Meet the Undergrads

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Speaker of the Class

Ask Abhinav Gorjala’s friends about him, and they’ll tell you about his love of pizza, Whataburger and the Rice Club Basketball team. They might also share the fact he was a big part of McMurtry College (“objectively the best,” he says). And of course, there’s the fact that he was chosen to represent the Class of 2024 as its student speaker at May Commencement.

Gorjala coupled his business degree with a minor in Spanish and Portuguese, setting himself up for the global business world as a private equity analyst with Vista Equity Partners this summer. It’s an ideal position for a student who used his time at Rice to intern as an investment analyst with Rice Management Company. He also served as president and chief investment officer for the Rice Undergraduate Investment Fund and in various roles with Rice Business Society.

Gorjala has an entrepreneurial spirit, so he joined Rice Venture Fund, the university’s first student-run venture fund, with initial fundraising efforts reaching the $300,000 mark.

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Investing the Time

Every Sunday night during his junior and senior years, Austin Cox helped host the Investment Banking Bootcamp for Rice students who are interested in investment banking and other related finance careers. Cox and his fellow bootcamp board members — all founders — would teach younger students what they know and bring alumni back to share their insider knowledge. He hopes the bootcamp continues now that he is working at JP Morgan in Houston.

When the new business major was announced in his first year, Cox was knee-deep in math theory and economics, but the new major appealed to him on a practical level. In business courses, he got to branch beyond theory. In his sophomore year, he joined the first class of undergraduate business majors.

“It was the best decision I ever made,” he says.

Between his roles on the board his junior and senior years, when he was head of finance, and his role with the Rice Undergraduate Investment Fund, where he became a senior analyst, his peers thought Cox made a good decision, too: They nominated him — and a committee ultimately honored him — with The Rise@Rice Sen Social Pioneer Prize, which celebrates a student who embodies the highest standards of leadership, compassion and collaboration within the business school community.

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Change of Course

Marissa Giangiorgi, an active Baker College student and member of the dance team, had a plan: She would attend Rice as a pre-med student and go on to medical school after graduation. As a third-generation Rice student, she was familiar with campus and was especially attracted to its proximity to the health center. She was MCAT-ready, but, she admits, the launch of the business major sent her down a different path.

Many reasons went into Giangiorgi’s decision to switch course, but one of them was her Financial Statement Analysis class. “I love how the numbers tell the story of a business or organization,” she says. “That class solidified for me that I was making the right decision.” Even as a business major, Giangiorgi still kept an eye on the possibility of medical school, but as she started the job hunt, she told herself that if she found a job that excited her more than medical school, she would jump ship. That chance came when GE Healthcare’s Financial Management Development Program offered her a spot, and Giangiorgi abandoned the idea of medical school and enrolled. Today, she is working through the program exploring several tracks in the business of healthcare, including finance, controllership and supply chain management.

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The Next Big Thing

As a business student, Jeremy Ghatan approached his professor in Advanced Strategic Management and asked for the harshest feedback the faculty member could muster. Ghatan consistently put himself out there: for example, when he took Leadership and Teams (he didn’t feel like much of a leader at the time) or when he reached out to James Hurley, Rice’s associate vice pesident of advancement, and asked for speaking opportunities. Next thing he knew, he was introducing President Reginald DesRoches at alumni events. As a student, Ghatan wanted to take advantage of the opportunities in front of him, including the chance to study abroad at the London School of Economics his junior year, even working part time the previous summer as a tour liaison with the Chelsea Football Club. His ultimate goal? The soft skills these experiences would give him. “Anyone can learn how to balance a budget sheet,” says Ghatan. “But it’s just as important to be able to communicate.”

Today Ghatan is a strategy analyst with AT&T after serving as an intern for the company his senior year.

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On the Go

As Jordan Billups geared up to graduate with the first class of business majors at Rice, she was offered the opportunity to work in a 20-month rotational management program with Pon Holdings North America. Her first stop: indiGO Auto Group, a luxury car company that supports 12 brands, including Porsche, McLaren and Aston Martin.

Now, Billups will be the first to tell you that she’s “not a car person,” but she is excited about the work she’ll be doing at indiGO, exploring concepts for a loyalty program. Car person or not, the role is a great fit for Billups, who, prior to declaring the business major, had been studying cognitive psychology at Rice. Many of these customers, she says, have been thinking about this car purchase since they were children collecting calendars from the local dealership. “I love to think about what makes people work,” she says, “and why they think what they think.”

At Rice, Billups was a part of Women in Finance and Investing and Women in Business. She did two rotational internships, studied abroad in London, and participated in a Rotational Program Day with the Career Development Office, traveling to four Houston companies.

Those experiences were important for Billups, but so were the lessons from faculty. “The faculty offer so much beyond teaching,” says Billups. “They also share what they have learned in their careers — and help us think through what’s possible for us.”

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A New Tune

When Dallas native April Chung visited Rice University in 2020, she immediately felt at home. A dedicated violinist, Chung planned to pursue a degree in violin performance at the Shepherd School of Music until Rice Business announced the inception of its undergraduate business degree. Though she had applied for business programs at numerous other universities, fate led her to Rice with a violin and plans that would quickly change. During the first year of the undergraduate program, Chung joined the business program. Making the decision to continue playing the violin, she embarked on a new path that would eventually lead to consulting. During her time in the undergraduate business program, she found comfort in seeing familiar faces in each of her classes and working directly with faculty. From working in the Lilie Lab alongside senior lecturer Hesam Panahi to attending panels courtesy of Natalia Piqueira, assistant clinical professor of finance, Chung is grateful for the mentors who helped her learn and grow during her undergraduate experience. Though her degree plan changed in that first year, Chung never put down the violin. She performed in the Campanile Orchestra during most of her time at Rice and continues to play in her spare time.

Chung, who now works at BCG as a consultant, has remained in Houston. “My community in Houston would not exist if I had not gone to Rice,” she says, “and I am very grateful for that.” Chung shared fond memories of O-Week advising, Beer Bike and days in the Lilie Lab. “I think Rice does a great job at fostering school spirit,” she says. Currently, Chung is entertaining ideas of continuing her education in business but is keeping an open mind to what the world around her offers.

Rice Business first got its start in 1974 with funds from Houston Endowment to support business education in the city and surrounding areas. When the first full class of students matriculated in 1977, 55 came on board to take advantage of the two degrees the school offered at the time: management and accounting. Over the last five decades, the school grew, so much so that it continuously moved buildings to accommodate the increasing student and faculty populations. In recent years, Rice Business has doubled the number of MBA students and seen a 41 percent increase in tenured and tenure-track faculty.

Rice Business has called McNair Hall home since 2002. But come 2026, there will be an additional building to support those growing numbers, which today includes more than 2,000 students across 11 degrees, one of which is the new undergraduate program that’s quickly becoming one of the most popular majors at Rice.

But our student and faculty populations aren’t the only things to have grown over our 50 years. So have our business plan competitions, including the Veterans Business Battle, the Napier Rice Launch Challenge and the Rice Business Plan Competition, the largest and richest student startup competition in the world. We’ve also strengthened our ties with Houston through partnerships across the city and region, and we continue to engage with pressing business issues, from AI implementation to the future of energy.

This new building will allow Rice Business to forge an impressive future, support our faculty and students, and prepare the next generation of leaders to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time.

Have a look at our new building — and the future of Rice Business.

A conversation with Stephen Cassell, principal at Architecture Research Office, the building’s lead design firm

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As you thought about the design of the new building, what were some of the concepts and ideas you considered?
Based on conversations with school and university leadership, we wanted to create a space that really matches how business education is evolving. In addition to traditional classrooms and meeting rooms, we made sure there are lots of different types of spaces — informal spots where students can hang out, brainstorm and network. The idea is to make a space that supports learning and effortless teaching, of course. But we also want the building to contribute to Rice’s unique campus vibe.

Speaking of campus vibe, how will the design fit in with the rest of the university?
That was a big focus for us. We wanted the new building to feel like a natural extension of Rice. And because it will be integrated with McNair Hall, we are making sure the two buildings complement one another. We’re adding new entrances and a central courtyard to make it easier to get around and help people feel connected. Of course, we kept that beautiful brickwork from other buildings. It’s all about blending the new with the old in a seamless way.

You’ve talked about creating spaces that feel “effortless to teach in.” Can you elaborate?
We spent a lot of time meeting with professors to understand their needs and teaching styles. For instance, some professors use two screens while others prefer one, so we’ve ensured the classrooms can accommodate different technological setups. We’ve also paid attention to the layout of rooms, designing some that allow students to wrap around the professor for better eye contact and engagement. In other rooms, we’ve made sure tables can be easily moved for breakout sessions and then brought back together for group discussions. We’ve also included a variety of room sizes and styles to support different teaching methods, from intimate seminar rooms to larger lecture halls. The goal is to create spaces where professors can teach without environmental limitations.

How does the new building anticipate and accommodate potential changes in business education over the coming years?
We recognize that business education is evolving rapidly, with more emphasis on experiential learning, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary collaboration. This is another benefit of those informal, flexible spaces I mentioned that can be adapted for different uses as needs change. For example, we’ve included more gathering areas of various sizes that can be used for group projects, startup pitches or impromptu lectures from visiting executives. We’ve also ensured robust technological infrastructure to support emerging educational technologies. By providing this mix of formal and informal, traditional and innovative spaces, we’re giving the school the flexibility to evolve its curriculum and teaching methods without physical constraint.

The Places We've Called Home

A collection of things that make us fabulous — in no particular order.
We had to whittle this list down to 50 — and it goes without saying that we love our faculty, staff, students and alumni — but there are so many more things to love about Rice Business. Have a favorite you want to share? Share your memories: maureen.harmon@rice.edu
 

1

Used to Be Small, Now We’re Mighty

When Rice Business got its start, it was in Sewall Hall with just a few classes and a few students. Through the years, Rice Business has had homes in Sewall, Herman Brown, Herring and now McNair. In 2026, business students will gain another home — and another 112,000 square feet, as a new building opens next to McNair.

2

P-Rod

If you know Rice Business, you know P-Rod. Dean Peter Rodriguez, who goes by the nickname on his social channels and among students, isn’t always all business. His expertise in running and growing the school is well known, but so is his on-campus humor, his approachability among students and his dance moves at Partio.

3

Global Views

Don’t get us wrong, we love Rice’s campus, but we also want to see the world. The Global Field Experience allows students to tackle real-world business challenges in emerging markets like Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia. Throughout a semester-long course and during these weeklong immersions, Rice Business students get unmatched professional experience, and businesses get innovative solutions. Bonus: Students also get to enjoy the rich culture and diverse landscapes of these distant locations. 

4

Vikas Mittal’s shoes

For Professor Vikas Mittal, personal expression all comes down to the sneakers. A pretty traditional dresser from the ankles up, Mittal is so well known for his creative expression through brands like ASICS, HOKA and Saucony that the students in his Executive Forum II course gifted him with three pairs of colorful kicks at the end of the spring 2024 semester. To be fair: Mittal is just one of our many beloved and whip-smart faculty members, a bunch that’s easy to add to a love list.

5

Partio

Rumor has it that the term “Partio” originated with a nervous student who fumbled the more formal name, Party on the Patio, when explaining the get-togethers to a tour group. Wherever the term comes from, everyone now knows that Partio refers to the famous Thursday evening parties featuring food, drink, friends and DJ-ed music. It’s a weekly occurrence with some very cool themes — the Dean’s Partio and Rice Around the World Partio are always crowd favorites.

6

That Family Vibe

Houston is big — the country’s fourth-largest city and its most diverse. The city offers endless opportunities, from museums to sports to green spaces, but there’s a unique comfort in being part of a close-knit community on a campus tucked inside the hedges.

7

OwlBowl

Each year, students across Houston leave the classroom for the field to compete in the OwlBowl, which brings together students from MBA programs throughout the area for a little friendly competition. Hosted by the Rice Business Student Association for Professionals, this annual charity flag football game asks that teams raise $500 each, with all the proceeds supporting local charities.

8

Campus strolls

The Rice University Outer Loop offers a shady, safe trail encircling campus, perfect for joggers and walkers alike. This dog-friendly path is lined with a beautiful canopy of oak trees and provides great views of Rice’s Mediterranean Revival architecture.

9

Cold Beer at Valhalla

At Rice, Valhalla isn’t just a mythical hall for fallen Norse heroes — it’s the go-to spot for graduate students seeking the best cold beer in Houston. For over 40 years, the valiant folks of Valhalla have served Rice’s graduate community with rotating taps of local Texas ale — and plenty of students have had their tie cut when entering Valhalla, a tradition that started with Ph.D. students who lost half their ties after successfully defending their dissertations.

10

Access to Information

Nestled on the second floor of McNair Hall, the Business Information Center (lovingly known as the BIC) is more than an oasis for students looking for a quiet place to cram. Named after Gilbert and Ruth Whitaker, this space is a treasure trove of online resources, journals and comfy study nooks. Whether you’re an MBA student diving into market research or an undergraduate trying to escape your roommates’ impromptu karaoke, the BIC’s got your back.

11

New Ideas

When the Rice Business Plan Competition, hosted by Rice Alliance, began in 2001, nine teams competed for $10,000 in prize money. Now, 24 years later, 42 international teams vie for over $1 million in cash and prizes each year, making it the largest and richest business plan competition in the world. We’re also home to the Veterans Business Battle and the Napier Rice Launch Challenge — both of which help launch innovative businesses and products that tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues.

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Speaking of Those New Ideas

Our entrepreneurs might get their start in a pitch competition or in our top-ranked entrepreneurship courses, but their businesses span everything from design and culinary ventures to energy transition solutions. Our entrepreneurs aren’t always in it for the money, either. Plenty of nonprofit organizations — from the arts to humanitarian aid — were founded by Rice Business graduates.

13

Rice and NASA

Rice’s involvement in the space race began almost immediately, partnering with NASA in 1959. This relationship has flourished over the years, marked by key moments like President Kennedy’s iconic speech at Rice Stadium. Our connection is both historic and personal; Rice has produced 16 NASA astronauts and hosts the NASA Ambassador of Exploration Award (posthumously awarded to President Kennedy).

14

McNair Public Art

McNair is a destination for any Rice MBA — not only for its innovative classes and stunning architecture, but also for its stellar collection of public art. Since 2008, Rice Public Art has placed artworks across campus that reflect Rice’s global outlook. McNair Hall, for example, features inspiring works by 17 diverse artists who represent various cultures, ages and gender identities.

15

The Energy Connection

Located in the heart of the world’s energy capital, Rice Business provides students with access to industry leaders, cutting-edge technology and top-tier faculty expertise, equipping them with the skills needed to lead the future of energy.

16

Join the Club

Vino, veterans or venture capital — whatever your interest or group, Rice clubs have students covered. Graduate students can choose from more than 30 clubs, and our undergraduates can choose from more than 300, some of which offer opportunities to develop leadership and networking skills.

17

Our Open Door Policy

The proud doors of McNair Hall stand open (always, except in inclement weather), welcoming visitors, students and faculty alike. Flanked by the iconic bear and bull statues, these ornate doors tell the story of the graduate school’s namesake, Jesse H. Jones, through intricate bronze carvings.

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Our Undergrads

After welcoming graduate students for 50 years, Rice Business recognized the community’s need and desire for an undergraduate business major and launched one in 2021. This past May, we celebrated our first class of undergrads (new grads: welcome to the alumni ranks!), and the young major is already the second-most popular major at Rice.

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Our Graduate Students

From MBAs to PhDs, our graduate students embody excellence. We’re proud of our Master of Accounting students — the school’s trailblazing program that returned to campus after a 20-year hiatus — and are thrilled to see our PhDs extending Rice’s impact as they secure positions at prestigious universities worldwide.

20

Turrell Skyspace

“The Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace, located in the middle of campus, offers stunning light shows at dusk and dawn, as well as musical performances in the remarkable acoustic space. The light-and-space masterpiece by James Turrell has been a go-to spot since 2012.

21

Metal and Muscle

Professor Brian Akins is well-known for his finance expertise, but students also recall his love for heavy metal and weightlifting. After transitioning to teaching a second-year elective, Akins ditched the formal attire and started sporting Slayer and Meshuggah T-shirts in class. One highlight? Maxing out deadlifts with former student (and now alum) Jimmy Vu ’16.

22

The Wisdom

Rice Business Wisdom has been bringing the latest business thinking to life since 2016. Delivering engaging, smart and authentic insights from the best business faculty research, RBW blends scholarly rigor with actionable insights, making complex ideas understandable and impactful.

23

Rice Sports

Rice students might compete against one another in flag football or intramurals, but everyone unites when the Owls hit the field. Our students love to show their school pride during any sporting event, but the energy is its highest when playing against our neighboring rivals: the UH Cougars. And with professional teams in almost every major sport, Houston is a competition hot spot.

24

“Firewater” Tradition

From 2007 to 2019, Professor Haiyang Li led Rice MBA students on annual trips to China, where they were introduced to Baijiu, the country’s beloved “white liquor.” Baijiu became a memorable part of these trips. Professor Li even brought a bottle back to campus for a celebration event.

25

Launch

Launch is more than just an orientation — it marks the start of the Rice Business journey, no matter which program you choose. Students meet classmates, attend core classes and connect with the faculty who will guide them through the program.

26

Student-Organized Conferences

Rice Business students don’t just attend conferences — they lead them. Between the Women in Leadership Conference (WILC), Rice Energy Finance Summit (REFS) and the Rice Cleantech Innovation Competition, our student-organized events draw hundreds of attendees each year.

27

Anderson Family Commons (AFC)

We truly embrace the “family” aspect of the AFC, an event space on the first floor of McNair. Named in honor of the Anderson Family, the AFC is the perfect gathering spot for weekly lunch colloquiums for full-time students, evening family meals for EMBAs, and events like Reunion, guest speakers and our annual staff awards ceremony.

28

Gibbs Convocation Hall

It’s not quite Hogwarts, but the Gibbs Convocation Hall has the charm of an esteemed, prestigious library that rivals those in movie sets. Nestled on the second floor of McNair, Gibbs offers a quiet space for students and faculty to study or engage in conversation, accompanied by the soft strains of music.

29

Rice Alliance

The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, now housed at the Ion, is more than a launchpad for startups — it’s the heartbeat of Houston’s innovation ecosystem. Established to fuel the growth of tech companies and commercialize groundbreaking ideas, Rice Alliance, which hosts the Rice Business Plan Competition, has gained national recognition in the world of entrepreneurship.

30

Getting Fancy

We all love a lavish event. Each program has its own end-of-year event hosted by the Full-Time Rice Business Student Association and the Professional Rice Business Student Association. The MBAs, for example, enjoy a spring gala, an annual formal gathering held at incredible venues in Houston each spring. From a Bridgerton Masquerade in the Ballroom of Bayou Place to a Night at the Museum of Natural Science, the event is a highlight of the Rice Business experience.

31

The Experience

You might have known it as the Student Programming Office. These days we call it the Office of Academic Programs and Student Experiences (APSE). While the name has changed, the mission remains: help every student reach their potential. APSE provides numerous educational opportunities, pushing our MBAs to new heights through international initiatives, dynamic cocurricular activities and student advising.

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Audrey's

What word beginning with “c” do you think is mentioned most often at Rice Business? Capital? Consumer? Corporate? The answer is CAFFEINE. Named in honor of Audrey Moody Ley ’35, Audrey’s café has stood as a beacon for students or faculty in need of a midday pickup. The coffee hot spot is currently closed while we undergo construction, but not to worry: Audrey’s will reopen with the new building in 2026.

33

On-Campus Learning

Who says online learning can’t be hands-on? Our Intensive Learning Experiences (ILEs) bring the Hybrid MBA and MBA@Rice communities to campus for weekends of high-impact learning. While earning core credits, our students forge lasting connections with peers, faculty and industry leaders. It’s the perfect blend of flexibility and face-to-face collaboration. But they’re not only for our online learners: we also host ILEs for our full-time, executive, and professional students.

34

Stephen Zeff

“Dedication” might be just one word to most, but at Rice it’s two: Stephen Zeff. With a career spanning decades, Professor Zeff exemplifies what it means to be an educator. He has taught at dozens of institutions across the globe, authored or edited 32 books, published over 150 articles in accounting, and received countless awards.

35

Follies

Look, we’re a very serious institution of higher education. But we still know how to have fun, and we don’t take ourselves too seriously. Every year, Full-Time MBA students come together for the Follies, a light-hearted celebration of their MBA journey. It’s a chance to playfully tease faculty members and poke fun at our communications team for their frequent social media requests, capturing the authentic Rice Business experience and giving everyone a good laugh.

36

Healthy Living

While our students’ professional growth is important to us, their personal well-being is always our top priority. The Barbara and David Gibbs Recreation and Wellness Center — with its two pools (one for just chilling in the Houston heat), 11 fitness and wellness programs, over 30 annual outdoor trips and 9,000-square-foot gym — offers opportunities for rest and rejuvenation just a short walk from the classroom.

37

Owl Have You Know

Business isn’t a linear path; it’s full of ups and downs, trials and triumphs, setbacks and comebacks, all leading toward success. Rice recognizes the value of these stories and the inspiration they offer. “Owl Have You Know” is our award-winning podcast where alumni, faculty, students and other community members share their remarkable journeys.

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The ROI

While we cherish our time with students, we know it isn’t forever. Our Career Development Office (CDO) partners with students and alumni, working to ensure they launch their own meaningful careers and connections. Rice is proud that our MBAs accept job offers at companies like Chevron, Barclays, Morgan Stanley, Deloitte and the MD Anderson Cancer Center, and our Ph.D.s are placed at top research universities across the country.

39

Owlympics

Whether you’re competing in events like a bubble soccer tournament and a crawfish boil or cheering from the sidelines, the Owlympics are the perfect excuse to battle it out with faculty and students. The best part: the creative, coordinated team uniforms.

40

Like your degree? How about two?

In 1999, the business school partnered with Baylor College of Medicine to offer a dual MD/MBA degree to develop administrative leaders to tackle critical issues in health care like rising costs, access, affordability and organizational inefficiencies. We did the same with Rice’s Wiess School of Natural Sciences to create the MBA/PSM (Professional Science Master’s program), empowering business leaders to address challenges in the space industry and the sciences.

41

Flexibility

The world of business is evolving, and we’re keeping up with the trends — including the growing overlap between work and life. That’s why Rice Business created flexible programs to support students as they balance careers, families, school and passions. Both the Hybrid MBA, which blends remote and in-person learning, and the Online MBA, recently ranked a Top 5 program by The Princeton Review, give students the flexibility they need.

42

Rice Business Magazine

Allow us to toot our own horn for a moment: Rice Business magazine (called The Jones Journal prior to its big makeover in 2016) is your biannual link to our community, offering a lively mix of student news, alumni stories, entrepreneurial advice and the latest insights from our faculty’s research.

43

Liu Idea Lab (Lilie)

The Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, created in 2015 with a generous gift from Houston entrepreneur and alumnus Frank Liu and his family, is more than just a lab — it’s Rice’s hub for experiential learning and innovation. Through hands-on programs and real-world challenges, students from all disciplines develop the entrepreneurial mindset needed to launch tech startups and drive innovation in global firms.

44

Shell Auditorium

When you need a stage to share big ideas, Shell Auditorium in McNair is the place to be. The state-of-the-art venue, complete with tiered, theater-style seating for over 400 guests, is the perfect space for conferences, “last lectures” and business plan competitions.

45

Pretty Pics

Arching oaks and striking columns are just a few of the elements that make Rice’s campus one of Houston’s most beautiful spots, with plenty of Insta-worthy areas to capture photos. Case in point: the famed RICE sculpture outside Lovett Hall, allowing students and visitors to take their place as the “I” in Rice — once again proving that you belong here. The iconic quad also recently reopened after the treasured four-acre space was reimagined from a walk-through area to one that is designed for activities, encouraging connection, reflection and personal growth.

46

Alumni and Reunions

Our alumni are not only well connected; they’re also a lot of fun. Annual reunions are a great chance for faculty and staff to catch up with alumni who bring energy, creativity and a spirit of camaraderie wherever they go. Can’t make it to Houston? Rice Business has regional chapters for our alumni that host social events, lectures from visiting faculty members and plenty of shared stories.

47

Schooling for Executives

Our Executive Education program is Rice’s home for executive and organizational leadership solutions with an array of programs suited to the C-suite. In 2023, more than 1,000 leaders, including 420 women, from more than 240 firms took advantage of our programs to better their business and leadership skills.

48

Road Trips

Imagine stepping out of the classroom and into a Fortune 500 company headquarters, meeting Austin’s tech giants, or experiencing Wall Street or Seattle firsthand. Welcome to Career Treks — a unique opportunity for all Rice MBA students to explore company culture, gain industry insights and connect with companies and the powerful Rice Business alumni network.

49

Barb's Funky Houston Tour

In 2021, Barbara Bennett, then the senior associate dean for degree programs, floated the idea of creating a Houston tour for incoming Full-Time MBA international students. The tour focused on showcasing the local and funky sides of the city — its hidden treasures — and included The Beer Can House, The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, Smither Park, The Moody Center for the Arts and the Turrell Skyspace. Bennett acted as tour guide between stops, highlighting spots like the American Statesmanship Park, the murals in downtown Houston and other attractions.

50

Our Home: Houston

As one of the most cosmopolitan cities in America, Houston celebrates its multicultural roots with festivals, cultural centers and a diverse culinary scene, allowing students to explore the world without having to book a flight. Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest med center; very cool areas like the Theater District, the Museum District, Hermann Park, Memorial Park and the Houston Arboretum; and events like the Art Car Parade, an annual tradition in which thousands line the streets to admire quirky contraptions driven by passionate artists. We also have the Ion District, 12 blocks full of energy and innovation, where startups, tech wonks and creative minds hang out and bounce ideas off each other. Plus, Rice’s innovation factory, the Rice Nexus, is set to be the heart of Houston’s next big chapter at the Ion. Whether visiting NASA; cheering on the Astros, Texans or Rockets; or donning a cowboy hat at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Rice students develop a deep appreciation for Houston and a habit of saying “y’all.”

PREVIOUS CAREER AND CURRENT INTERNSHIP

Previous position before MBA:

• Title: Product Manager
• Company: Cenit Logística y Transporte de Hidrocarburos 
• Location: Bogota and D.C., Colombia

Summer Internship: 

• Title: Summer Associate Consultant
• Company: Kearney
• Location: Dallas, TX

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HOW DID YOU SECURE YOUR INTERNSHIP?

I secured my internship at Kearney by actively networking with industry professionals and alumni, thoroughly researching the company, and preparing a tailored application that highlighted my relevant skills and experiences. I practiced case studies and behavioral interview questions for a couple of months, demonstrating my analytical abilities and cultural fit during the interview process. My proactive approach and being myself during the process make me a strong but genuine candidate. 

WHAT WERE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES DURING THE INTERNSHIP?

As a summer associate consultant, I'm working with a global consumer packaged goods (CPG) client on a network optimization project.

WHAT DEPARTMENT WAS YOUR INTERNSHIP WITH?

My internship is with the Strategy Consulting department. 

HOW DID YOUR MBA COURSEWORK PREPARE YOU FOR THIS INTERNSHIP?

Courses in strategic management and data analytics provided me with good foundations in analyzing complex business problems and developing strategic solutions. The finance and operations management courses enhanced my understanding of key business functions and metrics and supply chain concepts, which was crucial for the network optimization project I worked on. Additionally, the teamwork, leadership and communication skills gained through group projects and case studies improved my ability to collaborate effectively and lead initiatives.

HOW DOES THE INTERNSHIP ALIGN WITH YOUR CAREER GOALS?

The internship aligns perfectly with my career goals. Over the next five years, I aim to lead solutions for complex problems and develop my leadership skills by managing and guiding teams.

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HOW DO YOU THINK THE INTERNSHIP WILL HELP YOU WITH YOUR MBA STUDIES OR FUTURE CAREER?

The internship at Kearney will provide real-world hands-on experience, directly complementing my MBA studies. By applying classroom theories to actual business challenges, I'll gain practical insights and a deeper understanding of the matter. Additionally, working on complex projects and engaging with industry professionals will polish my analytical and leadership skills, preparing me for a successful career in consulting and beyond. This experience will also help me build a robust professional network.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE?

The fast-paced environment and tremendous growth opportunities in a short time have been incredibly rewarding. Additionally, interacting with senior leaders in the industry and working alongside brilliant and kind colleagues has been a delightful experience.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS?

Be curious and keep your options open from the start. Leverage your communication skills, as these soft skills can distinguish a good candidate from an exceptional one.

Diana Carrillo Romero is a Full-Time MBA student in the Class of 2025.

Based on research by Stephanie Johnson, Scott Baker (Northwestern) and Lorenz Kueng (Swiss Finance Institute)

Key findings:

• Strategic shopping methods like buying in bulk, using coupons and timing purchases to sales can offer higher returns than the stock market.
• Household goods are an overlooked form of wealth, especially for low-income households.
• Having cash on hand allows households to seize discount opportunities, making stockpiling a practical and nearly risk-free investment strategy.

As anyone who has visited a Walmart Supercenter during a Black Friday sale can tell you, just about everyone loves a deal. Those carts stacked with discounted cleaning supplies and bulk toilet paper are more than just obstacles in a crowded parking lot. Stockpiling household goods is a strategy that shoppers can use to keep their overall spending low. 

For households that stock up on goods at the right price, the gains can add up quickly. Recent research by Stephanie Johnson, Rice Business assistant professor of finance, shows that sales, coupons and bulk purchases allow households to achieve returns exceeding 30%. These benefits are substantial enough to encourage people to keep more liquid assets, like cash, on hand to take advantage of discount opportunities as they come up.

On average, households hold about $725 of consumer goods. For low-income households, these goods make up a large part of their wealth.

“A large number of American households have very limited financial assets, but all households have at least some consumer goods,” says Johnson. “You can stock up on things like dry grocery and frozen items, cleaning products or canned food and to a lesser extent, yogurt, cheese or eggs. The items that you have in your fridge or in your pantry can be a significant form of wealth that is not captured in widely used measures.”

Traditionally, wealth is calculated by adding up the total value of assets such as real estate, savings and equities like stocks. But that calculation fails to capture what’s in a household’s cupboards. For those in the lowest quintile of annual household income — less than $22,000 per year — these goods are a significant form of wealth and likely the most effective way for them to generate returns with their money.

In an article co-authored with Scott Baker (Northwestern) and Lorenz Kueng (Swiss Finance Institute), Johnson analyzes extensive data on consumption and consumer finances, including price scanner data from NielsenIQ and data from the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances. The results of her model show two distinct strategies that can be effective at helping shoppers save: buying in bulk and stockpiling in response to temporary sales.

“When households take less frequent shopping trips but buy more on each trip, they can save in two ways,” says Johnson. “Because they are making fewer trips, their travel costs and cost of time are lower, and because they are buying goods in bulk their cost per unit is lower too.”

But for certain products, bulk pack sizes may be best suited to people who consume a lot of that thing, such as large families. For most people, a gallon of pasta sauce will spoil long before it has been fully consumed.

“In contrast, if you buy many smaller bottles of pasta sauce when they are on sale, you can get similar savings, but you also get more flexibility in how they are consumed.”

Strategic shopping offers significant returns. While these returns are similar across income levels, the benefits are greatest for the lowest-income households because household goods make up a larger portion of their overall assets. However, to buy large packs or capitalize on temporary deals, you need to have the necessary working capital — such as cash or cash equivalents like lines of credit. 

Johnson likens the savings achieved from strategic shopping behavior to the interest earned in a savings account, but at an average of 54% for the typical working capital investment, the returns far outpace any interest you could earn. The amount is also far higher than the average annual returns of 8% achieved by the S&P 500, a stock market index that tracks five hundred of the largest companies in the United States.

These returns motivate households to keep extra cash on hand, beyond what they might need for emergencies. This could help explain why some people choose not to invest in the stock market. For those with only a few hundred dollars, investing in household goods may make more sense than investing in stocks. While stock market investments always carry inherent risks, the returns from buying discounted products are known at the time of purchase and are nearly guaranteed. However, unlike a savings account, the returns decline with the amount invested.

“Returns are ultimately limited by how much households actually consume,” Johnson says. “Keeping some extra cash available as working capital can be a rational choice for many households. This allows them to take advantage of deals or buy their favorite products in bulk. What’s important to understand is these physical goods are also a form of wealth. Even if they cannot easily be resold, households can reduce spending in times of financial distress by drawing from their stockpile.”

Baker, et al. “Financial returns to household inventory management.” Journal of Financial Economics 151, Article 103758 (2024): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2023.103758.

Owl Have You Know

Season 4, Episode 24

From Dubai to Houston, Pooja Talreja’s journey is one of resilience, growth, and discovery. Her story is about more than just crossing continents — it's about breaking through personal and professional barriers to find her true passion.

After a pivot from accounting to HR, Pooja is now the senior vice president of people at Ironclad Environmental Solutions, with 15 years of experience leading global teams in the oil and gas industry. In this episode, Pooja joins host Maya Pomroy ’22 to share her experiences, from growing up in Dubai to navigating life in the U.S. and making bold career moves. She offers invaluable insights on the importance of lifelong learning and how to lead through corporate transformation.

Subscribe to Owl Have You Know on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

Our MBA graduates are known in the marketplace for broad problem-solving skills, reflecting a curriculum grounded in quantitative and data-analytic methodologies. 

That’s why we’re a STEM-certified program. But what does this actually mean? And why is it important?

What is a STEM designation?

Being STEM-certified means we’re recognized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a program that emphasizes science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

For all of our students, this designation reflects a commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology and analytics into our business curriculum. We prepare students for the demands of today’s data-driven world.

But for international students, earning a degree from a STEM-certified program isn’t just about acquiring knowledge — it’s a crucial advantage in securing extended career opportunities in the United States. Being eligible for this extension means international students are permitted to work in the U.S. on their F-1 visas for up to three years after they graduate (as opposed to just one year).

Why is it important?

This additional time is more than just a benefit for international students — it’s a game-changer. It gives them more time to build a robust professional network and gain real-world experience. 

The presence of international students at Rice enriches our community, brings diverse perspectives and drives innovative thinking. It’s no wonder the Rice Around the World Partio is one of our most highly attended student events of the year.

Our diversity drives innovation and creativity, pushing boundaries and challenging conventional thinking. In this way, the STEM designation not only benefits our international students but also strengthens our entire academic community, preparing all our graduates to excel in a globalized economy.

How have we earned it?

Becoming STEM-certified is no small feat. It requires meeting stringent criteria set by DHS, ensuring that our curriculum is heavily grounded in technical and quantitative skills. At Rice Business, we’ve designed our programs to not only meet these requirements but to exceed them.

Explore the Rice MBA

PREVIOUS CAREER AND CURRENT INTERNSHIP

Previous position before MBA:

• Title: Product Owner
• Company: Ericsson
• Location: Gurugram, India

Summer Internship: 

• Title: Technical Program Manager Intern
• Company: F5
• Location: San Jose, CA

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HOW DID YOU SECURE YOUR INTERNSHIP?

I applied for the role through LinkedIn. Two weeks later, I received my screening interview invite, followed by a Superday, which had three interviews back-to-back.

WHAT WERE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES DURING THE INTERNSHIP?

I am working as a technical program manager intern here at F5. For my summer assignment, I am working on an AI implementation strategy for the organization that focuses on employee efficiency, standardization and automation.

WHAT DEPARTMENT WAS YOUR INTERNSHIP WITH?

I am part of the technical program management team in the Secured Distributed Cloud unit (SDC) at F5. 

HOW DID YOUR MBA COURSEWORK PREPARE YOU FOR THIS INTERNSHIP?

Multiple things are helping me in this internship. First is the communication course, as it made my conversations with leadership teams very productive. Apart from that, a mix of concepts from Product Management, Data Analytics, and Strategy courses are helping me design the strategy to get the desired outcome. I am working on the business strategy part, and that involves bits and pieces of almost everything I learned in the last two semesters, be it finance, marketing or organizational behavior. 

HOW DOES THE INTERNSHIP ALIGN WITH YOUR CAREER GOALS?

Having a tech background, I always wanted to continue in this industry. AI being the talk of the town, I wanted to get firsthand experience with that, and this internship has allowed me to do so. I will be completing my MBA with specializations in marketing and strategy. This internship allowed me to work in a strategy role that will add to my technical career. 

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HOW DO YOU THINK THE INTERNSHIP WILL HELP YOU WITH YOUR MBA STUDIES OR FUTURE CAREER?

F5 is a SaaS-based/cybersecurity company that aligns perfectly with my experience and career goals. Working with AI strategy strengthens my profile to excel in that direction.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE?

My favorite part is the people. I'm engaged in an exciting project with brilliant co-workers and leaders, and it's the team environment that enhances the experience. The senior leadership at F5 embodies the “BeF5” values, which is remarkable. I’m never treated as just an intern. I even had the opportunity to meet the CEO, chief product officer and chief marketing officer. The cherry on top was presenting my project to the CPO. The accessibility and ease of communication with everyone make it the best part.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS?

It's important to present the best version of yourself to employers and those you meet but remember to stay true to who you are. Authenticity goes a long way. Be yourself but stay open-minded. The MBA journey is a time for growth and learning, and being adaptable will help you make the most of it. Embrace vulnerability and know that it's okay to feel uncertain at times. These moments can lead to significant personal and professional growth. The key is to bounce back, learn from the experience and work even harder.

Parool Didwania is a Full-Time MBA student in the Class of 2025.