News & Events
An all-veteran ownership team, Summit Point Leadership LLC, which launched through the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University and its Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Lab, has acquired the business of LDR Leadership LLC, a nationwide leadership, management and supervisory training firm.
-
In The Media
Congratulations to Robert J. Gaudette on being named President of NRG Energy, and on his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, effective April 30, 2026. Rob is a distinguished Rice Business alum and continues to give back to the school through the Board of Advisors and joined us this year as a speaker at the Rice Energy Finance Summit.
7 Jan
-
School Updates
A new study co-authoered by Rice Business’ Tommy Pan Fang provides the first large-scale statistical analysis of data center location strategies across the United States. It offers policymakers and firms a clearer starting point for understanding how different types of data qcenters get located in response to economic and strategic incentives.
6 Jan
Filter
Rice Business will host the Rice Customer-Based Strategy Symposium on November 18, a recurring forum for sharing innovative ideas on customer-focused strategy and execution. The event features peer-reviewed research from top academics and industry insights from executives.
Get to know some new members of the Rice Business MBA Class of 2027 in this edition of Real Humans: MBA Students from Clear Admit.
Rushi Bhalani ’19 and Will Eldridge ’16 ’17 will be recognized with the Builders Award Nov. 7 during the President’s Town Hall, a signature event of Rice’s Alumni Weekend. The Builders Award is given to graduates of the past 10 years who go above and beyond in service to Rice.
Poets&Quants named Dean Peter Rodriguez its 2025 Dean of the Year, recognizing his transformation of Rice Business since 2016. Under his leadership, the school has advanced in academics, reputation and innovation.
The 10th annual Sparking Success Conference is set for Oct. 31, when attendees can experience a forum full of industry professionals, leaders and experts to network and learn important skills in the ever-changing world of business.
Peter Rodriguez, the Houston Endowment Dean of the Jones Graduate School of Business and the Virani Undergraduate School of Business at Rice University, has been named the 2025 Poets&Quants Dean of the Year, a national honor recognizing visionary leadership and outstanding contributions to business education.
In less than a decade, Rodriguez has transformed Rice Business in nearly every dimension. Beyond creating a thriving undergraduate offering, he has overseen a 192% increase in student enrollment. The growth stems from a doubling of MBA students and the launch of an online MBA—the university’s first online degree—along with a hybrid MBA option.
Rice University professor Mikki Hebl says job seekers’ willingness to accept lower pay and roles reflects a softer labor market and shifting values toward flexibility, balance, and meaningful work.
Rice Business rose to No. 24 in U.S. News’ 2026 undergraduate business rankings, up from No. 27 last year. The school now shares its spot with seven peers, reflecting strong momentum among top-tier programs.
New research co-authored by Rice Business lecturer Richard Schwartz finds that problem-solving daydreaming can trigger powerful career epiphanies and a stronger sense of professional purpose.
