The Rice Business School at has secured the No. 1 ranking in graduate entrepreneurship education for the seventh year in a row, as named by The Princeton Review in partnership with Entrepreneur magazine. This sustained leadership reflects the school’s enduring commitment to innovation, venture creation and the cultivation of an entrepreneurial environment to build talent.
Rice Business’ Back honored with international teaching award
The Financial Management Association International (FMA) has selected Rice Business professor Kerry Back as the recipient of its Innovation in Teaching Award. The honor recognizes outstanding teaching techniques in finance, emphasizing innovation, broad transferability and measurable impact on students, institutions and the profession.
Virani Undergraduate School of Business provides opportunities for future leaders
The Virani Undergraduate School of Business at Rice celebrated its one-year anniversary on October 29, with coffee and breakfast for its students as they made their way to class. The undergraduate program is named after Houston business and community leaders Farid and Asha Virani ’89 thanks to their historic gift in 2024.
Bhalani, Eldridge to receive Builders Award
Rushi Bhalani ’19 and Will Eldridge ’16 ’17 will be recognized with the Builders Award Nov. 7 during the President’s Town Hall, a signature event of Rice’s Alumni Weekend. The Builders Award is given to graduates of the past 10 years who go above and beyond in service to Rice.
Rice Business’ Sparking Success Conference takes place Oct. 31
The 10th annual Sparking Success Conference is set for Oct. 31, when attendees can experience a forum full of industry professionals, leaders and experts to network and learn important skills in the ever-changing world of business.
Rice Business’ Rodriguez named Poets&Quants Dean of the Year
Peter Rodriguez, the Houston Endowment Dean of the Jones Graduate School of Business and the Virani Undergraduate School of Business at Rice, has been named the 2025 Poets&Quants Dean of the Year, a national honor recognizing visionary leadership and outstanding contributions to business education.
Finance, computer expert Malamud to present lecture series at Rice Business
Semyon Malamud, senior chair at the Swiss Finance Institute and associate professor of finance at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, will host a series of lectures at Rice Business as part of the Dean’s Distinguished Visiting Fellows Program.
Future of business strategy must be customer-focused, Rice Business expert says
At Rice Business, the Center for Customer-Based Execution and Strategy — better known as C-CUBES — helps scholars excel in rigorous, peer-reviewed research focused on customer-based strategy.
‘Forever grateful’ Rice alumnus steps in line for top chair with Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Rice alumnus Wesley Sinor ’97, who graduated with a master’s degree from the Jones School of Business, has been flagged as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's chairman-elect.
Rice Business student opens smoothie, acai shop in downtown Houston
A new concept shop in downtown Houston features healthy smoothies, acai bowls, parfaits and more — and it’s owned and operated by a Rice sophomore.
AI tools aren’t a creativity machine on their own, Rice expert says
Can generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools that create text, images and other content truly enhance employee creativity? A new paper published in the Journal of Applied Psychology and co-authored by Jing Zhou, Rice’s Mary Gibbs Jones Professor of Management, finds that generative AI doesn’t enhance creativity equally for everyone. Instead, its impact depends on how well people manage their own thinking while using it.
Rice Business trains leaders on campus and on-site with executive programs
Rice Business Executive Education offers custom-made programs for companies that want to strengthen leadership, enhance culture or address specific management challenges or organizational opportunities. Phillips 66 leaders approached the Executive Education team to develop a custom program focused on leadership, strategy, change management and financial decision-making.
Bob Dittmar named associate dean of Rice’s Virani Undergraduate School of Business
Rice Business is pleased to announce that Bob Dittmar, the Houston Endowment Professor of Finance, has been appointed associate dean of the Virani Undergraduate School of Business, effective July 1.
‘Creating new knowledge:’ Rice congratulates more than 250 doctoral graduates
Rice conferred more than 250 doctoral degrees during its 112th commencement May 10 at Tudor Fieldhouse. Doctoral candidates along with friends, family and loved ones gathered for the ceremony, which included the awarding of doctoral regalia, congratulatory remarks, cheers and a few moments to reflect on this milestone.
‘It’s never the right time until you make it the right time’: MBA graduates take flight
Denise Buckley raised her children and watched one of her daughters, Brianna, graduate from Rice Business in 2022 with her Master of Business Administration. This year, it was Denise’s turn.
