You may wonder why our history matters. Knowing where you come from helps to chart a course for the future. I believe it matters that we never forget where we started, as a business school and as a vital part of Rice University. The vision of our namesake Jesse Jones shines through every day in the halls of McNair Hall.
As dean of the Jones Graduate School of Business, I say with conviction to our students, alumni, faculty and staff: You are part of our family. That’s why our tagline, You Belong Here, resonates so deeply for us. It’s a place to begin our story with prospective students. For newcomers and old-timers, Rice Business is a school of acceptance and encouragement. It’s a launch pad and a safe haven. It’s a place to learn and find your way.
I like to tell our students: This is the best decision you’ll ever make. To an organization, you are worth the size of the problem you can solve, and a business school’s job is to teach you to solve bigger and more complex problems — the ones all organizations face. We believe our students must be broadly and rigorously trained, but first and foremost they must be empathetic and passionate. We’re looking to make leaders.
No matter the program you choose, you are here to learn to lead. Our degrees have their foundation in the high-caliber teaching of our professors and the cutting-edge research that informs it. Rice Business Wisdom brings that research to a broader audience in a compelling, quick-to-read package that’s going to change the way you think.
All of these efforts reinforce what we already know: that important work is underway. It’s a privilege to be part of it.
—Peter Rodriguez, Dean
