Pillar 5

Student, Faculty and Staff Development

We are committed to recruiting, retaining and advancing students, staff and faculty from populations that reflect the diverse identities represented in our city, nation and world, especially those from historically-excluded and/or under-resourced populations in higher education. As part of this commitment, we will enhance the cultural competency of our students, staff and faculty in ways that prepare them to engage and contribute as inclusive leaders, teachers, scholars, advocates and/or allies in a diverse, equitable campus and workplace environment.

Student Development

Career Development Office

Student Association Sponsorships

The Career Development Office (CDO) provided sponsorship funding to student organizations in support of various DEI initiatives and programs:

  • Asian Business Student Association - Asian Business Communication Workshop
  • Black Business Student Association - DE&I in Consulting
  • Out and Allied and Finance Association - A Goldman Sachs Perspective-Inclusivity in the Finance Industry
  • Rice Business Veteran's Association - Lunch and Learn-Recruiting how-to's for Veterans Conference
  • Rice Business Women's Organization - Own Your Career Lunch and Learn
  • Rice Business Women's Organization, Men as Allies and Finance Association - Women in Finance Panel
  • Women in Leadership Conference (WILC) - Career Conference Support

The CDO provides pre-MBA prep as well as on-site support to students attending summer and fall career expos with Rice Business Strategic Partners, including Consortium Orientation Program (OP), Forté Foundation for Women, National Black MBA Association, Inc. (NBMBAA), Prospanica, Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) and the MBA Veteran’s conferences. Specifically, the CDO staff provides career advising, pitch development and career expo strategy.

The CDO’s Network Now Series is designed to bring together International MBA students with international alumni. The series of three events focuses on building community among International MBAs in a business casual networking setting and incorporates the advice and experiences of select Rice Business alumni that align with this target audience.

Inaugural MD Anderson Cancer Center Summer Internship Program for MBA and Master of Health Administration (MHA) Students

Rice Business CDO collaborated with MD Anderson Cancer Center and other local institutions to create a MBA/MHA Summer Internship program that provides students from historically underrepresented populations in healthcare, including women and minorities, access to mentoring and training within the healthcare space as part of an 11-week, full time engagement. Keila E. Torres, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS (EMBA, 2021), Head for Research, Division of Surgery Associate Professor, Sarcoma Surgical Oncology & Genomic Medicine Departments and MD Anderson led the effort to develop this program.

Rice Business had one student, Danna Ghafir, participate in this inaugural program.

“My work at MD Anderson this summer focuses on identifying return on investment metrics for biomedical device innovation and translational research in the Division of Surgery. I’ve had the privilege of working with a dynamic, diverse and brilliant team of bioengineers, surgeons and public health experts who have created a supportive environment for me as a learner. I’ve also had the opportunity to connect with and learn from leaders across the institution whose insights I will carry with me throughout my career in healthcare.”
Danna Ghafir, 2023 MBA/MHA Summer Intern

Graduate Strategic Partnerships

Rice Business is dedicated to making academic experiences inclusive and forward thinking. We’re proud to support all our students through strategic partnerships with local and national affinity organizations. These alliances provide opportunities for scholarship, career prep and programs for women, underrepresented minority students, and others committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in the business ranks. 

Consortium for Graduate Studies in Management

  • Rice Business joined as the 19th school member in 2017. 
  • Lina Bell, executive director for the Office for DEI, is a board member. 
  • Class of 2024 had the highest number of incoming students — 28 — in a cohort to date. 
    • Consortium Happy Hour – Spring 2023
      This Recruiting and Admissions Office event was hosted directly following the release of Round Two decisions to provide a celebratory moment for all newly admitted Consortium students. This event was launched by the Recruiting and Admissions Office but executed by current Consortium students.
    • Consortium Orientation Program – Summer 2023
      This program is led by our external partner, the Consortium, to facilitate meaningful connections with the incoming students, to network more broadly among other MBA programs, and begin engaging with corporate partners supporting the conference in hopes of securing career opportunities. The Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Career Development, and Recruiting and Admissions teams collaborated to support the preparation of this program for all incoming Consortium students, including setting expectations about the conference experience. Support to students included career advising, pitch development and career expo strategy. 100% of the fifteen attendees ultimately matriculated to Rice Business.

National Black MBA Association, Inc.

  • Rice Business participates in the College Partnership Program.
  • Two scholarships in the amount of $25,000 are offered to incoming MBA students as well as other benefits of membership.
    • National Black MBA Conference (NBMBA) & Career Expo – Fall 2022
      This event provided support to current students attending NBMBAA Career Expo, including career advising, pitch development and career expo strategy. Career sessions in collaboration with Black Business Student Association and two Career Development Office staff were available during the conference/career expo for on-demand coaching throughout the event.

Prospanica

  • Marie Bergeron and Maria De Alba Ortiz are board members.
    • Prospanica Conference – Fall 2022
      The Career Development Office (CDO) offered conference support, including advising, pitch development and career expo strategy to current students attending the virtual Prospanica conference career. The CDO offers ongoing support through two Prospanica Board memberships in the Houston Chapter, including promoting companies interested in Hispanic talent, professionals and students. Rice Business was recognized by the Prospanica Houston Board for leadership, commitment and dedication to empowering and enabling Hispanic professionals to achieve their full educational, economic and social potential.

FORTÉ Foundation

  • The Class of 2025 Forté Cohort was comprised of 66 women in the full-time and professional MBA programs.
  • All women in the full-time, hybrid, and professional MBA programs who enrolled prior to the registration date were invited to attend the Forté MBA Women’s Conference in Dallas, June 16-17. Conference attendees explored career paths, connected with recruiters and mentors, and sharpened career skills.  
    • Forté Conference FAQ & Logistics Chat – Spring 2023
      The Recruiting and Admissions Office hosted a virtual event for all incoming women who planned to attend the annual Forté Conference. This was a collaborative event between the Career Development Office and Recruiting and Admissions Office to ensure that the women attending the event had a clear and strong understanding of the value of the conference experience.
    • Forté MBA Fast Track Financial Services – Spring 2023
      This Forté conference focused on finance paths and building a peer network. The Career Development Office provided career coaching support to students ahead of the event.
    • Forté Conference Annual Conference – Summer 2023
      This program is led by our external partner, Forté; however, both the Career Development and Recruiting and Admissions Offices collaborated to support the preparation of this program for all of our incoming female students who registered to attend. The purpose of the conference is to facilitate meaningful connections with the incoming students, to network with women more broadly among other MBA programs, and to promote engagement with corporate partners supporting the conference. The Recruiting and Admission and Career Development offices provided on-site support for all Rice Business women including sessions and activities that promoted personal and professional development. Ten of the thirty-three attendees were Forté Fellows, with 91% of the Forté MBA Women’s Conference attendees ultimately matriculating to Rice Business.

Management Leadership for Tomorrow

  • Recruiting and Admissions staff supported Management Leadership for Tomorrow’s (MLT) Summer Seminar at Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business (Summer 2023), where they networked and helped MBA candidates gain clarity about the admissions process.

Reaching Out MBA

  • Educates, inspires and connects lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender graduate business students and school clubs through its year-round events including the annual Reaching Out LGBT+ MBA & Business Graduate Conference.

  • Rice Business offers two scholarships and access to leadership programming through Reaching Out MBA.
    • Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) Conference & Career Expo - Fall 2022
      The Career Development Office (CDO) offered conference support to current students attending ROMBA Career Expo in Washington D.C., including career advising, pitch development and career expo strategy.

PhD Project

  • Provides historically underrepresented students a model of achievement and businesses a powerful way to enrich the talent pipeline. It supports the creation of business Ph.D.s from historically underrepresented groups.
  • Access to networking, mentoring and unique events.

Business School Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Collaborative

  • The Business School Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Collaborative advances diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in higher education through hosting conferences, to discuss best practices and programs, granting awards, and serving as a resource for educators and businesspeople who are interested in increasing the opportunities for historically underrepresented groups. Rice Business joined as a charter member of the collaborative in 2022.

Undergraduate Strategic Partnerships

Competitive Advantage

  • Competitive Advantage is a new initiative for undergraduate students provided by The Consortium. The Rice Business partnership with The Consortium grants underrepresented undergraduate business students’ access to the Competitive Advantage leadership development program that provides students with networking opportunities and graduate and career preparation.

 

Learn More about our Strategic Partnerships

Other Student Development Events

Women in Leadership Conference
Rayna Anderson-Crier, associate director, Career Education and Advising, spoke at the Women in Leadership Conference. 

MBA Veteran’s Career Conference & Expo
The Career Development Office (CDO) offered conference support to current students attending MBA Veteran’s Career Conference and Expo.

Faculty and Staff Development

Faculty Development

Jing Zhou, Deputy Dean of Academic Affairs, discusses our commitment to recruiting a diverse faculty and how this effort enhances the school's educational quality and global perspective.

Staff Development

DEI Specialist Regina Edwards discusses initiatives from the DEI office, and other offices at Rice Business, to create areas where staff members can learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion.

Office for DEI Sponsored Events

Continuing the Conversation

Rice Business is dedicated to making learning experiences inclusive and forward thinking. We’re proud to support staff through learning opportunities. Developed by the Office for DEI, these staff focused workshops encourage dialogue around equity and inclusion.

Previous topics include:

  • 21 Day Equity Challenge
  • Disability & Accessibility
  • Gender
  • Race, Allyship, and Inclusion
  • Learnings and Looking Ahead

Pride Bingo

The Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion organized and sponsored a Pride themed bingo event for faculty and staff. The event acknowledged the contributions of our LGBTQIA+ community and helps foster an inclusive and welcoming workplace.

Office of Technology

The Office of Technology’s Technology, Teaching and Learning Services (TTLS) Team: 

Mission Statement: We are dedicated to enhancing the Teaching & Learning Environment at Rice Business through the effective utilization of current and emerging technologies.

Services Provided:

  • Assessment Systems & Learning Analytics
  • Instructional Design & Technology
  • Learning Management
  • Lecture Capture

Accessibility Awareness Month

TTLS and the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) observed Accessibility Awareness Month in October 2022 by sharing Rice University accessibility resources and digital accessibility strategies weekly to faculty and staff. TTLS includes accessibility evaluation in planning processes and early stages of any project – called a “shift left” in the programming world.  

Accessibility Awareness Month Topics: 

  • What digital accessibility is and how universal design enables accessibility and inclusion. 
  • Digital text accessibility through font, color, contrast. 
  • Alternative text (alt text), images and web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG). 
  • Social media, video and virtual meeting accessibility best practices. 

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)

TTLS observed Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) by sharing virtual events and resources to faculty and staff. The purpose of GAAD is to continue the dialogue around digital accessibility and inclusion. GAAD is observed on the third Thursday of May. 

Professional Affiliations and Certifications

Rice Business is dedicated to making academic experiences inclusive and forward-thinking. We're proud to support all our staff members through partnerships and professional affiliations with DEI-related affinity organizations locally, regionally and nationally. These partnerships and professional affiliations provide opportunities for learning and development, as well as elevation of diversity, equity and inclusion among staff in higher education. 
 

    • American Library Association (ALA) 
      Nicolas Castellanos, director for Business Information Center, attended the American Library Association (ALA) Conference in Washington D.C. in June 2022. Distributed information on Recognition of Indigenous History of Washington D.C. at ALA Events on the National Mall. Disseminated information about and outreach for ALA’s Directory of Diversely Owned Businesses. 
    • Business School Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Collaborative (BUSDEIC), University Membership Representative
      Since 2022, Dean Porter has served as the Rice University Charter Membership representative to the BUSDEIC.
    • Consortium for Graduate Studies in Management (Consortium) 
      Lina Bell, executive director, Office for DEI, serves as a Consortium board member since 2017. 
    • DEI Certifications:
      • Phillip Heavilin, former executive director, Career Development Office, successfully completed the ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate’ through the Muma College of Business at University of South Florida. 
      • Regina Edwards, DEI specialist, Office for DEI, successfully completed the ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate’ through the Muma College of Business at University of South Florida. 
    • MBA Career Services Employer Association  
      Jennifer Applebee, associate director, Recruiting and Employer Relations, Career Development Office has served on the DEI Resource Group since 2021 and co-led this resource group in 2022.   
    • National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE)
      Since 2022, Dean Porter has been member of the NADOHE, the preeminent voice for chief diversity offers in higher education.  
    • Prospanica  
      Marie Bergeron, director, Experienced Hires and Alumni, joined with Mariella De Alba Ortiz, senior associate director, Career Education and Advising, Career Development Office, serve as Prospanica Board members. Marie Bergeron attended the 2022 Prospanica Conference and Career Expo.  
    • Technology in Business Schools Roundtable 
      Elaine Brewer, former senior director of technology, Office of Technology served on the DEI committee for the Technology Roundtable for Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Assisted in planning a virtual seminar for all members focusing on defining diversity and the role of advocacy in the workplace. (https://tbsr.wildapricot.org/) 
    • The TechPACT 
      Elaine Brewer, former senior director of technology, Office of Technology is a member of The TechPACT, an organization of IT professionals leading the charge for inclusion and equity in the technology industry by instilling equity and access to opportunities and by providing mentorship and support to young technologists (https://techpact.org/).

Learning and Development Special Events

Michelle Kaltenbach, the director of employee engagement and development, invited all staff to attend faculty-led sessions.   

Supervising Virtual Teams – Fall 2022 
Supervising Virtual Teams, an interactive workshop led by Professor Jon Miles who covered the key challenges of supervising teams virtually rather than face-to-face and provided solid, research-based recommendations for best practices managing and working in virtual teams.  Supervisors attended 4 group sessions to learn more about what happens when communications richness is lost with the help of the book Teams That Work: The Seven Drivers of Team Effectiveness and received a set of behaviors and practices that helped them navigate virtual teams without falling prey to common pitfalls.   

Power and Influence in Organizations – Spring 2023   
Power and Influence in Organizations, a session led by Siyu Yu, assistant professor of management, organizational behavior. Attendees explored and practiced ways to reduce resistance, empower people to commit to change, and learned how to manage such resistance and get the buy-in of others. Attendees also learned how change efforts can fail or falter, even after ideas are approved and implemented. 

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