Hello, EMBA Class of 2023!
 

Welcome to the Executive MBA program at Rice Business!
 

As you can imagine, year one of our EMBA journey was quite different from what any of us ever expected. Last years’ experience gave us a unique perspective on the Rice EMBA program. We are enthusiastic about sharing this and also discovering with your cohort aspects of the program we might have missed during the height of the pandemic—starting with our first Residency Forum. The unwavering commitment from the university, faculty, and administration has emphasized the community aspect of Rice University. In reflecting upon a transformative year, we want to share this advice with you about what lies ahead:

Demands on your schedule are going to level up for the next two years, most intensely during your first semester. Time will become your most precious asset, so one of the best things you can do now in anticipation of starting this MBA program is to enjoy the rest of the summer after you complete SPO’s onboarding checklist.

The most successful approach to managing the EMBA grind is tackling the semester two weeks at a time. There is no real benefit to getting ahead of the course calendar. Focus instead on keeping up individually and staying on track as a team. The workload for each class weekend varies dramatically, so take advantage of comparatively “light” off-weeks to recharge and devote extra attention to your life outside of campus.
 

Find opportunities to engage with each person in your 2023 cohort. Getting to know everyone in your class will be one of the most rewarding aspects of your first year at Rice. Think, eat and drink together – your interactions with your classmates will enrich the entire MBA experience, and these individuals will become a lifeline for a lifetime.
 

Engage with as many of your fellow EMBA students from the Class of 2022. We have just experienced what you will be going through and we are happy to help you navigate the larger Rice University MBA community.

Please reach out to us any time with questions! The entire EMBA Class of 2022 and the Jones Student Association for Executives look forward to meeting you very soon.

Sincerely,

Luis Rodriguez and Keri Sprung

What should I be doing now?

• Look over the onboarding checklist (there are 3 things for you to do this week). You will need to complete each item through your Canvas page.
  • Tip: Do not check off an item on your checklist before completion. If it is not finished, a Canvas administrator will mark it incomplete, and can result in a hold on your account.
• Please begin working on your Pre-MBA Quantitative Courses through Coursera. Attached to this scoop are two documents that will show you how to login, and what you can expect from the courses.