NA D I S C OVER YO URS
mbadna.com
WHAT IS MBA DNA? INNOVATION? CURIOSITY? TENACITY? PASSION WITH EVERY FIBER OF YOUR BEING? THE DRIVE TO DO MORE, INSTEAD OF DOING JUST ENOUGH? MBA DNA IS ALL OF THIS AND MORE. IT MAKES YOU WHO YOU ARE. DISCOVER YOURS.
drives a person to earn an MBA? And what is the W hat starting point? Within each of us lies the urge to excel, to
accomplish and to succeed. Where will it lead? If MBA DNA is different for everyone how do you find a match? The same qualities that define you define the Rice MBA experience because the Rice MBA is about people: students, faculty, alumni, staff — people who care about learning, leading, communicating, connecting, transforming and taking charge.
Get a glimpse of the MBA DNA that makes up the Jones Graduate School of Business. Discover what influenced the decisions of our students, our alumni, our faculty and learn how the transformative experience of becoming a principled, innovative leader helps define them today. Discover yours at: mbadna.com.
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PROFILE
JIMMY BATTISTA PERSONAL ELEMENTS ¥¥ Hometown: Port Richey, Florida ¥¥ Has a two-year-old son ¥¥ Naval reserve officer with SEAL Team EIGHTEEN
¥¥ Rice University, MBA ’13 PRESIDENT, VETERANS IN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
CO-CHAIRMAN, 2012 RICE ENERGY FINANCE SUMMIT (REFS)
U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY B.S. POLITICAL SCIENCE ’03
PRE-MBA JOB: U.S. NAVY, NAVY SEAL PLATOON COMMANDER, SEAL TEAM EIGHT
Jimmy enrolled at the Jones School, he and veteran W hen classmates noticed there were more than 20 veterans
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among the Rice MBA programs. After further research, they found even more veterans who had graduated from the MBA program and were also successful members of the Houston business community. “Since our founding last fall, Veterans in Business Association (VIBA) has held networking events and panel discussions to connect current veteran students with veterans throughout Houston.”
INTERNSHIP: GAS AND POWER MARKETING, EXXONMOBIL
They are also official partners of the 501(c)(3) organization Suits for Soldiers — an organization dedicated to helping transitioning veterans find employment in the private sector. “Our goal is not to compete with some of the major Jones School clubs like Energy and Finance,” Jimmy said. “But to provide opportunities for students and alumni to give something back to the veteran community and have access to the Rice and Houston veteran network.”
WHEN I
LEFT THE NAVY, I KNEW I WANTED
TO WORK IN OIL AND GAS
BECAUSE I THOUGHT MY EXPERIENCE OVERSEAS, ESPECIALLY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, WOULD TRANSLATE WELL. HOWEVER, I KNEW LITTLE ABOUT WHAT TYPES OF JOBS MIGHT BE BEST FOR SOMEONE WITH MY PARTICULAR BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE. RICE AND THE VETERANS’ NETWORK HAS HELPED ME FIGURE OUT WHICH COMPANIES AND JOB FUNCTIONS MIGHT SUIT MY CAREER GOALS.
Jimmy found that his experience as a Naval officer had already influenced his time at the Jones School. “I have been able to work with fellow veteran students and alumni to help start VIBA. Most importantly, we have been able to work together to provide opportunities for veterans and non-veterans to give back to the veteran community by helping them transition successfully to Rice and civilian life.”
By building the Jones School and Houston veteran network, students have been able to tap into some fantastic mentorship opportunities through those veterans who have made successful transitions from the military to business. “By talking with those who have made successful transitions to civilian careers, I am in a better position to make good decisions about the next chapter of my professional life.”
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ATTENDING
DIVERSITY PREVIEW WEEKEND
HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
ON MY DECISION TO ATTEND RICE. THE CLASS SIMULATION, INFORMATIONAL PANEL SESSION AND SPEAKER PRESENTATION FROM THE CAREER MANAGEMENT CENTER GAVE ME A WELL-ROUNDED POSITIVE IMPRESSION OF WHAT I COULD EXPECT AS A STUDENT AT THE JONES SCHOOL.
HELLO my na me is
Zakiyah Davis
PREVIEW WEEKENDS As the leading business school in Houston, the Jones School must reflect the city’s diverse business community, and it is imperative to have students from all backgrounds who enhance the diversity of thought necessary during a time that calls for global thought leaders.
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Diversity Preview Weekend and Women’s Preview Weekend are two-day events that offer prospective students from all over
the world a detailed look at the Rice MBA programs. Activities for preview weekend programs may include an alumni and student panel, a case simulation and networking workshop led by Jones School faculty, presentations by the school’s Career Management Center and Admissions department as well as time allotments for socializing, networking and interviewing.
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PROFILE
ZAKIYAH DAVIS PERSONAL ELEMENTS ¥¥ Hometown: Battle Creek, MI ¥¥ Member, Houston Area Urban League Young Professionals
¥¥ Rice University, MBA ’13
INTERNSHIP: COMMERCIAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INTERN JOHNSON & JOHNSON
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA, B.S. BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION & MARKETING ’04
VICE PRESIDENT, BLACK BUSINESS STUDENT ASSOCIATION (BBSA) PRE-MBA JOB: DJO GLOBAL SALES TERRITORY MANAGER
MARKETING CLUB MEMBER MULTI SPORTS CLUB MEMBER
the decision about graduate school affects your future. M aking No question. Zakiyah knew that Diversity Preview Weekend
might just illuminate the intangibles for her. “Just like a cultural fit is important in deciding where to work, it was also an important factor in deciding where I was going to enroll in business school. I attended Diversity Preview Weekend because I wanted the opportunity to interact with Jones School students and alumni with diverse backgrounds similar to my own. It was vital for me to get a clear picture of their educational and social experiences.”
What surprised her? “I expected current and former students to say positive things about the program, but the level of passion that was displayed for Rice and the degree of genuine optimism for the Jones School was unexpected.” Zakiyah defined diversity at the Jones School as “the merging of various cultural backgrounds, work and life experiences, and talents into a common goal of excellence in education and workforce preparation.” It has proven to be the perfect fit.
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PROFILE
FEDERICO MUYSHONDT PERSONAL ELEMENTS ¥¥ Hometown: San Salvador, El Salvador ¥¥ Texas A&M University , B.S. Marketing ’03 ¥¥ Rice University, MBA ’07 ¥¥ Pre-MBA Job: Marketing Operations & Pricing Dell Inc.
¥¥ Internship: Brand Marketing - Beauty Care Procter & Gamble
¥¥ Co-Founder of Chicken Kitchen ¥¥ Post-MBA Job: Sr. Director, Sales Strategy & Planning The Dannon Company (Danone)
acknowledged that an MBA prepares you for many F ederico things, not one function in particular, but that it’s up to you to take advantage of that.
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“Exploring your biggest strengths can be a good thing. Always be open to the possibilities. Don’t limit your view of the Jones School as a place for professionals interested in pursuing a specific career, but as a place that will make you a well-rounded professional. It will give you all the tools and open up many doors... then it’s up to each individual to make it happen.”
After two years at Dell, Federico started to see the difference between the people with an MBA and those without. He also noticed the way their careers were panning out, as well as their respective leadership skills. “I understood that to hone my overall professional skills an MBA was going to take me to the next level professionally and convert me from a “doer” to a leader. I knew deep down that I wanted to go into consumer products eventually, and an MBA was also that viable avenue that would take my career in that direction.”
AFTER MY MBA
I STARTED DOING THE
TRADITIONAL BRAND MARKETING ROLE FOR FRITO-LAY (PEPSICO). I HAD ROTATIONS IN INNOVATION AND SHOPPER MARKETING, BEYOND TRADITIONAL BRAND MANAGEMENT. WHEN I MOVED TO DANNON I CAME HERE IN MORE OF A HYBRID ROLE — MARKETING, SALES AND FINANCE — ON THE STRATEGY TEAM, WHERE KNOWING THE BASICS OF MARKETING IS NECESSARY BUT UNDERSTANDING THE INS AND OUTS OF TRADE AND PROFIT AND LOSS MANAGEMENT IS A HUGE PART OF IT. THE RICE MBA PREPARED ME WITH THE ALL-AROUND KNOWLEDGE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATION WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS IN THE ORGANIZATION THAT MY TEAM TOUCHES WITHOUT HAVING TO BE NECESSARILY AN EXPERT IN EVERY FIELD.
When looking for an MBA program, Federico knew he wanted a more intimate setting where he could have a one-on-one connection with professors and peers. As he drilled down in his search, the Jones School rose to the top. “Rice University carries a lot of weight around the world. When it came to comparing the programs I was considering, it was obvious to me that Rice offered the best value, especially Houston from a cost of living standpoint as well the financial aid options available. All of this made the price/value equation of the program very good.”
Earning an MBA was a transformative experience for Federico, both personally and professionally. “I can honestly say that the Jones School changed my life dramatically. My business school experience at Rice was as much an academic experience as it was a social and personal learning experience. Learning how to speak in public, mastering my interview skills, learning how to make small talk with recruiters at Partio every Thursday... there are countless things I learned that together with the academic content, made my experience an incredible one.”
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THE GOAL
OF THE STUDENT
MISSION STATEMENT
IS TO SET THE LONG-TERM DIRECTION OF THE JGSB CULTURE. IT WAS DESIGNED TO EXPAND ON THE IDEALS OF THE RICE HONOR CODE AND WAS TRULY WRITTEN BY THE ENTIRE STUDENT BODY. ADDITIONALLY, IT SERVES TO SET THE EXPECTATIONS OF PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF, AND THE GREATER BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
As aspiring leaders, we join the Jones School to develop ourselves through academic pursuit and contributions to our community. STUDENT MISSION STATEMENT As aspiring leaders, we join the Jones School to develop ourselves through academic pursuit and contributions to our community. To demonstrate our commitment, we will:
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¥¥
Act with integrity,
¥¥
Value the differences in individuals, and
¥¥
Strive for excellence.
In accordance with this commitment, we hold ourselves accountable to be prepared, respect the wisdom of our faculty and peers, and practice intellectual curiosity. We will also hold our instructors accountable to help us develop the skills and intuition necessary to distinguish Jones School graduates as
superlative leaders. Upon graduation, we will demonstrate principled leadership in our communities and uphold strong ethical values while guarding the reputation of our peers, school, and profession.
HONOR CODE Rice has a high trust culture that obligates individuals to preserve our legacy of honor. Developing principled leaders starts on day one. Academic integrity in the form of the Rice Honor Code is presented as soon as a student begins the Rice MBA program. Violations of the Rice Honor Code are handled by the Rice Honor Council which handles any abuses reported. “On my honor, I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on this exam or paper.” – Student Signature
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PROFILE
JIMMY MOFFETT PERSONAL ELEMENTS ¥¥ Hometown: Trophy Club, Texas ¥¥ Eagle Scout ¥¥ Rice University, MBA ’12 ¥¥ Post-MBA Job: Business Development Manager, Salient Partners, LP
COO, M.A. WRIGHT FUND PRESIDENT, JONES STUDENT ASSOCIATION (JSA)
INTERNSHIP: INVESTMENTS ANALYST SALIENT PARTNERS
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY, B.S. AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS ’05
JONES CITIZENSHIP AND M.A. “MIKE” WRIGHT AWARD WINNER PRE-MBA JOB: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE INTERFACEFLOR
as president of the JSA provided Jimmy an outlet to S erving give back to the Jones School where he could make a positive
impact on his fellow classmates and on future students. “I worked with nearly every student club, organization, and administrative department, encouraging collaboration and developing strong relationships. Professionally, I gained additional management experience and developed diplomatic acumen when connecting with leaders in the business community to promote the Jones School and form new partnerships.”
Jimmy worked closely with classmates to coordinate and develop the Student Mission Statement in his first year of business school. “As president of the JSA, I had the opportunity to integrate the statement as a valued set of principles to the full-time Class of 2013 through a newly developed mentorship program and to all the administrative departments of the Jones School. A short time later, the MBA for Professionals program adopted the statement into their curriculum as well.”
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PROFILE
ANTHEA ZHANG PERSONAL ELEMENTS ¥¥ Mother of two children ¥¥ Married to Haiyang Li, Associate Professor of Strategic Management, Jones Graduate School of Business
¥¥ Nanjing University, China, B.A. ’92 and M.A. in Economics ’95 ¥¥ City University of Hong Kong, China, Master of Philosophy in International Business ’97
¥¥ University of Southern California, Ph.D. in Strategic Management ’01
research that weighs in on the place of ethics in W ithbusiness education and the business world, Dr. Zhang
believes that “sometimes, especially in emerging markets where institutional frameworks are not established and laws are not rigorously enforced, firms are tempted to use unethical approaches such as bribery as a shortcut to build their market presence quickly. It can turn out to be a disaster and hurt the firms’ competitive advantage.”
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As for CEO succession, another research focus, Dr. Zhang observes that “executive leadership and corporate governance are vital to the success or even the survival of any organization, particularly the publicly-listed companies. Senior executives, especially CEOs, are the symbols of the firms that they lead — e.g., Steve Jobs for Apple and Mark Zuckerberg for Facebook. External constituents link their characters to strategy and actions of their firms.”
WITHOUT THE RIGHT STRATEGY
,
FIRMS IN MARKET COMPETITION
ARE LIKE SHIPS AT SEA WITHOUT A COMPASS. THUS, IT IS CRUCIAL TO CHOOSE AN APPROPRIATE CEO AND REPLACE A CEO WHEN NECESSARY. APPOINTING AN APPROPRIATE CEO, DESIGNING INCENTIVES THAT CAN ALIGN THE CEO’S SELFINTEREST WITH THE FIRM’S INTEREST, AND MONITORING THE CEO ARE ULTIMATELY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
ACHIEVEMENTS
RESEARCH INTEREST
¥¥ Recipient of the 2010 Strategic Management Society (SMS)
¥¥ CEO succession and dismissal, executive leadership, and
¥¥ Associate editor of the Academy of Management Journal
¥¥ Technology innovation and entrepreneurship in emerging
Emerging Scholar Award
¥¥ Consulting editor of Management and Organization Review ¥¥ Editorial review board of Strategic Management Journal
corporate governance economies
¥¥ Foreign direct investment in emerging economies
¥¥ Representative-at-large of the Corporate Strategy and
Corporate Governance Interest Management Society (SMS)
Group
of
Strategic
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PROFILE
SHELLEY CAO PERSONAL ELEMENTS ¥¥ Hometown: Troy, Michigan ¥¥ University of Michigan, B.S. Computer Science Cell & Molecular Biology ’02 MD, Medicine ’06
¥¥ Rice University, MBA ’10 ¥¥ Pre-MBA Job: Surgery resident, Baylor College of Medicine ¥¥ Internship: Summer Associate, McKinsey & Co. ¥¥ Post-MBA Job: Associate, McKinsey & Co.
medical school and residency, Shelley entered business A fter school with no business background. She reflects on the
influence the Rice MBA had not only on the skills to succeed in the business world but on her career and thinking about the big picture. “It definitely provided me with the knowledge and analytical tools to do well. But more importantly, it helped me think through what I want out of a career and how I want to balance all the elements of life and work.”
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As a consultant working in Geneva, Switzerland, Shelley recognizes the value of her MBA experience. “The class and discussion on change management was really valuable. As a consultant, one is constantly entering new organizations, trying to understand the critical issues and introducing change to improve the current situation. It’s relatively simple to come up with the recommendations, but much more difficult to convince others that it is the right path and to have them actually change their behavior.”
MEDICAL SCHOOL
WAS GREAT IN TEACHING US
THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT O F PAT I E N TS A N D D IS E AS E.
HOWEVER, MODERN MEDICINE IS SYSTEM OF PROVIDERS, PAYORS, MEDICAL DEVICE MANUFACTURERS, I WANTED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AND WHAT I CAN DO TO MAKE THE
A MUCH MORE COMPLICATED PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES/ REGULATORS, AND PATIENTS. HOW THAT SYSTEM FUNCTIONS ENTIRE NETWORK BETTER.
SHELLEY’S TIPS FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS INTERESTED IN CONSULTING 1. Do your homework — research the companies and think through why each may be appealing to you. 2. Practice cases — it’s the only way to get good at cases; practicing with other people is particularly helpful. 3. Practice telling your own story for the behavioral part of the interview — it’s as important as the cases; practice telling the story clearly and think through what quality about you that you want the interviewer to walk away with from each story.
4. Network — reach out to alumni from the companies that you are interested in to learn more about their experience; but make sure to do your homework about the company first so you ask good questions (and not the ones you easily could have Googled the answers to). 5. Keep an open mind — there are many consulting companies and experiences, not just the big few. Think about what is important to you and what you are interested in (industry, function, etc.).
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I WORKED
WITH CHLOE DAO,
THE PROJECT RUNWAY WINNER AND OWNER/DESIGNER OF LOT 8
BOUTIQUE IN HOUSTON, TO REVITALIZE AND STREAMLINE HER BUSINESS. WHILE THE PROJECT WAS A LOT OF HARD WORK, IT WAS THE PERFECT WAY TO CULMINATE THE FIRST YEAR CLASS EXPERIENCE AND PUT MY MBA SKILLS TO WORK IN A VALUABLE WAY. IT WAS ALSO A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR MY TEAM TO PROVIDE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS TO A LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS.
MA LLORY EN GL E R
Uni ver s it y o f K a n sa s, B .A . S p a ni s h a nd H uman i t i e s an d Wes t er n Ci v i l i za t i o n ’ 07 Ri c e Univ e r sit y, MBA ’12 Pre-M B A Jo b: Te x a s Re g i on al Re p r e s e n t a t i v e , U n i v e r s it y o f K a n sa s Int erns h ip: C o m pe t it iv e I nt e l l i g e n ce I nt e r n, H a l l i b ur t o n Pos t-MB A Jo b: Se n io r C on s ul t a nt , K a l y p s o
ACTION LEARNING PROJECT
BUSINESS RESUSCITATION
During the first year’s Action Learning Project (ALP), students join a team of four to six in consulting for a dynamic host company over the entire second semester, with several intensive weeks on-site. With guidance from faculty and a corporate liaison, students study the scope of improvements needed and examine the company’s processes, then provide written recommendations and present findings to senior management. Project focuses have included brand image, financial modeling, new product development, product launch and strategy identification among many others.
Chloe Dao’s Houston boutique faced major financial obstacles. She needed a new perspective on her business and a blueprint for what to do next. Hiring a professional consultant was too costly, so the 2005 winner of Project Runway took a chance on a team of Rice MBAs and their Action Learning Project. Putting their skills into practice over one semester, the MBAs pored over Dao’s financial statements, interviewed her staff, studied the designer-boutique market, and surveyed customers to come up with recommendations to improve the business. Of their final presentation Dao said, “They performed CPR on my company, and it really was a lifesaver.” To read the full article in Inc. magazine from December 2011/January 2012, featuring Rice MBAs working on their Action Learning Project with Chloe Dao, visit the link below.
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I MET WITH
A NUMBER OF BANKS IN NEW YORK CITY. FOR ME, IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE FINANCE CLUB, I WOULD NOT HAVE A SUMMER INTERNSHIP IN BANKING. DAVID M URPH Y
Presi den t , Fin a n c e C lu b Uni ver s it y o f A la ba m a , B .A . Pol i t i ca l S ci e nce ’ 0 6 Ri c e Univ e r sit y, MBA ’13 Pre-M B A Jo b: Se n io r A s s o ci at e , En e r g y M ar ke t s a nd Gov er n m en t Af f a i r s – N a t u r a l Ga s S u ppl y Asso c i a t i o n Int erns h ip: Su m m e r A ss o ci at e , I n ve s t me n t B an k i ng , B a r c l ay s Ca pi t a l
M.A. WRIGHT FUND Despite a volatile and challenging stock market, the Jones Graduate School of Business’ student-run M.A. Wright Fund continues to generate impressive returns. Comprising students selected through a rigorous application and interview process, the Fund provides them with a hands-on opportunity to learn, develop, and apply effective stock analysis and portfolio management risk and return techniques. This student-run fund was established in 1995 with a generous memorial grant by the M.A. Wright family. The fund’s excess earnings are used to provide endowed scholarships.
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The Wright Fund’s home base for investment analysis and performance monitoring is the El Paso Corporation Finance Center located in the Jones School, providing students access to the center’s state-of-the-art research resources and analytical software. Students get hands-on experience using extensive data sources and powerful analytical tools such as Bloomberg, Reuters, @Risk, Research Insight, Crystal Ball, and AFG’s proprietary analytical tools.
ANOTHER WINNING SEASON FOR JONES SCHOOL FINANCE STUDENTS This year, members of the Jones School Finance Club and M.A. Wright Investment Fund added more wins to their trophy case, landing first place in two of the country’s top competitions. Students bested their competitors in the 16th annual Rolanette and Berdon Lawrence Case Competition at Tulane University, and a team of M. A. Wright Fund managing officers also won first place at the Portfolio Manager’s Competition at the Texas Investment Portfolio Symposium (TIPS) held this year at University of Texas at Dallas. The Wright Fund, a student-run live investment portfolio, also placed second in QGAME, a return competition held in New York City. In the Tulane competition teams are given five hours to analyze a case before presenting their financial and strategic analysis to a panel of finance industry professionals. Students present for 20 minutes and then field questions from the judges. “The competition gave students a chance to apply much of what they’d learned in class, which is a credit to the course load,” says Brian Walker ’12, a Wright Fund officer who will soon begin his post-MBA career at JP Morgan.
In the finals of TIPS, a Texas competition, teams pitched their portfolio management process to a panel of investment professionals in much the same way investment firms try to win institutional business. According to Walker, who served as chief economist of the Wright Fund and in the portfolio competition, “We briefed the panel on our philosophy behind managing the portfolio. It was like selling to the institution’s investors why they should trust us with their money. It was very challenging.” Rice will host next year’s TIPS competition in February.
MORE THAN THE THRILL OF VICTORY Professor Jill Foote, sponsor of the Finance Club for the past 10 years, explains “These events are very competitive. They require intelligence, diligence and awesome presentation skills. The students’ wins are a tangible, visible manifestation of what we’ve done in educating them and how well they have prepared themselves for real working environments.”
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PROFILE
ALLISON LAMI SAWYER PERSONAL ELEMENTS ¥¥ Hometown: Huntsville, Alabama ¥¥ University of Colorado at Boulder, B.Sc. Engineering and Engineering Physics ’07
¥¥ University of Leeds,England, M.Sc. Physics and Nanoscale Science and Technology ’08
¥¥ Rice University, MBA ’10 ¥¥ Internship: Investment Banking at Livingston Securities in NYC
¥¥ Post-MBA Job: CEO of Rebellion Photonics
a full-time student at the Jones School, Allison Lami A sSawyer ’10 and her Rebellion Photonics team won first place at the mai Bangkok Business Plan Challenge and second place at the Rice Business Plan Competition, earning over $125,000 in prizes. Two years later, as CEO, she credits her experience at the Jones School with giving her the business knowledge to be successful. “I always knew I wanted to start a business.”
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With her background in physics and nanotechnology she thought the Rice curriculum was the perfect fit. “Especially since the Jones School has such strong relationships with the Houston Technology Center and Rice Alliance.” Allison’s technical experience gave her the background to understand the technology, but her MBA experience shaped her into a CEO. “The knowledge I gained through my courses is absolutely vital to running a business. On at least a weekly
ENTREPRENEURS AREN’T IN IT
JUST FOR THE MONEY.
WE PUT OUR HEARTS AND SOULS INTO THE BUSINESS BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN OUR PRODUCTS AND WE BELIEVE THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD. I NAMED THE COMPANY REBELLION PHOTONICS BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT EVERY START-UP IS A REBELLION.
RICE BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship (Rice Alliance) is Rice University’s nationally-recognized initiative devoted to the support of technology commercialization, entrepreneurship education, and the launch of technology companies. It was formed as a strategic alliance of three schools: the George R. Brown School of Engineering, the Wiess School of Natural Sciences and the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business in collaboration with the Vice Provost and the Office of Research. The Rice Alliance is a catalyst for building successful ventures through education, guidance and connections. Its mission is to support the creation of technology-based companies and the commercialization of new technologies in the Houston community and Southwest.
basis, I reflect on what I learned in my accounting, finance, negotiations, and communications courses. I can now manage my business’ pro-forma financial statements and confidently negotiate directly with presidents of other companies to attract the required investment.” Invented at Rice University in 2009, Rebellion Photonics’ patent-pending technology is essentially a video camera that
Since its inception in 2000, the Rice Alliance has assisted in the launch of more than 250 start-ups which have raised more than half a billion dollars in early-stage capital. Over 1000 companies have presented at more than 125 programs hosted by the Rice Alliance. The Rice University Business Plan Competition is the world’s richest and largest. The competition has grown from nine teams in 2001 to 42 teams from around the world competing for more than $1.3 million in cash and prizes today. Over 133 past competitors are in business today having raised in excess of $394 million.
‘sees’ chemicals and has a wide variety of applications, from cancer research to gas leak detection on rigs. In less than two years, Rebellion Photonics is cash flow positive with over $2M in income and $1.1M in venture capital. Looking ahead to 2012, Allison hopes to secure an additional $10 million in second-round financing. With eight employees, Rebellion Photonics has also hired two interns from Rice. To learn more about their technology visit the link below.
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BECAUSE OUR MBA
PROGRAMS ARE
RELATIVELY SMALL, FACULTY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET TO KNOW THEIR STUDENTS VERY WELL ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS. COUPLED WITH OUR CULTURE, I THINK WE ARE ABLE TO DELIVER A PERSONALIZED AND CUSTOMIZED GRADUATE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE TO OUR STUDENTS MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN OTHER TOP BUSINESS SCHOOLS.
ith areas of interest ranging from social consumer behavior, W online marketing issues to relational aspects of consumer behavior, Professor Dholakia understands the influence
technology has on the future of business and how it is conducted. He says, “It’s hard to imagine any area of business, whether it is self-service kiosks, app-driven accounting and inventory management systems that function in real time, or data warehouses that record every consumer action, that is not fueled by technology. And studies indicate that the pace of technological
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innovation and adoption by businesses is only accelerating and will continue to do so. It’s an exciting time to be in the management profession, yet for managers the challenges associated with assessing, adopting and implementing new technologies are greater now than ever before.” Professor Dholakia’s research interests lie in studying motivational psychology of consumers and online marketing issues such as virtual communities and online auctions. He also studies relational
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PROFILE
UTPAL DHOLAKIA PERSONAL ELEMENTS ¥¥ MENSA Member ¥¥ Professor of Management ¥¥ University of Bombay, B.E. Industrial Engineering ’93 ¥¥ Ohio State University, M.S. Industrial Engineering ’94 ¥¥ University of Michigan, M.S. Cognitive Psychology ’97 ¥¥ University of Michigan, Ph.D. Marketing ’98
aspects of consumer behavior. He has published in a number of marketing and management journals, and consults with firms in financial services, energy, health-care and other industries. A two-time recipient of both the Award for Teaching Excellence and Scholarship Excellence Award, Professor Dholakia joined the Jones School in 2001. He has also taught at London Business School, University of Zurich and Korea University Business School.
GRANTS ¥¥ Exploring sustainability of Connexions William & Flora
Hewlett Foundation
¥¥ Understanding the Open Source Business Model: Application
to Connexions Computer and Information Technology Institute, Rice University (CITI)
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PROFILE
ERICA SEDEÑO PERSONAL ELEMENTS ¥¥ Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas ¥¥ Rice University, MBA ’12 ¥¥ Post-MBA Job: Corporate Finance, Kirby Corporation
CO-CHAIRMAN, 2011 RICE ENERGY FINANCE SUMMIT (REFS)
INTERNSHIP: CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT, TOTAL SAFETY
TRINITY UNIVERSITY B.A. ART HISTORY ’06
SENIOR ANALYST, M.A. WRIGHT FUND
PRE-MBA JOB: WEALTH MANAGEMENT, MORGAN STANLEY
a co-chair, Erica took on the responsibility of leading the A sorganizing committee of REFS. “I was confident we would
deliver a successful conference, however, I had not anticipated the level of interest from across the university to get involved. We had volunteers from all three MBA programs as well as undergraduate liaisons, a robust applicant pool from which to select the 2012 REFS committee, and strong interest from prospective students to get involved. The Rice Energy Finance
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Summit exemplifies the thought and action leadership at the Jones School. Communication was a central component in leading REFS. There were dozens of different constituent groups that contributed to REFS, and effective communication was a determining factor in securing and facilitating their participation. Under our direction REFS hit record attendance (selling out at 460 guests), attained the highest level of sponsorship, and garnered the support and participation from the entire school.”
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I SAW A HUGE OPPORTUNITY
TO TAKE REFS TO ANOTHER LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. LEADING
A
CROSS-FUNCTIONAL
TEAM
IN
ORGANIZING
AND
MANAGING ALL ASPECTS OF A FLAGSHIP ENERGY CONFERENCE INFLUENCED THE WAY I COMMUNICATE WITH OTHERS.
RICE ENERGY FINANCE SUMMIT (REFS) The Rice Energy Finance Summit is an annual studentrun conference at the Jones School that features industry thought leaders to discuss pertinent energy issues. Previous conferences addressed the economic, financial, geopolitical, and strategic implications of unconventional resource plays. Topics included: Balancing Risks and Opportunities in Times of Recovery; Dynamic Industry: Challenges for the Future; and The New Economics of Energy Security.
Each year a team of MBA candidates from the Jones School is selected to organize the Rice Energy Finance Summit. The team works together for 10 months to create and deliver the school’s flagship event, applying key business management fundamentals in the process. For Erica and the trajectory of her career, REFS solidified her commitment to energy and finance and the Jones School’s mission of thought leadership.
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I WORKED ON THE LIFEPACK TEAM.
OUR PRODUCT WAS A BACKPACK
CONTAINING BASIC MEDICAL SUPPLIES DESIGNED FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS WHO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE TO CITIZENS IN RURAL AREAS. THE PACK CONTENTS COULD BE CUSTOMIZED FOR A DOCTOR, NURSE, OR LOCAL HEALTH WORKER, AND INCLUDED SUPPLIES RANGING FROM GENERAL MEDICAL CARE (THERMOMETERS, MALARIA TESTS AND MEDICATION) TO EMERGENCY CARE (NEWBORN DELIVERIES).
A CLASS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Technology Commercialization in Developing Countries is a unique global health technology commercialization class taught by Marc Epstein, distinguished research professor of management. The class offers students an opportunity to apply their business school knowledge, learn about business in developing countries, contribute to the alleviation of poverty, and have a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa.
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Using a commerce model and the education and skills of second-year MBAs, students develop commercialization plans for four technologies created by Rice engineering undergraduates. The students work in teams and travel during fall break to truly understand the challenges of finding effective ways to manufacture, distribute, and market products.
mbadna.com/Beyond
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PROFILE
LAMECIA BUTLER PERSONAL ELEMENTS ¥¥ Hometown: Houston, Texas ¥¥ Personal Mantra: “Faith. Focus. Finish.” ¥¥ Rice University, MBA ’12 ¥¥ Post-MBA Job: Farber Fellow, Roberts Enterprise Development Fund (REDF)
INTERNSHIP: MBA MARKETING INTERN, AMERICAN EXPRESS
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO B.A. COMMUNICATIONS ‘04
VICE PRESIDENT, BLACK BUSINESS STUDENT ASSOCIATION (BBSA) PRE-MBA JOB: PRESIDENT FOUR:13
VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING BOARD FELLOWS
was drawn to the Technology Commercialization L aMecia course after traveling to South America during an
international trip the previous spring. “I saw first-hand how people were in need of low-tech, high quality solutions. This course offered the perfect opportunity to leverage my MBA training to make a difference on a global scale. The course material, classroom and speaker discussions, and of course the on-the-ground experience we had in Rwanda exceeded my expectations.”
While in Rwanda, LaMecia discovered that one tiny moment, no matter how insignificant it might seem, can make a difference in the world. “Our team was able to conduct a focus group with women who were the target end-user for our product. I’ll never forget the delight in their eyes and smiles on their faces as they viewed first-hand how much they weighed using the electronic scale included in our backpack.”
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IN MY TWO
YEARS AT RICE,
I PARTICIPATED IN SEVERAL
INTERNATIONAL TRIP OPPORTUNITIES AND TRAVELED TO ARGENTINA, BRAZIL, CHILE, CHINA, RWANDA, AND MEXICO WITH OTHER RICE MBA STUDENTS. AFTER TRAVELING TO FOUR DIFFERENT CONTINENTS WITH THE JONES SCHOOL, I HAVE GAINED A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE IN MY MBA AND HAD THE CHANCE TO NETWORK WITH PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
JE NNIFER N E E L E Y
Hom e t o wn : Be a u m o n t , T X Tex as A &M U n iv e r sit y, B .B .A . M ar ke t i n g ’ 0 6 Ri c e Un iv e r sit y, MBA ’12 P re-M B A Jo b: Te a c h e r, La ma r H i g h S c ho ol Int ernsh ip: Pe r f o r m a n c e I mp r ov e me nt I nt e r n, E r ns t an d Yo u n g Pos t-MB A Jo b: Pe r f o r ma nce I mp r ove me nt S e ni or Co nsu l t a n t , E r n s t a n d Yo u n g
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Graphic
INTERNATIONAL TRIPS Every year students from the Rice MBA programs may choose to embark on several international trips, arranged during winter and spring breaks. In keeping with the Jones School’s mission of developing principled, innovative thought leaders in global communities, trips to China, Mexico, Latin America, South America and India remain strategic destinations. Itineraries include visits to corporate offices, U.S. embassies, and plant sites, as well as alumni and prospective student events. Students make business contacts and learn firsthand about the economic situations in the host country as well as take classes at local business schools. Past trips have included Mexico City, Guadalajara, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Beijing, Shanghai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Dubai.
PASSPORT TO LEARNING – SOUTH AMERICA ITINERARY 2012 For students interested in working internationally, traveling with classmates during the MBA program is the perfect way to discover different parts of the world, visit international organizations, and study diverse cultures. ¥¥ Arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina. ¥¥ Free day: Group city tour of Buenos Aires, followed by dinner
out in the city and a Tango Show that evening.
¥¥ Classes at IAE Business School. ¥¥ Attend company visits at EMA and Globant, followed by a
meeting with the US Department of Commerce. Next stop: time to fly to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil tonight.
¥¥ Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ¥¥ Attend company visit at Baker Hughes and Vale, and then
free time to explore the city.
¥¥ Our last day includes a company visit to PWC and then a tour
to the Christ the Redeemer Statue.
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CHEVRON HAS A SOLID SOCIAL
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
THEREFORE, THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ANYWHERE I HAVE WORKED. WHEN I MOVE TO LUANDA, I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING INVOLVED IN THE NUMEROUS HEALTH-RELATED INITIATIVES THEY HAVE UNDERWAY.
has worked across the oil and gas value chain over M ichelle the last four years. “I started in the trading organization that supports the sale of refined products. Next I worked in North American exploration, specifically on Chevron’s acquisitions in the Marcellus shale gas play.” In her current role as a commercial analyst at Chevron in Trinidad and Tobago, she coordinates two major capital
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projects; one to further develop an existing offshore gas field and the other for a new field development. This summer she will be moving to Luanda, Angola for her next assignment with Chevron in a joint venture, Angola Liquefied Natural Gas. “This joint venture will market liquefied natural gas, or LNG, cargoes to buyers around the world. I’ll be working with people from the Angolan national oil and gas company (SONANGOL) as well as partners from European energy majors.”
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PROFILE
MICHELLE HOLIDAY PERSONAL ELEMENTS ¥¥ Hometown: Rocky Hill, CT ¥¥ George Washington University, B.B.A. ’02 ¥¥ Rice University, MBA ’08 ¥¥ Pre-MBA Job: Financial Center Manager, Regions Bank ¥¥ Internship: Energy Financial Services, General Electric ¥¥ Post-MBA Job: Commercial Analyst, Chevron
MICHELLE’S TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENT 1. Be open to learning the language of the country you are moving to. 2. Take advantage of travel opportunities in and around the country you are working. 3. Don’t focus on what you can’t find or get, be flexible and learn to enjoy new things.
4. Try and branch out and make friends from the country you are living and working in; they can truly enrich your experience overall. 5. Understanding cultural nuances can dramatically improve your working relationships.
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THE JONES SCHOOL CMC WAS CRITICAL
IN PROVIDING INFORMATION
AND SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE NSHMBA CONFERENCE. THIS WEEKEND EVENT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT WITH RECRUITERS EARLY IN THE YEAR. IT ALSO GAVE ME THE CHANCE TO NETWORK WITH A VARIETY OF ORGANIZATIONS FROM DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES ALL IN ONE PLACE. I WAS LUCKY TO INTERVIEW WITH SEVERAL COMPANIES, AND I RECEIVED OFFERS FROM GM AND INTEL, IN ADDITION TO FORD.
JAVIER C A SC U D O
Home t own : Ho u s t o n , Te x a s Roc hes t e r I n s t it u t e o f Te c h no l o g y, B .S .E.E . El e ct r i ca l E n gi n eer i n g ’ 0 2 Ri c e Univ e r sit y, MBA ’13 Pre-M B A Jo b: Ma n u f a c t u r i n g E ng i ne e r, S c h l u mb e r g e r Int erns h ip: Fin a n c ia l An al y s t I nt e r n, F o r d M o t o r Comp a ny
CAREER MANAGEMENT CENTER Globally ranked in the top 15 for career services, the Jones School’s Career Management Center (CMC) successfully partners with students and alumni to meet their professional development goals.* With relationships across the spectrum of Fortune 500 and professional services firms, the CMC is well poised to assist you with your professional development goals. The CMC delivers cutting edge professional development content beginning even before classes start in order to prepare for the summer internship. Upon acceptance to the MBA program, students are required to participate in a five-week online course in order to gain access to the Jones School’s on-campus recruiting systems. In this course, you will submit
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a resume and cover letter, compile company and industry research, and gain better networking skills, resulting in a complete portfolio of career and job search tools necessary for finding their desired internship and job after graduation. The Career Management Center also provides group workshops and meets individually with students to ensure they develop the strategy, job search skills, and networking opportunities that will help them succeed in the professional MBA job market. (Based on averages from The Economist, student and alumni surveys from 2008-2011.)
WHO EMPLOYS RICE MBAS 3M • AAA Capital Management • Accenture • American General Life Companies • AIM • Air Liquide • Alvarez & Marsal • AMD • Amegy Bank • American Airlines • American Express • Anadarko • Apache • Baker Hughes • Bank of America Merrill Lynch • Barclays • Baylor College of Medicine • BMC Software • BMO • Booz & Company • Boston Consulting Group • BP • Calpine • Cameron • CenterPoint Energy • ChaiONE • Chevron • Citi • City of Houston • Colgate-Palmolive • Con Agra • ConocoPhillips • Constellation Energy • CRBE • Credit Agricole • Credit Suisse • Dell • Deloitte • Deutsche Bank • Direct Energy • Dr Pepper Snapple Group • Education Pioneers • Emerson • Enite Consulting • Enterprise Products Partners L.P. • Entessa • Ernst & Young • Exterran • ExxonMobil • FDIC • Federal Reserve Bank of New York • Fluor Corporation • FMC Technologies • Ford Motor Company • General Electric • General Mills • Goldman Sachs • Gulf States Toyota • Halliburton • Hewlett-Packard • HFF • Hines • Houston Technology Center • IBM • Imperial Sugar • Infosys • Intel • Johnson & Johnson • J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. • Kalypso • KBR • Kimberly-Clark • Kirby Corporation • KPMG • Kraft Foods • Lazard • Logica • Lyondell Chemical Company • Marathon Oil Corporation • Match.com • McKinsey & Company • Morgan Stanley • Morningstar • Nabors Industries Ltd. • NASA Johnson Space Center • National Oilwell Varco • Newfield Exploration Company • Nike • NRG • Oceaneering International, Inc. • Oiltanking • PepsiCo • Pfizer • Phillips 66 • Plains All American • PricewaterhouseCoopers • Procter & Gamble • PROS • Rackspace • RBC • Repsol • RigNet • RJ Reynolds • Rockwater Energy • Sabre Holdings • Salient Partners • Samsung • Schlumberger • Scotia Capital • Scotia Waterous • Shell • Skanska • SK Energy • Starlight Investments • Stat Oil • Sysco • Target • TD Securities • Teacher Retirement System of Texas • Texas Instruments • The Methodist Hospital • Total Safety • Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. • TXU Energy • Tyco International • UBS • UHY • United Airlines • USAA • Vega Energy Partners • Walmart • Waste Management • Weingarten Realty Investors • Westney Consulting Group • Whole Foods • WIPRO • Wood Mackenzie
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WASTE
MANAGEMENT’S
COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION
AND ENVIRONMENTAL ST E WA R DS H I P REQUIRES ENGAGED, TALENTED EMPLOYEES. RICE M BAS ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THIS MISSION IN SEVERAL PARTS OF OUR BUSINESS, INCLUDING OUR F I N A N C E, ST R AT EG Y, I N V EST M E N T, SUSTAINABILITY, AND MARKETING TEAMS.
an established and accomplished professional with A smultiple degrees, Roy still felt there was room to expand
his reach by attending business school. “I decided to get my MBA to round out my leadership and financial skills and open new doors into the business community. I chose Rice for its strong reputation, Houston location, academic rigor and strong recruiting network. The school’s friendly environment sealed the deal.”
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A Fulbright Scholar, Rhodes Scholarship national finalist, and former in-house counsel to a South African investment fund, Roy took a position with Waste Management as senior strategy analyst after graduation. While at the Jones School, he was president of the Jones Student Association and a member of the honor council. Roy received the Jones Scholar Award, the Jones Citizenship Award, the M.A. “Mike” Wright Award and the Lorane T. Philips Award for Excellence in Writing.
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PROFILE
ROY JOHNSTON PERSONAL ELEMENTS ¥¥ Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa ¥¥ University of Johannesburg, South Africa, B Com ’98, LL B ’00 ¥¥ Tulane University, LL M ’03 ¥¥ Rice University, MBA ’10 ¥¥ Pre-MBA Job: Legal Counsel, Makalani Holdings Limited ¥¥ Internship: Venture Capital Group, OGG, Waste Management ¥¥ Post-MBA Job: Senior Strategy Analyst, Waste Management
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HOUSTON Houston is a vibrant, dynamic, diverse city full of opportunity. Rice students, faculty and staff can take advantage of all that the fourth-largest city in the U.S. has to offer — from attending premier performing arts events in the downtown theater district, eating at outstanding restaurants to cheering on the city’s professional sports teams. Best of all, many of these activities, including those in a bustling downtown and thriving Museum District, are easily accessible from the Rice campus. MBA students also tap into the assets, energy, ideas and technology of a thriving business community in Houston.
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According to an examination by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Houston offers the strongest purchasing power for living and doing business among an international list of 26 cities. The 2011 study says Houston offers the best value for the money, based on several key factors of doing business including cost, transportation, economic clout, ease of doing business, livability and intellectual capital and innovation.
1st
Value Internationally
3rd
Fortune 500 Co. Headquarters
4th Largest City in U.S.
FROM RICE CAMPUS
¥¥ 3.2 miles to downtown Houston
¥¥ 1 block to medical center
¥¥ 46 miles to Galveston Island beaches
¥¥ 2 blocks to museum district
¥¥ 320 miles to Mardi Gras in New Orleans
¥¥ 2.4 miles to the Houston Rodeo and Livestock Show
at Reliant Stadium
HOUSTON STATISTICS ¥¥ More than 200 institutions are devoted to the arts, science
and history in Houston.
¥¥ Foreign governments have established 94 consular offices
in metropolitan Houston, ranking the city third behind New York and Los Angeles.
¥¥ Sports fans cheer for a variety of professional, semi-pro
and collegiate sports teams, including Texans football, Astros baseball, Rockets basketball, Dynamo soccer and Aeros hockey.
¥¥ Harris County and City of Houston parks total more than
65,076 acres. The Houston area offers over 145 public and private golf courses.
¥¥ The City of Houston Bikeway Program is a 345-mile bikeway
network spanning across the city and providing access to 500,000 square miles throughout Houston. City parks offer 95 more miles of hike and bike and nature trails.
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10
Top
10
Top
Graduate Program in Entrepreneurship 2009-2011 Princeton Review Entrepreneurship Magazine
Best Professors 2011 and 2012 Princeton Review
READY TO DISCOVER YOUR MBA DNA? At the Jones School there is no blueprint for admission. There is only a diverse group of students who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership ability, interpersonal skills and the motivation to work hard. Grounded in strong ethics and a global perspective, the Rice MBA is about to transform your world, your career, your future. If you’re ready to discover your MBA DNA, come tell us what makes you who you are. Here’s a place to begin — and let us know how we can help.
DATES TO REMEMBER — CLASS OF 2015 APPLICATION DEADLINES October 29, 2012 January 7, 2013 February 25, 2013 April 8, 2013
DECISION DATES December 7, 2012 March 1, 2013 April 5, 2013 May 10, 2013
FINANCIAL INFORMATION Rice MBA program tuition for the academic year 2012-2013 was $46,500. We estimate other first-year costs such as fees, insurance, books, rent, and miscellaneous expenses to be approximately $30,000. The Jones School offers scholarships which are determined on the basis of academic merit. Please note that consideration for merit-based scholarships are based on the strength of the entire application package including, but not limited to, GMAT score, undergraduate transcripts, work experience, leadership potential and team skills. There is not a separate application process for scholarship awards. All applications are reviewed for merit-based scholarship awards at the time of admission and any award will be noted in your admission letter.
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20
25th
Top
Full-time MBA, U.S., 2012 Financial Times
Best Graduate Schools, Schools of Business, 2013 U.S. News and World Report
To schedule a campus visit or for any additional information: Office of Admissions Jones Graduate School of Business Rice University McNair Hall – MS 531 6100 Main Street Houston, Texas 77005 Toll free: 888-844-4773 Local: 713-348-4918 Fax: 713-348-6147 Email: ricemba@rice.edu Online: business.rice.edu
CLASS OF 2014 PROFILE
(as of May 31, 2012)
¥¥ Number of Students: 125 ¥¥ Average Work Experience: 5 years ¥¥ Average Age: 28 ¥¥ Average GPA: 3.4 ¥¥ Average GMAT: 674 ¥¥ International Citizenship: 30% ¥¥ Number of Countries Represented: 13 ¥¥ Women: 30% ¥¥ Underrepresented Minorities: 12%
BY THE NUMBERS ¥¥ 60 credits to graduate ¥¥ 104 electives offered ¥¥ 31 student clubs