Shaun Reghabi

Home City: Scottsdale

Home State: AZ

Home Country: United States

Undergraduate Institution: California State University: Monterey Bay

Undergraduate Degree and Major (and minor, if applicable): Kinesiology

Pre-MBA Industry: Healthcare

Pre-MBA Company: Texas Children's Hospital

Pre-MBA Title: Physical Therapist - Clinical Specialist; Sports & Orthopedics

Desired industry post-MBA: Healthcare

Desired job function post-MBA: Executive Administration - Healthcare Consulting

Student Organization Membership: Rice Business Board Fellows, Consulting Association, Entrepreneurship Association, Healthcare Association

Officer: Healthcare Association: Co-President 26-27 Year 

What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA experience? The most surprising part of my Rice MBA experience has been how genuine the culture and sense of belonging truly are. From the outside, phrases like community and belonging can sometimes feel like slogans used in marketing materials. But in my experience, they are very real and embedded in how the program operates day to day.

Coming into the program from a nontraditional background in healthcare, I initially expected there would be a steep adjustment period. Transitioning into an MBA environment with peers from consulting, finance, and other business disciplines can feel daunting. What stood out to me was how intentional the program is in supporting that transition.

The resources available, along with the accessibility of faculty and staff, made a significant difference. Whether through academic support, career guidance, or informal conversations, there was always a willingness to help ensure that students from different professional backgrounds could integrate quickly and confidently.

That support allowed me to hit the ground running much faster than I expected. Instead of feeling like I needed to “catch up,” I felt encouraged to bring my own professional perspective into the classroom while learning from the diverse experiences of my classmates.

What surprised me most is how much the community genuinely invests in each student’s success. It creates an environment where people feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and growing together, which ultimately makes the learning experience far more impactful.

What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience so far? Beyond the courses, world class faculty and staff, and the many student associations, my favorite part of the MBA experience has been the opportunity to learn and grow alongside my cohort. Being surrounded by peers from such diverse professional and personal backgrounds has made the experience especially meaningful.

Each class discussion, group project, and informal conversation brings new perspectives that challenge how I think about problems and leadership. Coming from a healthcare background, I’ve found it incredibly valuable to learn from classmates with experience in consulting, finance, technology, energy, and entrepreneurship. Those perspectives have broadened how I approach complex issues and helped me see problems through a more strategic and interdisciplinary lens.

What has made the experience most rewarding is that this learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom. It continues through conversations before and after class, working through projects together, and supporting one another through the challenges of the program. There is a genuine sense that everyone wants to see their peers succeed.

That shared commitment to growth and collaboration has made the opportunities for learning much more meaningful. It’s not just about gaining new knowledge or skills, but about developing alongside a group of talented individuals who continuously push each other to think bigger and lead more effectively.

What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective student – one sentence? If you’re thinking about applying, lean into the opportunity for growth and take the leap because real leadership begins when you defy limits, move differently, and serve with purpose.