Rice University greeted the incoming Class of 2027 for the first time during an eventful, emotional and celebratory O-Week move-in day Aug. 13.

Hundreds of Rice students who volunteered to lead new students through O-Week awaited the arriving parliament of Owls as they flooded through the campus bright and early Sunday morning looking to acclimate to their new educational home.

“Move-in day is the first day that the newest Owls step on campus, so obviously we want to make a great first impression to them,” said Alan Tapper, president of Hanszen College and a senior. “Not only is it their first time on Rice's campus, it is also their first time at Hanszen, so we want to welcome them with open arms, make sure that they are included and supported, and that they have a great time.”

Starting at 7 a.m., cars loaded with dorm room supplies, eager students and more than a few emotional parents lined the roads surrounding each of Rice’s 11 residential colleges, the student dormitories to which incoming students are randomly assigned, one of the unique traditions that forms the bedrock of Rice’s one-of-a-kind undergraduate student experience.

The most selective class in Rice’s history, this year’s incoming undergraduate class is made up of 1,140 talented young scholars.

One of those bright academics is incoming freshman Sara Avalos-Paez, who will reside in the newly built Sid Richardson College and is a business major.

“I applied to Rice because of the state-of-the-art facilities, and I knew that the Jones Graduate School of Business’ recently established undergraduate program is going to be taught by the master program’s professors,” she said. “I knew this is an opportunity that will prepare me to work anywhere because of how good the business program is.”

While Avalos-Paez grew up in Houston, other freshmen traveled across the country or the globe to start their academic journey.

David Lee, originally from South Korea, moved to Carmel, Indiana, and now calls Houston home.

“I think for a while it was just an idea in my head that I got accepted to Rice,” the Martel College freshman said. “I visited campus on Tuesday, and by walking through the Founder’s Court and seeing all the historic buildings and the trees … there are so many little details that you don't see in the promo videos that you comprehend when you arrive on campus. Everything is now setting in and has made me more excited than before, which I didn't know was possible.”

As each student arrived, they were greeted by current Rice students, college magisters, faculty and staff. The Rice football team helped provide some muscle as new Owls moved boxes and room decorations to their new abode, and Rice President Reginald DesRoches and Provost Amy Dittmar drove from college to college to greet students.

Student volunteers (“advisers” in Rice lingo) brandished hand-painted signs welcoming the newest members of their respective flocks.

Advisers danced and jumped along to pop music booming from loudspeakers, which was then drowned out by cheers from upperclassmen shouting the names of incoming students arriving in their vehicles. Each car was quickly enveloped by advisers — hand carts and dollies at the ready — leaping to the task of moving their new classmates’ possessions into their new homes on campus.

Providing extra hands for a smooth move-in process is just the beginning of the job O-Week advisers signed up for. These dedicated student volunteers will serve as mentors, friends and helpful sounding boards throughout their fellow students’ years at Rice.

Many of the volunteers understand the importance of participating in O-Week because some of them did not receive the traditional experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am part of the Class of 2024, so I was remote my freshman fall and my O-Week was all virtual,” said Jackson Hughes, a senior and president of McMurtry College. “I think I appreciate it so much more, being on this side of it, and I put so much energy into it because I never got it on the other side. I think a lot of the seniors feel that way.”

As the morning progressed, more new Owls were greeted and ushered into their residence for the next few years.

“It's sort of like unbelief and excitement and nervousness,” said Sophia Oliveira of Brown College. “We’re driving around, and I’m like, ‘Oh my god, I'm actually going here.’ It's crazy. I love the architecture. I love the campus. I love everything. I'm nervous, but I'm really excited.”

Blaire Sheftel, who is moving into Lovett College and was attracted to the university because of its small size and academic prestige, shared the same sentiment.

“It all seems very unreal,” she said. “I’m incredibly excited to be joining Rice this fall. Now that I'm here, everyone is excited and supportive for me to be here. I'm feeling a little nervous still, but I’m very ready to join.”

Droves of students expressed similar emotions, and like all good things, the day eventually had to come to an end … but not before one final moment spent with loved ones.

At 11 a.m., students and their families headed into the residential colleges for a buffet lunch -- the last meal the Class of 2027 would share before parents, uncles, aunts, cousins and siblings would be whisked away to family orientation presentations. Their Owls would begin getting to know the small O-Week groups they’d been assigned to, as well as the upperclassmen advisers, who lead each microcosm of the incoming class.

By 12:30 p.m., it was finally time to say goodbye. Hugs were shared as the eyes of students and their loved ones welled up. As one chapter of life ended for each student, another began anew, rife with hope, maybe a touch of anxiety, but most of all abundant excitement about everything Rice and the future has in store.

Rice O-Week participants are encouraged to include #RiceOWeek23 on their posts, videos and tweets. For a full schedule of O-Week events, click here.

Meet Ryan Flick, Full-Time MBA '24

MBA Internship: DaVita

Internship Location: Denver, CO

Position Before MBA: 

• Staff Physical Therapist: Encompass Health
• Owner: Neuro in Motion, LLC
• Lead Instructor: Integrated Kinetic Neurology, LLC

How did you secure your internship?

I networked with peers in my year and the second year. During that networking experience, I came across an opportunity at DaVita. A classmate connected me with the recruiter, and I eventually received an offer.

What is your role and responsibilities during the internship?

I'm a growth strategy intern. For my summer project, I'm working on a team that has historically generated millions of dollars in annual top-line revenue per year. The project involved mapping the admissions process for an entire region, developing best practices for each division vice president, presenting recommendations to senior executives, and overseeing change management as new processes were implemented.

What department is your internship with?

Operations Strategy

How did your MBA coursework prepare you for this internship?

Rice provides the learning opportunities needed to handle projects of this magnitude.

The coursework (especially that first semester) prepared me for the rigor of working at DaVita. Data Analysis with Prof. Weston was particularly vital to my success. Senior executives want data driven decisions. Without a confident understanding of how to combine data with intuition and industry insights, you will fall short of expectations.

Organizational Behavior with Professor Marlon was also important for understanding leadership role influence and how to navigate the complexities of interpersonal motivations within a large company.

How does the internship align with your career goals?

I pursued my MBA to escape the monotony and professional limitations of the typical clinician. My internship has provided me with unexpected opportunities to advance my career in healthcare. It’s made me a better leader and helped me contribute to driving positive change in the industry.

How do you think the internship will help you with your MBA studies or future career?

My internship provided me with more clarity on what I want out of a career and, in turn, what skills I need to develop to achieve those goals. I will return to my second year with those skills in mind and with a renewed sense of energy and enthusiasm for the curriculum ahead.

What is your favorite part of your internship experience?

My favorite part of the internship experience is Davita’s tie between professional development and cohort bonding time. The internship challenged me in new ways, helped develop my leadership and project management skills, and surrounded me with a cohort of supportive peers that made the experience more fun and engaging.

What advice do you have for prospective students?

An MBA can be overwhelming. I have two pieces of advice:

1. Put your best foot forward in every class you take, every club you join, and every relationship you build.
2. Things probably won’t turn out exactly as you envision, so remember to give yourself some grace throughout the process.

Why did you select Rice Business and why did you choose the Hybrid MBA program?

I chose Rice Business for 2 big reasons. First, I wanted a well balanced program and curriculum. I’m not sure exactly what my next career opportunity will be so it was very important to me to pick a program with an academic outline that could propel me in many directions rather than a program focused on 1 or 2 technical functions. The second reason I chose Rice and ultimately the Hybrid MBA program is because of the prestigious reputation of the faculty, staff and students. I wanted to learn and interact with the best. Both the Online and In-Person MBA program are very highly rated and so the Hybrid program allows me to experience the best of both worlds.

Can you describe your preparation process for business school?

The first thing I did was make sure that an MBA is something that I wanted and was mentally prepared for. I had conversations with my mentors and several C-Suite executives at my company. A made a list of objectives and reasons for going back to business school and discussed them point by point with people I trusted. At the end of that process it was clear to me that there was a strong benefit to pursuing this degree at this time.

What do you most look forward to as an MBA student?

The Hybrid MBA is unique in that I’m still working full-time, I live outside of the Houston metro area but I’m still getting a world class education from Rice. For those reasons, I really look forward to the monthly on-campus weekends. First, I get to tune out the distractions of home and really focus on integrating the concepts we have been learning into real life. But I also really enjoy interacting with my cohort both in and out of the classroom. I was surprised at how much learning happens over dinner and just casual conversations about our personal stories and careers.

Can you describe your professional goals after Rice Business?

I decided to pursue an MBA at Rice Business because I aspire to more leadership opportunities with Vacasa and in my career that require great problem-solving and communication skills. Moreover, I’m interested in National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise ownership and operations in collaboration with an entertainment enterprise. I really like the business of sports and entertainment. It’s also true that most sports executives build their skills and spread their influence in other industries before pivoting into sports and entertainment. The broad skill set provided by Rice Business’ MBA program will equip me with resources to be a champion executive before transitioning into sports enterprise management.

What advice would you give to someone applying to the Hybrid MBA program?

The format of the Hybrid MBA program is highly unique. Make sure that it’s an environment that will feel confident working and learning in. Individuals that are camera shy might do better in other formats. Our discussions (even online) are very lively. Also if you have weak wifi, get an ethernet cable and run it up to your router like I did. You’re going to need it!

Want to know more about the Hybrid MBA student experience? Attend one of our admissions events!

Summer internships are critical to a quality MBA experience. They offer vital insights and a chance to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios.

We recently spoke with five MBA students to hear about their summer internship journeys. From strategizing sustainability at Cisco to innovating operations in the wine industry, these students describe how critical a summer internship is to achieving their career goals.

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#1 — Driving Decarbonization at Quanta:

Nikki Beittenmiller’s internship journey began over breakfast with a former colleague. She has a passion for the energy transition, and Quanta Services — a corporation that provides infrastructure services for power and communication industries — was the perfect place to be. As an intern in the strategic operations department, she evaluates new market opportunities related to energy transition issues and technologies. Her Quanta internship will broaden her understanding of energy infrastructure and investments in climate tech.

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#2 — Sustainability Strategy at Cisco

For Dana Vazquez, being part of The Consortium helped her secure an internship with Cisco's sustainability strategy team. Through networking, Dana learned about Cisco's work and culture. Ultimately, she landed a role as Rising Leader in the company’s FLEX Intern Program. In this role, she explores the 3P space (people, policy and purpose) while managing and planning sustainability projects across various company sectors. On a big picture level, the internship has allowed her to explore the ESG field and find a niche in the energy industry.

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#3 — Healthcare Hustle at DaVita:

Ryan Flick’s internship in growth strategy at DaVita — a company that provides kidney dialysis services — is advancing his career in the healthcare industry. During his time there, he worked for a part of the company that generates $2 billion in annual top line revenue, developed best practices for division vice presidents, and presented strategy recommendations to senior executives. In his words, “My internship has made me a better leader and helped me contribute to driving positive change in the industry.”

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#4 — Furry Fun at Chewy:

Alex Post is interning at Chewy, an e-commerce company focused on pet products. She secured her internship by applying directly through the Chewy website and worked there as a merchandising consultant. Her post-MBA plan is to work for a CPG company like Chewy — one of the fastest growing CPGs in 2022 — so her internship aligns perfectly with her career goals. By happy accident, being at Chewy means being surrounded by new furry friends!

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#5 — Vineyard Visionary at Gallo:

For Adrienne Miller, securing an internship with E. & J. Gallo, the largest winery in the world, was a dream come true. Working in their supply chain and operations department, she creates strategies to transform and innovate fiber materials to generate cost savings and minimize waste in packaging. The internship will help her pivot to become an innovator of luxury goods. Her favorite part of being at Gallo? A trip to Napa Valley, where she delved into viticulture and gained a deeper knowledge of wine and spirits.

As these five MBA students show, summer internships are critical to broadening one’s career horizons and staying true to one's passions. We’re excited to see where they go from here.

Explore Our Rice MBA Programs

Owl Have You Know

Tune into another recording from this year’s alumni reunion!

Tracy and John join host Maya Pomroy ’22 to talk about their lives together, what brought them to Houston and to Rice, post-Partio Lamaze classes, and why they continue to give back to the Rice community.

Watch

Listen

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

Meet MBA@Rice students, Chinenye Ozougwu and Liam Morris, and recent graduate, Rodney Kroll. This year, the MBA@Rice program is celebrating its 5th anniversary since its establishment in 2018. In 2023, the online MBA program was ranked #4 and #12 on the lists of best online MBA programs by the Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report, respectively.

What is your current role?

Chinenye: I am the owner and CEO of El Shaddai Care Services (ESCS), Inc.

Rodney: I am the market president for First State Bank in Waco, Texas. In addition, I own an independent insurance agency offering property and casualty insurance for homes, ranches, and vehicles. I recently accepted a part-time role teaching corporate finance at Baylor University.

Liam: I am an assistant airport operation manager for United Airlines.

Why are you pursuing your MBA?

Liam: I didn’t plan on grad school. But about two weeks after completing my bachelor's degree, I was invited to a company event where I met several executives and senior leaders. On the plane ride home, I opened LinkedIn and realized that these executive and senior leaders all had something in common: They had an MBA. I immediately began looking into MBA programs and realized that the degree would not only help me professionally but would also give me an innovative approach to problem-solving.

What prompted your decision to choose Rice Business?

Chinenye: Several factors influenced my decision. One significant factor was the success of my brother who graduated from Rice with a degree in economics. He excelled in college football and went on to the NFL, where he achieved many things, both on and off the field. Additionally, I wanted a local educational experience that would allow me to immerse myself in a vibrant and close-knit student community. Being awarded the Dean’s Scholarship reinforced my decision to join Rice Business.

What has been your favorite memory at Rice Business?

Rodney: I have many great memories about my cohort, the team projects, and the learning experience. I particularly appreciate the faculty members who took time to give me encouragement.

What advice would you give to a prospective student?

Chinenye: Prioritize meaningful relationships and connections over grades and future job prospects. Remember: “Your network is your net worth.” Your network holds immense value and can significantly impact your success in the future. While it’s excellent to maintain a stellar academic record, don't overlook the true essence of the Rice MBA experience. It encompasses much more than you think.

Rodney: MBA@Rice is a great program for someone with an undergraduate degree and a first career job who is seeking to be positioned for career advancement. The program is worth the time and effort to improve your future.

Liam: Don’t be afraid! There have been dozens of times when I asked myself “can I really do this?” My work schedule is totally different from most of my peers. I work nights with weekdays off. I often wondered if this schedule would hurt me, but it did not. Everything will work out if you come to class, complete your assignments, give it your best, and contribute. You’ll walk away with an experience that you can apply daily. Also, bring what you learn to your daily work life. The case studies and lectures I get from school have made an impact on my contribution to work meetings.