June 23, 2025

What should I be doing now?

Review the Professional MBA Class of 2027 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.
Media Waiver
Complete the media waiver required of all students. Click here to access the Media Waiver.
If you have not already done so, complete your Onboarding Survey.
ALL students are required to either waive the health insurance offered by Rice or purchase the Rice Health Insurance Plan. Available to register starting July 1.

Welcome from the Rice Business Student Association for Professionals

Dear Class of 2027,

On behalf of the Rice Business Student Association for Professionals (RBSAP), congratulations and welcome to Rice University! It is our pleasure to serve as Co-Presidents, and we are delighted that you have chosen to join our community. As you navigate your first year as an MBA student, we would like to introduce you to some key resources and offer advice to help you succeed.

RBSAP is a student-run org that serves as the liaisons between the PMBA student body and Rice Business. Apart from putting on our annual formal events, volunteer events and Post Class Fun (PCFs) for the next year (join the WhatsApp group to tune in now: https://chat.whatsapp.com/G5RNZPuGUKnKn2VMBBDQNw), we have the duty of working with our faculty and staff to ensure the best possible experience for our students. Throughout the next year, we are here for you – and we are committed to working hard to drive continuous improvement to the Professional MBA program. In the fall, we will begin recruiting for First Year Reps, so please get in touch with us if you are interested in running to represent your class!

One significant benefit of the MBA program at Rice Business is access to our Career Development Office (CDO). Whether you are looking to pivot your career or aim for a promotion within your industry, the CDO advisors are eager to assist you. We encourage you to use them to develop your resume, get some practice with mock interviews, and even discuss salary negotiations.

Rice Business hosts over 40 networking and special interest events annually, organized by student leaders and clubs. Details of these events are available on the CampusGroups website. Many of these groups will need first-year representatives. Leadership positions like these provide valuable experience and are highly rewarding. This includes RBSAP! If you would like to serve as an advocate for your class, handle some negotiations, and really dive into shaping the experience of you and your peers, please consider applying. More information on that to come.

Starting a new chapter in your academic and professional life can be both exciting and challenging. Here are a few pieces of advice to help you over the upcoming school year:

Stay Organized and Resilient: Balancing coursework, work commitments, and personal life can be demanding. Communicate early and often with family, employers, and your team.

Maximize Classroom Time and Seek Support: Put away your cell phones, keep your laptops down unless needed, and take full advantage of the time in the classroom. Engaging actively in discussions and lectures will enhance your learning experience.

Rice Business is more than just a program—it’s a supportive community. Your second-year MBA peers, who understand the challenges and dedication required, are here to support you. Our highly accomplished and distinguished professors are committed to helping you understand the complexities of business and preparing you to address the world’s most pressing challenges.

Congratulations again on your admission to Rice Business! We encourage you to fully engage with our community and take advantage of every opportunity. We look forward to seeing the unique contributions you will make, learning from your experiences, and celebrating your successes.

Best Regards,

Gwen Jones

Co-President Evenings, RBSAP

Isabella Torres

Co-President Weekends, RBSAP

Join our WhatsApp Group!

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 Office

💻 Career Course Reminder
Quick reminder: You should have access to the CDO Async Career Toolkit on Canvas. It’s required before Launch if you are a PMBA student and intend on seeking an internship in your first year. For all others, it is not required, but highly suggested even if you do not plan on recruiting as a student. The content will help you assess where you are in your career and also cover internal growth at your current company/industry and how to make the most of your time as a working professional student.

Need help? Email cdo@rice.edu.