Meet Jonathan Howard, MBA '23

Why did you choose Rice Business?

I chose Rice Business as a 12th grader at Yates High School here in Houston. After attending MLT in the Anderson Family Commons that year, I knew that Rice Business was the best program in my favorite city and one of the very best in the world. I never doubted that this program would be the most efficient and effective path to my goals.

What are you most proud of from your time at Rice Business?

So far, I am most proud of the way I’ve been stretched beyond my known capacities while also leveraging my strengths. I’m also most proud of the relationships I’ve built with some incredible classmates and schoolmates.

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How has your Rice helped you in your career?

Rice Business has helped to give my career some direction and a more strategic plan. Before Rice Business, I knew what I wanted my end result to be. Now, I know exactly how to get there.

What advice would you give prospective students who are considering an MBA?

Don’t think about it. Just go for it. It’s worth every moment and any penny you may invest. The relationships and the type of learning that occurs cannot be achieved anywhere else. What the experience means for your future is both invaluable and incalculable.

What do you think organizations should do better to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment?

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It is impossible to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization and culture in one day, one month or one year. A great start would be for organizations to develop and implement comprehensive S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, actionable, relevant and time-based) plans to ensure equity, diversity and inclusivity in leadership and decision-making. That is the only way to infuse those attributes into their organizational DNA.

What suggestions do you have to work with allies within the workplace or at school?

Make as many allies as possible by being the best ally you can be at school and in the workplace. Allies are the best way to maximize your chances of accomplishing your goals respectively and collectively.

Do you have any other comments or anecdotes you would like to share?

Being a member of one of the largest classes of African Americans to enter Rice Business is truly an honor. It is a testament to the school’s commitment to diversity, and it is sure to reap dividends. I look forward to helping the program continue that commitment and to adding to the legacy that continues to be built.