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Credit-Card Autopay Can Benefit Consumers (a Little)

Nudging consumers to use autopay might seem like a straightforward way to help them pay down their credit card debt, but the reality is more complex. Recent studies suggest that while autopay can encourage some cardholders to make more than the minimum payment, the impact on overall debt reduction is minimal. For instance, many consumers set their autopay amounts only slightly above the minimum, leading to little progress in reducing their balances.

“We hoped nudging cardholders to adopt autopay would help them passively repay a bigger portion of their outstanding balance and this would reduce their debt, but that’s not what happened,” says Benedict Guttman-Kenney, assistant professor of finance.

“Repaying credit-card debt is hard for consumers, as is designing policies to try to help them do so,” says Guttman-Kenney. “A key reason for this is consumers frequently have little spare cash available to pay down their debt even when nudged to do so.” So, he adds, even when enrollment choices change, “it’s not sufficient to change the desired outcome —reducing credit-card debt.”

Aug. 7, 2024 | Lisa Ward

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Safety Should Be A Performance Driver

Safety is viewed as a fundamental right, yet many companies mismanage it, treating it as a compliance issue rather than a strategic priority. Despite significant investments in safety measures and regulatory oversight, workplace accidents and product recalls remain frequent. In 2023 alone, the U.S. saw 3,300 product recalls and 5,486 fatal work injuries.

Safety mismanagement occurs because executives frequently view it as a cost to be minimized, rather than as an opportunity to enhance performance and competitiveness. New research by Rice Business professors Vikas Mittal and Alessandro Piazza shows that when companies integrate safety into their core strategy, it can drive customer satisfaction, employee welfare and even financial returns. In one of their studies, 11,451 customers across 1,785 companies in 65 industries found that safety is associated with a 9% increase in overall customer satisfaction.

This satisfaction, in turn, drives a 13% increase in sales. By shifting their mindset and treating safety as a driver of value rather than a constraint, companies can not only protect their employees and customers but also gain a significant competitive advantage, turning safety into a key component of their success.

Sept–Oct, 2024 | Vikas Mittal, Alessandro Piazza and Sonam Singh

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The 4 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Saying ‘Yes’ To A Job Offer

Ask yourself whether you’ll enjoy crafting the new role ... Obviously, enjoying your job or role is important for life satisfaction and growth. Ask the following question from the decluttering guru Marie Kondo and Rice Business professor Scott Sonenshein — does this (part of the) role “spark joy”? Now to be clear, there will be parts of the role that are less “joy sparking” than others. Can you automate these less desirable tasks, using AI or similar tools?

In short, you can “craft” the role in a way that sparks more joy. Scale-ups and fast-growing startups are perfect places for job crafting. Many times, scale-up leaders only have a prototype conceptualization of your job. As one scale-up executive put it to me, “you really need to ask lots of questions to make sure what you think the role is matches what the scale-up thinks the role is. There is also a lot of room for negotiation.”

You might be asking yourself, do I have to completely love the new role? The answer is — it depends. If some answers are a clear no, then you know what to do. Just remember that these questions may inspire negotiation and “job crafting,” which in turn allows for the role to create hyper-growth for you, your career, and the organization.

May 10, 2024 | David Sluss

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Could a Change to the Goodwill Rule Boost Private Equity?

Accountants have been wringing their hands for decades over how to treat a business’s goodwill — the value of customer loyalty, human capital and synergies — when a company changes hands. Should it be allowed to sit on the books perhaps indefinitely, or should an acquirer write it off over a defined period of time?

Changing the rules to require that buyers amortize, or gradually expense, goodwill over 10 years would slash buyout prices, dramatically shrink the $1.6 trillion-a-year U.S. mergers and acquisitions market, and push more businesses into the arms of private-equity buyers, according to Rice Business’ Stefan J. Huber and Chicago Booth’s Charles McClure.

“Such changes in the makeup of winners can influence the ownership of a substantial portion of the economy,” the researchers write. “Adopting an accounting standard that amortizes goodwill reduces the relative strength of strategic bidders” but “does not affect financial bidders’ values.”

They estimate that such a shift would increase the likelihood of a financial bidder winning the takeover from nearly 30 percent to about 37 percent.

June 7, 2024 | Francine McKenna

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Texas Stock Exchange Proposal Raises Profile Of Texas MBA Programs

The proposed Texas Stock Exchange in Dallas is a step to secure Texas’ position as an economic powerhouse. The business-friendly air of Texas, which is now home to more Fortune 500 companies than any other state, extends to the TXSE. MBA programs in the state may see new opportunities to attract top talent and keep people in Texas.

Peter Rodriguez, dean of Rice Business, said it is a little early to tell. But pointed to the boom in financial institutions in Texas.

“MBA applicants typically target schools near where they would like to work,” Rodriguez said in a phone interview. “An exchange in Texas would move the balance toward us. We would expect to see more hiring directly into Texas-based institutions and corporations from Texas MBA programs.”

“We are looking to expand our finance programs in anticipation of what we hope will be continued growth in the finance industry in Texas,” Rodriguez adds.

The new stock exchange boosts opportunities for ambitious people to train in state, work in state and grow the economy of the state of Texas.

Updated June 10, 2024 | Dr. Marlena Corcoran

(Check out our spring issue for students from our Ph.D., MAcc, Undergrad, Online and Hybrid programs.)
 

Mercedes Moncada-Garcia, Full-Time MBA ’25

Born in Mexico City, Mercedes grew up in Guadalajara and is now a resident of Houston. She’s currently reading “Disciplined Entrepreneurship” by Bill Aulet. During the summer, she worked on an entrepreneurial reef restoration project. Her favorite memory on campus so far was the Partio hosted by the Latin Business Student Association, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, followed by the Valhalla afterparty.

Lucas Spangler, PMBA Weekend ’25

Lucas works as a senior manager at commercialization at NRG in Dallas. He grew up in Ely, Minnesota. His favorite memory at Rice Business is when a classmate frantically took off his tie as they walked into Valhalla so it wouldn’t get clipped! He is listening to “Fareed Zakaria GPS” and “Acquired” podcasts.

Mark Yang, PMBA Evening ’25

Mark now lives in Houston, 8,000 miles from Chengdu, China, where he was born. He has experience in healthcare and medtech and will work in management consulting next. His favorite memory on campus was celebrating his birthday with faculty, staff and classmates during Partio. Mark is reading “Never Finished” by David Goggins and listening to “Planet Money” and “Everyday Driver.”

Denise Buckley, EMBA ’25

A seasoned small-business-owner-turned-EMBA, Denise is fully embracing the art of living in the moment and navigating her next chapter. Her favorite memory on campus was her 50th birthday, celebrated with classmates, professors and her daughter (Brianna Buckley ’22), who surprised her in class with bundt cakes, much like the cupcakes her mom used to bring to her school on birthdays. The native New Yorker is reading “Die With Zero” by Bill Perkins.

In this issue, you’ll read about the “50 Things We Love About Rice Business.” I know I’m a bit biased, but there’s a lot to love about this school — especially how much we’ve grown. What started as a gift from Houston Endowment in 1974 became 55 students with two program options in 1977. Since then, we’ve become a top-ranked business school offering nine programs, including an undergraduate degree. We now have over 1,100 graduate students and a booming population of undergraduates studying with our world-renowned faculty and an alumni network of over 10,000.

One of my favorite things about the school and university is that we’re not afraid to do things differently when the market dictates it. We launched Rice’s first online degree, MBA@Rice, and followed that with a Hybrid MBA program — one of the first of its kind —because we knew from market research that flexibility in MBA degrees was highly valued. We also knew undergraduates wanted a business education similar in strength to what we could offer at the graduate level, so we created the undergraduate business major (read about our first class of graduates). And now, we look forward to the completion of a new building in 2026 that will accommodate this growth. Our commitment is to attract more talented and innovative students, faculty and staff to Rice, who will further improve our programs and research capabilities. This wonderful new facility is critical to fulfilling that commitment.

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Members of the Rice community came together to celebrate these successes in September at our 50th Anniversary Gala. It was truly a night to remember. What an honor it was to stand at the podium and look out at the alumni, donors, staff and faculty who have made Rice Business what it is today — and who will have a hand in who we will become moving forward.

As we wrap up our anniversary year, I ask you to think about the things you love about your business school and the ways you can join us in building its future. I truly believe Rice is home to some of the best minds in business, but no single dean, faculty member, donor or student creates this kind of legacy on their own. Thank you for being a part of our incredible story.

— Peter

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.

18

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.

32

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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.