Pillar 2
Leadership and Oversight
We are committed to ensuring that every member of our Rice Business community is confident that the leadership team is addressing strategic priorities, policies and practices that foster a sense of belonging, where every person feels wholly accepted, included and valued.
At Rice Business, our leadership team is committed to addressing belonging and engagement as strategic priorities. Our goal is to ensure everyone, especially those from historically excluded or under-resourced groups, feels accepted, included and valued. We strive to build confidence throughout the community that these efforts are being actively pursued and implemented.
Rice Business Senior Leadership Team
Dean Peter Rodriguez has cultivated a senior leadership team with the breadth of experiences and perspectives that fosters innovative and fair decision-making.
Dean-Level Leadership of Belonging and Engagement
In 2021, Dean Rodriguez appointed Professor Constance Porter as senior associate dean for belonging and engagement. Senior Associate Dean Porter’s appointment expanded the scope of the preexisting Office. Under her leadership, four additional staff members have joined the Office for Belonging and Engagement, including an executive director, director, assistant director and office administrator.
Rice Business Office for Belonging and Engagement Collaborates with University Partners
The Office for Belonging and Engagement actively partners with leaders across the university to share best practices, work on joint initiatives and ensure that Rice Business policies and practices are both visible and aligned with institutional goals. Our collaborative efforts are supported by key partners across the university.
Office of Business and Operations
In 2022, Dean Rodriguez appointed Christian Rafidi as chief business officer and associate dean for finance and administration to lead the Office of Business and Operations. Associate Dean Rafidi has grown the office to include:
- Business Information Center: Nicolas Oscar Castellanos, Director
- Building Operations: Deanna Golden, Senior Director
- Events and Venue Management: Victoria Nguyen, Manager, Events and Venue Management Operations; Barbara Brave, Manager, Event Logistics and Venue Management
- Faculty Services Administration: Owen Amadin, Director
- Financial Services: Tim Pitts, Executive Director
- Office of Technology
- Staff Administration: Jessica Krom, Director