Nathan Ross

Why did you choose Rice Business? 

I wanted a robust and insightful business school experience without having to give up my career. MBA@Rice seemed like a great way to get that while not sacrificing the high quality of education I wanted, because Rice has the immense resources of a large and prestigious university coupled with the close-knit communal feel. 

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

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I’m honored to be an officer in the Rice Business Student Association, representing the more than 40% of online MBA students located outside of the greater Houston area. This organization is only in its second year of existence, and I love being able to advocate for the needs of my fellow students and help improve our program. 

How has Rice helped you in your career? 

Working alongside my peers in the program has helped improve the way that I approach my career. Rice students are incredibly diverse in age, experience, cultural backgrounds and career goals; their insights combined with very practical teaching from our professors have helped me successfully obtain better opportunities at my current employer. 

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

An MBA is a very large investment — in yourself, your career and your future. It’s only worth the effort and expense if you plan on taking full advantage of the unique resources, the doors it opens and connections it makes. Or rather, resources you can choose to take advantage of, doors you choose to walk through, and connections you choose to cultivate. Every time I push myself (and the limits of my schedule) by exploring more of the opportunities at Rice, I am pleasantly surprised by how enriching and beneficial each new experience is. The “piece of paper” conferred at graduation is valuable, but the knowledge, experience and connections gained are immeasurable. 

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

DEI is a popular and “trendy” initiative, but it can only be successful if an organization prioritizes change and does the actual work. That work starts by partnering with organizations like the Racial Equity Institute to educate on systemic racism and the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) to learn how to advance gender equity; using that knowledge and the insight of experts to codify organizational policy changes and inform a shift in organizational culture; and finally, being intentional about recruiting a socioeconomically-, ethnically-, and gender-diverse team — by seeking out schools, professional groups and affinity organizations that are sources of diverse talent.  

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

Empathy and a willingness to learn go a long way. Nobody is perfect, but with a little understanding, we can all strive to be better, and work towards making our classes and workplaces more inclusive. 

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