In November 2024, Sandra Alistair ’20 stood among fellow alumni in Bengaluru as Rice University formally announced Rice Global India. For Alistair, who earned her Master of Business Administration from the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business, the moment felt both personal and strategic.
Drawn to Rice by its small class sizes and close-knit learning environment, she said she wanted “a bit more of an intimate learning experience” and “didn’t want to get lost in a crowd somewhere.”
“My time at Rice was a transformative experience,” Alistair said. “Studying in another country and hearing so many different perspectives — that was powerful. The curriculum mattered, of course, but I learned just as much from my classmates. I’m still in touch with many of them.”
She had several years of work experience when she enrolled, bringing years of technical experience to Houston with her. The MBA helped her pivot into broader business leadership roles, first in the United States and later back home in India.
“The MBA gave my career a real boost,” Alistair said. “I was in a technical role and looking to pivot. It helped me build the business and marketing perspective I needed.”
As Rice Global India builds its presence, Alistair believes clarity of identity will be key in a competitive education market.
“For me, it’s about the brand,” Alistair said. “India has an enormous population and many educational institutions. The question is: What differentiates Rice? What does the Rice brand stand for? Why choose Rice? Being able to articulate that clearly is critical.”
Growth, she emphasized, should never come at the expense of identity.
“If we want to scale, we should,” Alistair said. “But we have to be very careful not to dilute the brand. Keep the positioning strong.”
For Alistair, Rice Global India represents an opportunity not just to expand, but to define itself deliberately in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.
Learn more about Rice Global India here.