. The programs change throughout the year, covering topics like positionality and community building.
Continuing the Conversation Workshop
Rice Business is dedicated to making academic experiences inclusive and forward thinking. We’re proud to support staff through learning opportunities. Previous topics include:
Disability & Accessibility
Gender
Race, Allyship, and Inclusion
Learnings and Looking Ahead
EmpowerHer
EmpowerHer is an annual community building event for women at Rice Business. The event invites undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff to connect, engage in thoughtful table topic conversation, share their experiences and resources, and grow in community with one another.
