What Should I Be Doing Now?
Review the Onboarding Checklist to confirm that you are on track in submitting administrative items to help us prepare for your first day. You can access the Onboarding Checklist in your applicant portal at apply.business.rice.edu/account/login and click the onboarding tab at the top.
Featured checklist items:
Clear holds in ESTHER
Login to ESTHER and begin clearing the required holds that will prevent your registration for courses. Instructions to clear holds are available here
Onboarding and Media Survey
Health Insurance Waiver
Welcome from the Rice Business Student Association
Class of 2027,
On behalf of the EMBA C/O 2026, let us be among the first to welcome you to Rice Business! This is an exciting new chapter in your life, one that promises to be as professionally rewarding as it will be personally memorable. In these next few weeks and months, you will be inundated with information, and it might feel overwhelming for many. Please know this is to be expected and you are not doing this alone. The Rice Business community is built on camaraderie and collaboration. When you start feeling overwhelmed, reach out and connect with your peers (you will learn to commiserate together!), faculty, and professors. They are all there to support you. You also have the entirety of the class of 2026 on your side, who not too long ago felt the same sense of being simultaneously overwhelmed and excited at the start of our MBA journey. Together, we will address any challenges, answer any and all questions, and ensure you feel welcome in your new Rice family.
There is a lot to learn, but for now it is best to just focus on establishing a solid foundation with your cohort, taking lots of notes, and embracing the chaos. Your schedules will feel stretched so thin at first and you will question how you will have the time to do this. We PROMISE, you do. Learning to adjust is so much easier once you start to realize that everybody is experiencing similar growing pains. We encourage you all to get out and have fun together! Ask about how others are adjusting, commiserate together, and take comfort in knowing that many EMBAs before you felt the exact same way - and we would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
If you have not already, we encourage you to set up a What’s App group to get the cohort conversation started. During the forum week we will also ensure that you are all invited to our joint EMBA 26/27 What’s App group. Here you will have a direct line to us day or night if you ever need anything. This will also be a great way to network with each other. We are so excited to witness your growth, learn from your unique experiences, and celebrate your accomplishments together. Your journey starts now, and it goes by so quickly! Enjoy every moment. See you in the Fall!
Sincerely,
Leigh Noblin and Mohamed Elsayed
Rice Business Student Association for Executives (RBSAE) Representatives
EMBA 2026 Class Co-Chairs
Student Club Highlights: Get Involved from Day One!
Discover how Rice Business students connect, lead, and grow through vibrant clubs spanning career, cultural, and social interests. From consulting prep to culinary nights, there’s a club for every passion—get involved before classes even begin!
Rice Business Enterprise Acquisition Club
The Enterprise Acquisition Club is kicking off the summer with an EAC 101 session in July for anyone curious about the space. We’ll also be hosting speaker sessions after Launch Week featuring searchers, operators, and investors. In addition, we’re expanding our partnerships with searchers and capital providers to support students pursuing an entrepreneurship through acquisition path. Save the date: the 2025 Rice ETA Conference will take place on October 31st, bringing together searchers, investors, operators, and thought leaders from across the country.
-Tranell Montague, 2025-2026 President
Strategy Association
The Strategy Association is excited to welcome the incoming class! This year, we’ll be hosting meetups to help you connect with second-years, prepare for recruiting, and explore different career paths in strategy. Many of our events focus on networking with alumni to gain insights and advice from those in strategy-focused roles across industries. We’re looking forward to meeting you and helping you kick off your journey at Rice!
- Ryan Thompson, 2025-2026 Co-President
Meet the APSE Team
(Office of Academic Programs and Student Experience)
Zhanar Imanbaeva
Associate Director, Registration and Student Records
Learn more about Zhanar
Kerry Lawrynovicz
Registration and Student Records Specialist
Learn more about Kerry
In your first semester, the Registration and Student Records team will register you for all of your courses. The only thing you’ll need to do is clear your registration holds!
💼 Career Development That Fits Your Executive Path
The Career Development Office is here to support you throughout your Executive MBA journey—and beyond. Whether you’re updating your resume, navigating a career pivot, or looking for personalized coaching, we’re your partner every step of the way. Learn more here.
Do you have a question or need to reach us over the summer? Contact onboarding@rice.edu
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