New Senior Associate Dean for Degree Programs

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James Weston, the Harmon Whittington Professor of Finance, will join the Rice Business leadership team as senior associate dean for degree programs. James joined the Rice Business faculty in 2000 and has taught popular courses on economics and finance in all of the Rice Business MBA programs. James’ academic experience has been recognized often. He has presented his peer-reviewed research on corporate finance and financial institutions at many universities worldwide, and his work has been cited by journalists and in congressional testimony. He is also committed to teaching, having received many awards over the years. James was speaker of the Rice University Faculty Senate during 2014-16.

Outside of academia, James, a former assistant economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, conducts executive education seminars, maintains professional consulting relationships and provides expert witness testimony and litigation support. His experience inside and outside the classroom will be a key driver of Rice Business’ future.

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Our thanks and congratulations to Barbara Ostdiek for her exceptional tenure in this position for the past 11 years as she returns to engaging our students in the classroom and to engaging in scholarly activities as a professor of finance. Barb, who has been a member of the faculty since 1994, held this leadership role during a time of unprecedented growth at Rice Business. She led the launch of both our online MBA program, the first online degree at Rice University, and our new Hybrid MBA. She also played a crucial role in launching and growing the undergraduate business major. Barb was instrumental in making key hires, significantly growing the Office of Academic Programs and Student Experience, building the Global Field Experience, and expanding and enhancing our experiential lab courses. Barb worked closely with faculty to create an innovative curriculum, evolving our footprint, particularly in business analytics, technology and the energy transition. Her efforts have greatly impacted our ability to prepare graduates who are vital to organizations and ready to lead. 

We thank Barb for her service with the administration and look forward to working with James as we head into a new academic year.