Our Business

Meet our Students

In between the courses and conferences, there’s a podcast queued for a commute, a bucket list item waiting to be checked off, and a musician that carries you through the highs and lows — at least according to current students from the Full-Time, Professional Evening, Professional Weekend and Executive MBA programs. Check out the Spring 2026 issue to hear from undergraduate, MAcc, Professional Hybrid, MBA@Rice and Ph.D. students.

Caitlin Fabian ’27
Professional MBA — Weekend

Hometown: Houston, TX
Education: B.S. in Nutrition Sciences, Texas A&M University; MPAS, University of Texas Medical Branch
Current role: Medical science liaison

Favorite class: Any class Brent Smith teaches!
Your current go-to book/podcast? My favorite way to decompress is with audiobooks that take my mind off school and work.
What Rice Business event has meant the most to you? The Women in Leadership Conference and the inaugural Healthcare Conference. It’s inspiring to see the impact we can create for professionals in Houston and beyond.
One thing you would tell your younger self? Enjoy the journey. The milestones matter, but so does everything in between.
What’s the next item on your bucket list? Attend all four major tennis tournaments.

Altovely Uriostegui ’27
Full-Time MBA

Hometown: Houston, TX
Education: BBA in Entrepreneurship and Marketing, University of Houston
Last role: Consultant

Go-to study spot: Wherever my friends are, whether it’s group study or parallel study.
In your opinion, who’s the best musical artist of all time? This is always a difficult one … but my top three are Arctic Monkeys, Pink Floyd and The Marias.
One project that surprised you in the best way? The Global Field Experience.
A new concept or skill you find yourself applying outside of class? I often use breathing and grounding techniques from business communications to help center myself before speaking to a group of people.
What’s the next item on your bucket list? Visit Italy and speak as little English as possible.

Nick Chipponeri ’27
Executive MBA

Hometown: Balikpapan, Indonesia
Education: B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University
Current role: Facilities engineering & construction manager

Your current go-to book/podcast? I’m currently reading “Thinking, Fast and Slow” and listening to “Acquired.”
What Rice Business event has meant the most to you? The Texas Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Conference, because what you’ve learned in the classroom comes to life.
One thing you would tell your younger self? Relationships are everything. In life, in work, in everything in between.
A new concept or skill you find yourself applying outside of class? I constantly find myself thinking about culture, thinking about strategy, and thinking about opportunity cost and maximizing value.
What’s the next item on your bucket list? A New Zealand hiking trip in December.

Tyler Hilliard ’27
Professional MBA — Evening

Hometown: Houston, TX
Education: BBA in Finance, Lamar University
Current role: Financial accountant

Your current go-to book/podcast? I’m working through “The Lord of the Rings” again, and I also like “Acquired” and “The Rest Is History.”
In your opinion, who’s the best musical artist of all time? Jimi Hendrix, and it’s not even debatable.
Best advice you’ve received during your time at Rice? Steve Summers said that this is one of the few chances you’ll get to make mistakes in a low-risk environment.
A recent win that you’re proud of? Making it through my first year of the MBA while balancing fatherhood and work.
A faculty member who has changed your mindset? Haiyang Li. His competitive strategy course changed how I view companies and problems.