Podcasts about Alumnus

As a seasoned entrepreneur, investor and mentor, Ben Mayberry '76 has seen a lot of change in the Houston business sector over the last 50 years.Beginning his career in the technology sector, Ben went on to co-found companies like BSG and Winston Sage, and has been deeply involved in the Rice Business community through mentorship and recruiting. Ben has also served as the president of the Rice Alumni Association and has been a judge in the Rice Business Plan Competition for two decades. Ben joins Owl Have You Know co-host Brian Jackson ‘21 to discuss his incredible career journey, commitment to Rice, involvement in the Houston Angel Network, approach to mentoring entrepreneurs, and the many lessons he's learned over the course of his 50-year career. Episode Guide:00:00 Introduction to Ben Mayberry01:07 Early Career and Entrepreneurial Spirit02:42 Building and Managing Teams05:46 Mentorship and Advice07:36 Winston Sage Partners and Business Ethics09:43 Houston Angel Network14:33 Rice Business School Involvement22:32 Life Lessons and Final ThoughtsOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Why Ben thinks Houston is the easiest place to do business26:29: There's not one pivot point in my career I can point to, other than deciding to work for myself at some point. Then the decision points along the way that I've made. And, fortunately, I never made a decision that was so devastating that it, you know, shut me down. The most fun job I think I had of all was when we decided to open our other offices at BSG, and I was in charge of opening our remote offices. I just learned a lot about how you do business around the country. I learned how to negotiate with New Yorkers, people in Atlanta, Dallas, et cetera. The most important thing I've found is Houston is the easiest place to do business. 28:08: In Houston, people are generally welcoming to people that come from somewhere else because it's been a melting pot for so long.Why meeting in person matters for entrepreneurs28:52: If you want to get together with other entrepreneurs and bounce ideas off of them, or even build teamwork within your group, I think two things. Number one, within a company, it's important to have functions where you get together occasionally. We used to have quarterly meetings where we'd bring everybody into a central location, and it's not inexpensive. And once a quarter, we're also bringing the leadership from various places and having a strategy session all together. And certainly, you can do it by Zoom, but there's nothing like getting together, going out, and having a few drinks that night or dinner or whatever. Now, for someone like you, who—you're in Houston and nobody else is—you need to make a list of people you're going to have lunch with every day. Don't have lunch in your office. Go out three or four times a week and have lunch with somebody that's different and new.Why listening matters for entrepreneurs seeking success07:23: Each entrepreneur is, especially if they're in a startup, unique. They have some traits in common. They're generally stubborn. They don't listen as well as they should, and so you have to figure out if they're willing to listen at all. If not, you move on. If they're willing to listen, then you're able to give them advice, and it's based on—do they like—and a CEO doesn't have it all. They may be technical, they may be good at sales, they may be good at marketing, but they're rarely good at all of those. So you've got to figure out where their weakness is and attack that, and help them understand that's really where they need help.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Ben Mayberry | Rice Business

In this episode of the Birds Up Podcast, we welcome UTSA Alumnus Jesse Vargas, Chief Operating Officer of the San Antonio Zoo. Jesse takes us on a journey through his remarkable career—from his first job as a lifeguard at Fiesta Texas to leading some of the world's most iconic attractions, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Atlantis Dubai. His career has spanned the globe, taking him from San Antonio to Mexico, Spain, the UAE, and beyond.Jesse shares how his experiences at UTSA, where he earned his degree in Business Administration, laid the groundwork for a career built on leadership, innovation, and community impact. Now back in his hometown, Jesse is helping write the next chapter for the San Antonio Zoo—overseeing a $250 million transformation that will make the zoo a must-see destination for visitors from around the world.In this inspiring conversation, Jesse reflects on the lessons he's learned along the way, the importance of mentorship and giving back, and why embracing adventure, adaptability, and authenticity are key to leadership success. Whether you're a young professional, a leader in the making, or someone who simply loves a good story of resilience and reinvention, this episode is a must-listen.------------------------------Show Notes:San Antonio Zoo UTSA Alumni GalaUTSA Alumni UTSA AthleticsUTSA Alumni Online Store   Thanks for tuning in! Don't forget to like, follow, and subscribe for more great content! Birds Up!

In this week's episode of Tiger Talk, join Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they delve into everything students, families, and the community need to know about Northeast Mississippi Community College's 2025 Commencement Ceremonies, from ceremony times and parking tips, to special honors, and the atmosphere of celebration that fills campus this time of year. Join Calvery and Ford as they talk about what makes graduation unique, how the college is honoring its graduates, and the many ways Northeast is bringing the community together to recognize student achievement. Plus, stay updated on the latest in athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's premier community colleges. For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

With a Ph.D. in computational and applied mathematics from Rice, Summer Husband '02 has been at the forefront of AI and data innovation for years. From transforming how the U.S. Navy uses machine learning to now leading data products and applied intelligence at Worley, her career bridges complex tech and real-world impact.Following her workshop, Unleashing Your Inner Cyborg, at this year's Women in Leadership Conference, Summer joined Owl Have You Know co-host Brian Jackson '21 to discuss the evolution of AI, the power of pairing machine learning with human judgment, and the ethical guardrails she believes are essential in today's data-driven world.Episode Guide:00:12 Meet Summer Husband: AI and Data Expert01:00 Women in Leadership Conference Insights01:52 Ethics and Rapid Advancements in AI04:01 Upskilling and AI Deployment in Business04:53 AI as a Sales Response Generator06:47 Summer's Career Journey and AI Evolution13:05 AI's Impact on Human Roles and Ethics16:20 Future of AI and Human Intuition22:59 Empowering Women in Tech and Leadership26:06 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:The power of being surrounded by empowered women22:32: It's really powerful for women to be around other very capable and talented women. I didn't realize what an impact that had. I've loved all the organizations that I've worked for. My first job, there was only one other woman on the technical side. I didn't think that impacted me. But my next organization had a lot of women in executive leadership, and I suddenly started to feel like taking a more senior role was a possibility. 23:04: I never would've connected those dots, but I really appreciate Rice opening up the opportunity for women to hear from other women. 23:26: It's just a little different when it's mostly women in the room, and you feel safe to ask some questions that you just don't feel safe to ask in some other spaces. That's just kind of the way that goes. So, I appreciate the opportunity.On navigating AI ethics without a roadmapThe technology is just changing really quickly, which makes this a very exciting space to be in, but it makes it really challenging around ethics. One of the other, I think, challenges in this space is, because it's fairly new, it's changing rapidly, so the technology is changing rapidly. The legal landscape is changing really rapidly, also. So, some of the partners that we tend to go to for playbooks in these spaces don't have a fully baked playbook in this space. A lot of organizations are needing to define and figure out their approach to ethics and AI together. So, at Worley, we're approaching that with a pretty comprehensive approach that includes our AI experts, of course, our legal experts. We want to ensure that we've got our operations involved in that. They're the ones that are, boots on the ground and are going to be using these tools. We've had to cast a pretty wide net, but we've had to do a lot of discovering and shaping for ourselves.The challenge of deploying AI thoughtfully03:05: There definitely are some roadblocks in keeping pace. And the risk and the ethical concerns is one of those. But I would say, also, having the right skill set in your workforce and upskilling your workforce — that's a challenge. There's a real opportunity for people who know their business very well and do the work to learn how to deploy AI in their field, in their area. It's that combination of skills. I think there are a lot of very smart people doing very smart things to build really amazing technology. What I think a lot of businesses have challenges with and where we face a bit of a roadblock is, how do you deploy those tools well in a breadth of different businesses?Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Summer Husband | Rice University

In this week's episode of Tiger Talk, join Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they turn the best part of the week into a full-length update on all things Northeast. Ford shares important updates on the final week of seated classes, upcoming final exams, and special events like Take A Break Tuesday and Food with the First Lady. Plus, hear the latest on athletics and a roundup of everything happening on and around campus. For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

In this inspiring episode of Birds Up Podcast, we sit down with UTSA alumnus Jon Gary Herrera, the newly appointed President & CEO of VIA Metropolitan Transit—and the first Latino to hold the position in the agency's 46-year history.Jon Gary shares how his San Antonio roots, years in strategic communications, and deep commitment to public service shaped his journey from private sector leader to public servant. We explore his time at UTSA, his unforgettable reign as Rey Feo LXVII, and how those experiences continue to fuel his mission to expand equitable, accessible, and innovative transit options across Bexar County.We dive into what's ahead for VIA, including the groundbreaking VIA Rapid Green Line, expanding on-demand transit zones, and the Better Bus Plan that aims to move San Antonio into a smarter, more connected future.This episode is full of heart, humor, and powerful insights on leadership, legacy, and what it means to build community from the ground up.Tune in and take the ride!Show Notes:VIA TransitMore information about VIA Link, including the Little Runner: https://www.viainfo.net/link/More information on U-Pass, a special rider program available through partnerships with colleges and universities that provides unlimited bus rides: https://www.viainfo.net/upass/UTSA Express Route Schedule: https://www.viainfo.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Schedule093.pdfMore information about the VIA Rapid Green Line: https://keepsamoving.com/projects/via-rapid/via-rapid-green-line/More information about open positions at VIA: https://www.viainfo.net/employment/UTSA / UTSA AlumniUTSA 50th Fiesta Arts FairUTSA Alumni Fiesta MedalUTSA Alumni Fiesta ShirtUTSA Alumni UTSA AthleticsUTSA Alumni Online Store  Thanks for tuning in! Don't forget to like, follow, and subscribe for more great content! Birds Up!

What's worse than failing in your career? For Michelle Lewis '05, it's not trying at all.That fearless mindset propelled her from a fine arts degree to a global career as a C-suite leader, board director, and private equity principal. Over the years, Michelle has helped drive $10 billion in acquisitions across 30 countries and guided companies through complex strategic transitions in the energy and industrial sectors.At the Women in Leadership Conference, she sat down with Owl Have You Know co-host Brian Jackson '21 to talk about her journey — from the arts to executive leadership, why soft skills matter more than you think, and how failing fast and smart can shape a resilient career.Michelle also shares one of her favorite tips as a self-proclaimed uber-organizer, and what it's like balancing board service, entrepreneurship and motherhood.Episode Guide:00:10 Meet Michelle Lewis00:55 Insights from the Women in Leadership Conference01:42 The Role of Luck and Hard Work in Career Success05:15 Mentorship and Leadership06:42 Pathway to Board Membership11:23 From Fine Arts to Private Equity22:06 The Importance of Soft Skills26:07 Tips for Balancing Career and Family28:25 Final Thoughts and TakeawaysOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Failing is learning not losing17:25: I've never been afraid to just try something new. I mean, because what can happen, right? You can fail. And what happens when you fail? You learn. You learn more than when you're successful. You know, I sell all the veggies, and great, I got, you know, some points in my pocket, but if I don't sell them, I have to try a new way the next day. Right? Yeah. So, I mean, there are a lot of my mentors who I attribute that to, like there's another woman. Same thing in executive recruiting. All you do is just, like, pick up the phone and ask someone—it's an opportunity. Maybe they're interested, maybe they're not. Like, worst case, they say, "No thanks," right? But a lot of people are afraid to pick up the phone. I mean, you can meet some fascinating people. So, I've just always thought, like, there's no downside to trying. The downside is if I don't try. Not if I fail.What led Michelle to where she is today02:05: I think I've been in a fortunate position to, wherever I am, to be working really hard and trying to do a good job and be a good person, and, and then, through that, have found that other people have come to me and said, "I see something in you that maybe you don't even see in yourself, and we think you can do X," which might be completely different to what I was doing at the time. And, and that's typically been the case throughout my entire career. So, the majority of my career, I was just going along to get along, and then someone else came along and said, "We're going to move you over here"—either a different industry, a different city, a different function. All really through someone else's vision.How mentorship shaped Michelle's approach to leadership06:00: One of the things I think that I learned, and that I do as well, is just conversations where I'm asking a lot of questions, not necessarily telling them what the answers are, and it's the same thing in a board and advisory role, right? I'm not there to tell the CEO what to do. I mean, if I'm telling the CEO what to do, we don't need that CEO. I'm there to ask questions. So, it's the same thing that my mentors did for me: asking questions that may highlight there are different ways, different paths, different answers for me to consider. That's the same thing that I'm doing when I'm in an advisory role or a board role.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Michelle Lewis on LinkedIn

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they highlight some of the recent achievements that Ford is especially proud of. In this unique episode, Ford takes the opportunity to brag on the college, sharing his pride in the students, employees, and community members who so positively represent Northeast. Ford discusses the newly established Northeast Way award and other milestones that contribute to the college's reputation as one of the premier community colleges in the nation. For nearly 12 minutes, Ford reflects on the many successes Northeast has seen in recent years, saying he could “brag on the college all day long.” Ford expresses heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helps make Northeast a shining light in the community. While he'll return next week with the usual updates and Northeast news, this episode is all about celebrating the greatness of Northeast Mississippi Community College. For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they discuss how the college president stays connected with students across multiple generations and understands what all of them need from Northeast. Ford talks about how he addresses the students and makes it a point to walk the campus and talk to employees and students and see how they are doing and what they need or just talk to them to get a feel of the campus. Ford also talks about having a great support system in place for the students. Plus, stay updated on the latest in athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's premier community colleges!  For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

"Preview: Colleague Richard Epstein, alumnus of Columbia University, laments the fall of the institution to prejudice and disorder. More later." 1900 HARVARD

This week, we're learning about the namesake of our newly renamed Michael W. Faircloth Fashion Design Program and getting the inside scoop on Admitted Students Day, coming to UNT April 19. Listen to our previous episode to hear about alumna Kari Hargrave's podcast and vote for it to win a Webby award.In this episode: Alumnus and fashion designer Michael W. Faircloth talks about how UNT shaped his career after graduating from the Fashion Design program that now bears his name. (1:22-10:35)We learn more about Admitted Students Day, a chance for admitted students to explore campus, make friends and learn what it means to be Mean Green. Email preview@unt.edu for more information. (10:38-23:48)Q&A: The hosts and students talk about what they'd like to have named after them on campus. Tell us your answers by emailing us at podcast@unt.edu or calling 940-565-4341. (23:55-26:45)Helpful links:Follow our Podcast⁠Transcripts⁠Join the ConversationEmail us at podcast@unt.eduCall us at 940-565-4341Connect with us using #HFNT on X @UNTSocial or on Instagram @UNT

In this special live episode of Owl Have You Know, James Weston, the senior associate dean for degree programs and Harmon Whittington Professor of Finance, reflects on his 25 years at Rice University.Join James and host Maya Pomroy '22 as they explore his journey from the Federal Reserve to Rice Business, the evolution of the school over the past two and a half decades, and his vision for the future of the university. They also dive deep into his groundbreaking research on racial disparities in auto loan pricing — a study that uncovered significant biases against minority borrowers. Plus, get the inside scoop on his experience running a bar in Rice Village.Episode Guide:01:20 James Weston's Career Journey04:25 Early Career and Mentorship08:56 Teaching Philosophy and Student Relationships13:52 Research on Auto Loans and Discrimination18:58 Linking Mortgage and Experian Data20:14 Evidence of Discrimination in Auto Lending22:48 Challenges in Passing Auto Lending Regulations24:00 The Realities of Owning and Operating a Bar30:24 Transition to Administration at Rice Business33:47 Reflections on a Diverse CareerOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:How Dean James pursues scientific rigor34:50: [James Weston] I sort of view the thing that ties together all my papers as a foundational social scientist trying to measure things that are hard to measure. And so when I see things that I think have a lot of social import or a research question that I think has either a practical application or some large social question that I think needs answering, the fun for me is trying to figure out how to measure it and trying to come up with a clever way of identifying the research question in a way that's unambiguous and in a way that we can solidify and say, like, that's the answer. And I know it with as near scientific certainty as I can — you know, the existence of the Higgs boson particle.35:19: [Maya Pomroy] We can't get into that right now. Yeah. 35:33: [James Weston] But, but you know, but I'm saying, like, to treat it like a scientist.35:36: [Maya Pomroy] Yes.35:37: [James Weston] And study it like it's a real causal question. Yeah. And you attack it with the scientific method, and you attack it with the scrutiny and the scientific rigor that they use across campus.On pushing for transparency in auto lending23:20: My hope is that the Senate Banking Committee continues to take action on it, and we see more—just something similar to the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, where auto dealers just have to report. They have a spreadsheet, and you just have to send it to the Fed the way every bank does with every mortgage application. And hopefully that transparency attenuates the discrimination the way it largely did in home mortgages. It took time. It was a 10-year process. It'll probably take that long on auto lending. And we're not the only voice in this choir. There's lots of other people now that are sort of jumping on the bandwagon.How Dean James views his new job role30:48: Moving into administration means, in my mind at least, it means I'm not working anymore. In the sense that I'm not executing the primary missions of the school, which are teaching and scholarship. And so I'm not teaching as much anymore, and I'm not doing as much scholarship anymore, which means I'd better be doing something to collect the paycheck. And the way I genuinely view it is that now I'm trying to enable the rest of my faculty to do better teaching and better scholarship. My role is as a service leader, which is how I view this job—as a tour of service, not a career pivot. I didn't take this job to then become dean someplace, to then become provost someplace, to then become Supreme Commander of University somewhere. But, like, it was someone else's turn to do this very important role, which is to coordinate all the programs, get the teaching schedules done, make sure I'm protecting junior faculty and their teaching loads, make sure I'm putting the right people into the right classes, making sure we're keeping track of it.Show Links: TranscriptThe Hidden Inequality in Auto-Lending | Rice Business WisdomGuest Profiles:James Weston | Rice University

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they discuss how the veteran educator and the college president tries to balance the needs of the students, employees and members of the community while also leading on of the nation's premier community colleges in the United States. Plus, stay updated on the latest in athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's premier community colleges! For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

Join the team as they dive into the complex world of event sports medicine with guest Dr Darren Green. The team talk about the complexity of setting up a medical facility for major sporting events while tackling the challenges of extreme weather, hydration, injuries and cardiac incidences. Dr Green explains how medical teams work with event organisers to ensure competitor safety and gives practical advice on how participants should look after themselves to ensure they don't end up in a medical tent. There's also a detailed discussion on the infamous 'Bum Clinic' used at the Absa Cape Epic so be warned that this podcast does include some graphic content.Dr Green heads up the corporate events department for Mediclinic Southern Africa, which entails oversight of all medical support to major events, setting up the pre-hospital and field hospital infrastructure with niche expertise and ICU capability in remote sites. Dr Green functions as the Chief Medical Officer for many international sporting events including the World Cup Rugby Sevens, British and Irish Lions tour, Cape Town Cycle tour, Epic and Cape Town Marathon. He is an Alumnus of the University of Stellenbosch, where he completed both his undergraduate degree in Medicine and four years of postgraduate training in Neurology and, more recently, finished off a master's in Sports and Exercise Medicine at the University of Stellenbosch. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they discuss the complexities of decision-making and the challenges of leading a college. Dr. Ford shares his approach to making tough choices, considering both short-term and long-term impacts. He emphasizes the importance of gathering as much information as possible, weighing the pros and cons, and understanding who will be affected.Dr. Ford also highlights the value of seeking input from trusted colleagues to refine key details before finalizing a decision. Additionally, he stresses the necessity of standing by decisions once they are made, resisting the urge to reverse course due to complaints or perceived unfairness. While adjustments may sometimes be necessary, Ford believes in staying committed to the chosen path.Plus, stay updated on the latest in athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's premier community colleges! For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

Rice Executive MBA student Shai Littlejohn is no stranger to reinvention. From law to music — and now, corporate counsel for one of the world's most recognizable brands — she has built a career on embracing challenges and following her passions.As director and corporate counsel for global supply chain & innovation at Starbucks, Shai recently spoke at Rice Business' annual Women in Leadership Conference about the evolving legal landscape in Texas.After the panel, she sat down with Owl Have You Know co-host Brian Jackson '21 to talk about her dynamic career path, the lessons she's learned across industries, why she chose to pursue an Executive MBA at Rice and how she's already applying insights from the program in her career. Episode Guide:00:51 Shai Littlejohn's Career Journey03:14 Navigating Law and Music04:38 Pursuing Music and Personal Fulfillment09:36 Transition to Starbucks11:30 Balancing an Executive MBA15:09 Empowering Women in Business16:35 Conclusion and Favorite Starbucks OrderOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:On deciding what you want and going for it[16:05] Brian Jackson: If you had a hope for one thing that the attendees today would take with them, what would that be? [16:12] Shai Littlejohn: That they have to decide what they want and just go for it. You know, it's like—if the law doesn't... You can't look for laws necessarily to help you all the time or wait for the environment or timing to be right. We have talent that we can bring to the table. We have ideas, and nothing can stop that. We just have to keep putting them out there. You're not always going to get the reception you want, but that can't stop you from trying and going for it.What Rice's Women in Leadership Conference means to a woman in business15:43: Being a woman in business is exciting, and attending this conference is truly invigorating because opportunities are all around us. No matter what's happening in the world, we as women have immense potential and endless opportunities to pursue. This group is ready to seize them, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.What's the biggest difference in working between oil and gas and coffee? 11:17: Corporate culture. Starbucks has a unique corporate culture, which I hope remains distinct because balancing culture with productivity is crucial. Many companies struggle to get that right, and striking that balance—work-life harmony alongside productivity—is very challenging.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Shai Littlejohn's website

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as Ford discusses how Northeast can keep education affordable for the students in the northeast Mississippi region while also achieving its goal of providing said students with an excellent education. Ford discusses all the positive aspects of attending a community college including the low, low tuition costs how Northeast does not have any hidden fees in its cost of attendance as many other schools do, and how the college's shift to more of a technology-based learning has reduced the burden of paying for education on students and parents. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's premier community colleges.  For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they discuss a key initiative the veteran educator hopes to see at Northeast—one that would significantly impact students, employees, and the broader community. Dr. Ford explores the expansion of the college's career and technical programs and their vital role in supplying skilled workers to the Northeast Mississippi region. He also discusses plans for a new fine arts facility that would bring world-class musicians and concerts to the "City of Hospitality." Additionally, Dr. Ford highlights the need for a state-of-the-art Student Activities Center that remains open after hours, providing students with engaging nighttime activities. He also emphasizes the importance of expanding mental health counseling services and establishing a cutting-edge health center to ease the financial burden on students who may fall ill. Plus, stay updated on the latest in athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's premier community colleges.  For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they discuss one of the largest opportunities for growth at Northeast. Ford highlights the expansion of the career and technical center in the former Corinthian Furniture plant as a major milestone for the college. He also shares insights on initiatives aimed at increasing enrollment and explains how Northeast's dedicated employees continue to position the college among the top community colleges in the nation. Plus, stay updated on the latest in athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the country's premier community colleges.  For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

Jerome Nichols is President of Standard Real Estate Investments, where he is focused on new business development and investment sourcing, in addition to his involvement in all major decisions pertaining to the business.  Prior to co-founding Standard Real Estate Investments, Jerome spent six years at CBRE Investment Management as a Senior Director and Deputy Portfolio Manager of the CBRE GI U.S. Development Partners Fund Series. In this role, he served as the lead development sourcing officer for CBRE GI Americas and sourced $6 billion in deal volume. He was actively involved in several initiatives at CBRE GI, including his role as the Chair of the Social Impact Counsel.  In addition to his time at CBRE, Jerome spent six years with The Bozzuto Group, a vertically integrated multifamily development and operating company. He is also a former professional football player.  Jerome is an Alumnus and active supporter of the Robert Toigo Foundation. He received an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Business from Wake Forest University. Links: Standard Real Estate Investments - https://www.standardrei.com/ Jerome on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerome-nichols-standard Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsedloff/ Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/ Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:36) - Jerome's Background and Career Journey (00:04:00) - Launching Standard Real Estate (00:06:34) - Standard Real Estate's Vision and Strategy (00:10:42) - Navigating Challenges and Lessons Learned (00:17:24) - The Role of Strategic Capital Partners (00:21:38) - Standard Real Estate's Current Focus and Differentiators (00:29:19) - Future Outlook and Closing Remarks

A great idea is just the beginning. How do you turn it into something bigger?Dr. Paul Cherukuri, Rice University's first vice president for innovation and chief innovation officer, works with academics and industry titans to remove roadblocks for budding entrepreneurs and help cement Houston and Rice as top hubs for innovation. Paul joins Owl Have You Know host Maya Pomroy '22 to chat about how the Office of Innovation is paving the way for cutting-edge, world-changing ideas.They also discuss The Ion, Rice's Midtown hub for entrepreneurship, why Paul chose to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry at Rice, and his path to leading innovation at the university.Episode Guide:01:10 Dr. Cherukuri's Journey to Rice04:47 The Impact of Rice University06:03 Building the Office of Innovation08:33 Challenges and Opportunities in Innovation12:52 Fostering Entrepreneurship at Rice16:05 Exciting Student Projects17:59 Small Business Innovation and Nexus Launch18:50 The Ion: Houston's Innovation Hub19:43 Building an Innovation Ecosystem23:45 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs28:42 The Exciting and Future Prospects on Rice's HorizonOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:On empowering the entrepreneurial spirit and taking calculated risks14:20: [Maya Pomroy] You've taken a lot of calculated risks in your life for things that you've done, and to translate that to others, how do you do that?14:55:[Dr. Paul Cherukuri] There are some people who just naturally resonate with the idea of doing it, right? The entrepreneurial spirit is within them and it's active, right?  Then there are some people who are sort of suppressed, repressed, who have always wanted to do it and weren't sure if that was allowed, right? Or if that was fostered for their career. And what we provide is the capability and also the inspiration that this is not only possible, it's welcomed. It's something that we actually want to promote, right?The Ion represents Rice's ability to create a community for innovators23:11: When you find your tribe, it's very, very different, and I think that The Ion represents that ability for us to concentrate people so they can meet each other. But then also provide resources, both with the corporates and the venture capitalists that are in the building.And then we're bringing in government and others to really kind of subsidize things and help us grow these companies, and then not only the companies, but grow the community. And that's what The Ion represents, right? So it is, I think, a magical place in many ways. If you go in there, there is an energy. There's a buzz that has happened now.How Houston's lack of zoning laws fuels growth and connection21:41: One of the beautiful things I think about Houston is we get dinged for not having zoning laws, but I actually think it's a great thing. And it has allowed us to economically grow, thrive, and expand the city. The problem with the expansion of the city is people density, right? So how do you get people to be right next to each other? Because that's when things start to magically happen, right? You got to get close to others.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Paul Cherukuri | Rice Business

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they discuss how Northeast impacts students during their time at one of the nation's premier community colleges. Whether it's in the classroom, forming lifelong friendships, or building a network that sets students up for success both academically and in life, Dr. Ford shares his experiences at Northeast and the profound role the college has played in his personal and professional journey. Plus, stay updated on the latest in athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's top community colleges.  For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they discuss how Northeast supports non-traditional students, including adult learners and those who have taken time off from college due to life events. Dr. Ford highlights the college's award-winning Adult Education department, which not only educates but also helps students transition into college. He also emphasizes Northeast's commitment to welcoming students of all ages. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's premier community colleges. For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

Have you ever wondered why the wait times in emergency rooms are so long? Or what dictates the cost of healthcare and it seems so high?  Professor Tolga Tezcan has studied healthcare systems around the globe, collaborating with hospitals and researching questions involving access and business operations. He has continued that work at Rice University and teaches courses on operations management, business analytics, and data mining.Owl Have You Know host Maya Pomroy '22 sits down with Tolga to chat about his course on operations management, the inefficiencies and bottlenecks healthcare systems face, and his research on innovations in healthcare delivery. Episode Guide:00:22 Meet Professor Tolga Tezcan01:36 Understanding Operations Management05:00 Journey into Healthcare Operations08:13 Challenges in Healthcare Systems11:43 Innovative Research and Solutions21:28 Future of Healthcare and AI34:24 Teaching and Student Engagement35:46 Life at Rice University38:03 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:How Professor Tolga's research is using financial incentives to improve healthcare11:44 [Maya Pomroy]: So tell me about your research. What were the bigger questions? This is exciting because I want to know how it's all going to be fixed and magnificent and, you know, like, this is really—no, I mean, it's because healthcare is just crucial, and it's really integral for all parts of our society—not only the economy but for a healthy society and for everything else.And in order to be the leader of the free world, you need a healthy society. So yes, I'm very excited to hear about your research.15:46 [Professor Tolga Tezcan]: So, my research in general—what I try to answer is, okay, we have this best system. How do we coordinate it better? How do we make sure they're connected better? And usually, you do that, at least—I mean, from a business point of view, looking at it as a business—it's with financial incentives. So I try to figure out the best incentives to give so that everybody acts like they're doing the best for the patient.What are the biggest opportunities for AI in healthcare innovation?22:12: When you talk about healthcare, there are many different aspects to discuss. And when I talk about AI, it's not the business side that's going to change first; it's going to change the medical delivery side of it, just like any other business. And for us, for example, it makes a lot of things a lot easier to do: writing an email, sometimes checking or editing a document, and so on and so forth. And just like that, I think the first step would be when you're making medical decisions; it will increase the—I shouldn't say accuracy—but it will increase at least the efficiency of doctors making that decision because now you have a second opinion right there at your fingertips. I think that's what's going to change first.What Professor Tolga Enjoys most about teaching in the Rice community34:45: I want to believe that my course is an eye-opening experience for everybody, seeing the strategic role operations play. And I love the conversations I have. I mean, multiple times I have conversations with people who come from operations and tell me, "Oh, I've never thought about these issues this way," or people come in with no background and say, "Oh, you know, I've never thought this was something that plays such an important role." It's a challenge because a lot of things in operations change, just like anything else.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Tolga Tezcan | Rice Business

In a world where true connection can feel harder than ever, how can we foster meaningful conversations that build trust and engagement? In this episode, we sit down with Chad Littlefield ('13, '15g) , co-founder and Chief Experience Officer of We and Me, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author, to explore the power of asking better questions and creating conversations that matter.Dubbed a “global expert on asking questions that build team trust and connection” by Forbes, Chad shares insights from his "Connection Toolkit," now used in over 80 countries, and reveals how leaders, educators, and teams can move beyond small talk to build genuine relationships.Chad earned multiple degrees from Penn State, including a bachelor's degree with honors in rehabilitation and human services from the College of Education and Schreyer Honors College, and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the College of the Liberal Arts—both in 2013. He also received a master's degree in learning, design, and technology from the College of Education in 2015. In 2024, the Penn State Alumni Association honored Chad with an Alumni Achievement Award, which recognizes alumni 35 years of age and younger for their extraordinary professional accomplishments.  Connect with Chad on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and LinkedIn. ------Today's episode marks the debut of host Katie Farnan. A marketing specialist with the Alumni Association, Katie earned her degree in journalism from the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications in 2019. 

In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Rob Wicall, UTSA alumnus, former San Antonio Spurs Coyote, entrepreneur, and author of Furlosophy. Rob takes us behind the scenes of his 20-year career as The Coyote, sharing the creativity, endurance, and marketing strategy that made the mascot an icon. He also dives into his transition into consulting, marketing, and public speaking, offering valuable insights into branding, storytelling, and leadership. As this year's Diploma Dash Emcee, Rob is deeply connected to the UTSA community and is currently working with UTSA Alumni to develop a new program designed to help students gain essential life and career skills beyond the classroom. This fun and engaging conversation is packed with behind-the-scenes moments, marketing takeaways, and inspiration from someone who has built a career on energy, passion, and creating unforgettable experiences. We are so excited to have him on the podcast—don't miss it! Show Notes:Rob Wicall Website - Why Call RobFurlosophy BookUTSA Alumni UTSA Merger WebsiteUTSA Athletics Hall Of Fame NominationSan Antonio restaurant earns Michelin Star with help of UTSA Mexican Cookbook CollectionUTSA to host sixth annual Southwest Guitar Symposium, March 14-16UTSA and UT Health San Antonio Day at the Capitol connects students and elected officialsUTSA AthleticsUTSA Alumni Online Store  Thanks for tuning in! Don't forget to like, follow, and subscribe for more great content! Birds Up!

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as Ford discusses any advice the veteran educator would give to a high school graduate applying for admission to Northeast. Ford talks about how each student's story is different and how Northeast helps to customize a career plan for each student, whether it is planning to transfer to a four-year college or university or entering the workforce after obtaining a degree in the career technical field. Ford talks about how the college has departments in place such as advising, counseling and the student success center that helps those, who know or those who do not know what they want to do in life, to be successful in whatever they do in life. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's premier community colleges.  For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

A new startup founded by a former Google DeepMind scientist is exiting stealth with $50 million in funding. Latent Labs is building AI foundation models to “make biology programmable,” and it plans to partner with biotech and pharmaceutical companies to generate and optimize proteins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tanu Grewal '05 knows that you can learn a lot about a person's buying habits based on what brands are in their cabinets at home. Tanu is a global marketing leader. In her roles at Coca-Cola, Whirlpool, and Kohler, she helped revolutionize iconic products used by millions of consumers in their homes everyday. She has continued this work as the Vice President of Marketing at AlEn, a Proctor & Gamble-like company with products in 95% of households in Mexico. In his debut episode as the new co-host of Owl Have You Know, Brian Jackson '21 sits down with Tanu to chat about her early marketing days at Coca-Cola in India, the strategies she gained from Whirlpool for understanding consumer behavior, and how she's innovating at AlEn for different markets in the U.S. and Mexico. Episode Guide:01:02 Early Career and First Internship at Coca-Cola02:23 Cultural Insights and Marketing Challenges in India05:00 Navigating Global Markets: Europe, Middle East, and Africa07:14 Understanding the American Consumer09:36 Revitalizing Iconic Brands: Whirlpool and Maytag13:14 Innovative Strategies in a Crowded Market16:26 Adapting Products for the U.S. Market18:58 Agile Innovation at AlEn USA20:46 The Journey of ‘Art of Green'23:21 Navigating COVID Challenges26:03 The Rice MBA Experience29:30 Commitment to Community and Diversity37:40 Future Aspirations at AlEnOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:How lived experiences shape true diversity32:18: I think true diversity is from your lived experiences. You can be, you know, whatever demographic, but even within that, your lived experiences can really make you a very diverse person because you have a certain way of looking at the world that your neighbor doesn't, right?And so, that to me is diversity, because you can then look at the same problem and think about solving it very differently. And I have seen it in action, Brian, in every continent. And it always, always amazes me how five people looking at the same slide can interpret it so differently because how they've grown up, what they've, you know, what experiences have shaped their lives.Tanu's approach to navigating multi-cultural markets06:30: Back in India, my dad was in the army. We moved around a lot, so I had the opportunity to really immerse myself in different cultures and have the ability to talk to different people, so I think that's what it is. And even when I went for my expat assignment, I was managing 33 countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. And the first thing I said was, I need to understand people. So we went out and did focus groups in different cities to really understand what the brand means to someone in France, or somebody in Germany, or in Israel. And really, you know, I would recommend every marketer to really study. And once you get an understanding, don't just stop there. Keep doing this, right? Because people change, people evolve, and things around the people evolve. And I think the pace of change, if anything, has just kind of 10xed, right? So, that's kind of my secret sauce.On gratitude, growth and giving back35:27: I really do think I've been extremely fortunate in a lot of things. You know, I grew up in India as a girl. My dad was like a feminist, way ahead of his time. I mean, just a man... I mean, we lost him a couple of years ago, but I mean, I always think about, am I going to be able to do that for my child, right? Be that progressive and all of that. And then, you know, getting the opportunity to come here, go to Rice, work in all the fabulous companies I have, lived in all these different countries. Sometimes, when I sit and think about it, I'm like, man, yeah. I have got to be thankful for all this, and then I have to give back, right? I have to help other people because that's just what you do. And I derive a lot of joy from giving back and from helping other people.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Tanu Grewal | Rice Business

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they discuss any upcoming partnerships or technological advances the college has on the horizon. Ford talks about the MOUs that the college has with many of the four-year colleges and universities throughout the state including working with Belhaven University to accept all the courses offered by Northeast that a student may want to transfer there. On the technology front, Ford points out that Northeast is a leader in AI in the state and the college is always looking to be on the forefront of technology in the classroom and amongst its students and employees.  Ford discusses the addition of technology to the classrooms and how students can access more information at their fingertips. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's premier community colleges.  For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they discuss how Northeast can balance tradition with the need for innovation in higher education. Ford talks about the lecture method in the classroom never going away but also points out that classrooms have changed how the lecture method is being presented. Ford discusses the addition of technology to the classrooms and how students have access to more information at their fingertips. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's premier community colleges. For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

In this episode, we pay tribute to our dear friend, colleague and co-host of the Owl Have You Know podcast, Scott Gale '19. Join us as we revisit some of Scott's favorite episodes and hear from the Rice community about Scott's lasting impact. Owl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Show Links: TranscriptEpisodes mentioned in the show:Corporate Innovation feat. Scott Gale '19Generations of Rice Grads feat. Chuck Yates '94A Commitment to Community Brought Our Provost to Rice feat. Amy DittmarThe Misconception of Constructive Conflict feat. Professor Daan van KnippenbergThe Tools For Strong Leadership Are Right In Front of You. feat. Ruth Oh Reitmeier and Brent SmithGuest Profiles:Scott Gale | Rice UniversityScott Gale | Obituary

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they discuss how Northeast alumni continually stay involved in the college and how their involvement is important to the success of the college. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's premier community colleges.  For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

For Gen. Xavier Brunson, the university's annual commemoration presents an opportunity to celebrate the past and founder Gen. Samuel Armstrong's legacy, as well as honor "the potential of those who walk the campus today."

Siblings Ashley Engle and Brandon Birdwell discuss life, teen haircuts, political comings and goings, broker garbage disposals and they have some sound quality struggles..... SORRRYYYYYYY.

Andrea Edmundson Bryan wasn't exactly sure what she wanted to do with her liberal arts undergrad degree. But one thing she did know? She had a strong curiosity to learn more about the business world. To Andrea's surprise, this curiosity led her to a career in oil and gas and an MBA at Rice University. Andrea is now the Chief Administrative Officer at Race Rock, a Houston-based manufacturer of critical infrastructure products for the energy sector with a mission to provide safe passage for people and power.Andrea joins host Maya Pomroy '22 to chat about Race Rock's diverse work that's shaping the future of energy infrastructure, her journey from a liberal arts degree from TCU to an MBA at Rice, her family's deep Texas roots, and the lasting impact her MBA has had on her career and life. Episode Guide:00:43 Career Journey: From Oil and Gas to Infrastructure02:07 Houston Roots and Educational Background05:06 The Bryan Museum and Texas History06:46 Teaching English in Malaysia12:23 Starting Race Rock and Business Insights15:57 The Exponential Growth of Racerock17:22 Navigating the Pandemic and Wedding Plans18:28 The Rice MBA Experience21:06 Board Fellows Program and Nonprofit Involvement24:01 Innovations in Highway Infrastructure27:11 Advice for Aspiring MBA Students and Final ThoughtsOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Andrea's vision for safe passage in highway infrastructure24:06 [Maya Pomroy]: There's definitely big shifts in energy and technology right now. And you're, sort of, at the forefront of that with Race Rock. So, tell me about the kind of work that you're doing now, and what you're the most looking forward to, and how your company is going to continue to grow.24:25 [Andrea Edmundson Bryan]: I mean, there's so many, you know, big and exciting things going on. I think in, you know, in the highway infrastructure space and the arena that we play in, you know, steel manufacturing and galvanizing, there's just, there's always room for improvement, right? Everyone drives down the street, everyone drives on highways, and you see the structures that hold the signs on freeways, and they're just there until—and they're there until you need them, right? And the guardrails along the highway that protect you if you get into an accident. We really pride ourselves on, you know, providing safe passage for people in power. That's our, kind of, motto and what we hold on to. Why Andrea sees an MBA as a lifelong tool for growth27:51: People ask me, why go get an MBA? There's a lot of argument of, like, is that necessary? And to me, I think it's multifaceted, but going through something hard and challenging like that, it's always a good thing to learn something new, challenge yourself, do something difficult, and come out at the other end of that. I think that's important on a human level, on giving yourself purpose, challenging yourself, and constantly learning. I fully believe in doing that and cultivating yourself as an individual at all times. And then also, for me, the big factor is, I always wanted that tool in my toolkit. So, I can't tell you what's going to happen tomorrow. I can't tell you what's going to happen next year, what my life's going to look like, what pivots or tracks will happen, but I will always have this in my toolkit. An MBA from Rice will always be mine.On why Andrea always recommends the Rice MBA19:43: Just like my TCU experience, I wish that on everyone else—that when they think about doing an MBA program, they have the experience I had at Rice, which was phenomenal. It was great. Everything about it—professors, faculty, atmosphere, culture, social—everything about it was awesome. And I continue to show that to people in my kind of involvement with Rice since graduation that I feel really passionate and strongly about, and giving back. I'm always the first person if someone reaches out and says, "Hey, I have somebody that's thinking about an MBA." I'm like, "Let me talk to him. I'll talk to him. Let me talk to him." Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Andrea Edmundson Bryan | Rice BusinessRace Rock GroupThe Bryan Museum

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they discuss how Northeast welcomes students and makes them feel wanted and appreciated during their time at one of the premier community colleges in the nation. Ford discusses ways that the college has helped students in the past and how each employee goes out of their way to ensure a student is successful. Ford talks about not only providing for students academically but also helping them adjust to college life through clubs and organizations, student activities, and making all students feel welcome and accepted. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's premier community colleges.  For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they discuss the legislative priorities for Northeast and all the community colleges in the Magnolia State for 2025. Ford breaks the priorities down and provides in-depth explanations on why each priority is important not only to Northeast but to the community college system as a whole. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's premier community colleges.  For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

How is AI enhancing our creativity and problem solving and how does that compare to other digital tools we use everyday, like search engines? Through controlled lab experiments and field studies, William S. Mackey Jr. Distinguished Assistant Professor Jaeyeon (Jae) Chung spends her time at Rice Business researching questions just like that. Her work in the field of marketing focuses on the groundbreaking innovations and psychological implications of AI's growing role in our lives. Jae joins host Maya Pomroy '22 to chat about her journey from psychology to AI, her recent study on generative AI's effectiveness in assisting human creativity, and her research that delves into how misinformation is spread through platforms like YouTube. Episode Guide:01:35 Journey from Psychology to AI04:20 Academic and Professional Achievements06:44 Why Rice University?08:40 Teaching and Research at Rice12:47 Exploring ChatGPT's Creativity17:43 AI's Role in Empathy and Innovation21:42 Concerns and Regulations Around AI27:50 YouTube and Misinformation34:05 Future Research and ProjectsOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Exploring Jaeyeon's recent study on AI and creativity13:21: [Maya] You did a recent study about ChatGPT as a powerful tool for enhancing everyday creativity and problem-solving. So can you walk me through that experiment that you ran and through your study and your findings on that?13:59: [Jaeyeon Chung] So, my curiosity stemmed from the fact that GPT may perform better than Google or human in subjective tasks. It seemed quite obvious that it does a great role, a great, great job in solving math problems or writing code, but would it be superior when it does a very subjective test, which is perceived as completely human? And that was the creativity test that a lot of people have been saying is a unique territory of humans that no machines can replace.14:17: [Maya] With empathy. Empathy was one of the emotions that you studied, yes? 14:21: [Jaeyeon Chung] Right, right. And I was trying to challenge that assumption, and that's how I started to run a different set of experiments.How Rice supports junior faculty with research funding07:06: Rice has a great opportunity that the school is providing to junior faculty members for sure. I mean, as a person who has always been looking for, like, the best, Rice offers one of the best packages that all the scholars prefer to get in terms of the research funding. It's the research budget that they're really fully supportive of. So, for me, I'm running a lot of experiments; let's say that I pay $2 for a 10-minute survey. It's a very small amount of money, but if you are getting 2,000 participants to write a paper, that becomes a whole lot of money that I can't just like get from my own pocket. And the school needs to support that, but a lot of other schools required for a high-standard research without providing the adequate support, and Rice is the school that really provides all these detailed steps, and they really protect the junior faculty members to focus on what they're interested in.Why mastering AI tools matters more than fearing replacement27:06: I think understanding a broader aspect of how the industry works is critical for humans to fully have control over GPT and to use it as a tool to develop their careers further rather than replacing it here or there. So you shouldn't be worried about yourself being replaced by AI, but you should be worried about losing a job because of a person who better uses AI.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Jaeyeon Chung | Rice Business

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they discuss the steps a student must go through to register for college for the Spring 2025 semester. Ford's advice not only applies to students seeking to become a student in Spring 2025 but serves as a valuable starting point for those returning to college and graduating seniors, who want to get a jump start on the college admissions process. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's premier community colleges.  For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they delve into the college president's goals for the college in 2025. Ford talks about the short-term goals that he would like to see accomplished in 2025 and how they relate to the long-term goals for the educational institution as well. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's premier community colleges.  For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they talk about the college's efforts to get more students enrolled in the Spring 2025 semester and what the educational institution is doing to push the enrollment numbers even higher with different recruiting and marketing efforts. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's premier community colleges.  For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they dive into the college's achievements during the Fall 2024 semester and highlights that helped to make Northeast one of the premier community colleges in the nation. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's premier community colleges. For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

It takes grit for a history major to walk into a job fair for business students and convince the rep from Kraft Foods that she's the right person for the position. But that's exactly what our guest, Mindy Smith '13 did.Landing that job with Kraft spring-boarded Mindy into a marketing and sales career where she held positions with companies like Coke and now Shell. Currently, Mindy is a global strategy leader for Shell's Mobility business, and is responsible for brand standards at more than 47,000 retail sites worldwide.Mindy joins host Maya Pomroy '22 to chat about her career-defining pivots, the importance of being bold, critical insights she's learned at Shell and why she decided to get her MBA after an already successful career journey.Episode Guide:02:00 Career Beginnings and Early Jobs03:22 Landing a Job at Kraft Foods06:19 Insights from Working at Kraft15:11 Transition to Coke19:33 Joining Shell and Pursuing an MBA23:57 The Steamroller Persona24:54 Navigating Organizational Changes27:58 New Role at Shell29:00 Managing Global Insights31:09 Customer Experience and Competition35:45 Rice University's Lasting Impact41:58 Final Thoughts and LessonsOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Networking is about learning, not just opportunities35:31: Rice was such an important part of my life. And as I mentioned earlier, I still take a lot of the learnings and use them daily in my work. And one of the things that I really appreciated about Rice was going back to network, going back to hearing others' perspectives and how they handle things. And when I was there, I loved hearing from people who had already graduated…[38:07] One of the things I did throughout was connect with alumni whenever I had the opportunity at different events. And even now, I love to hear people's stories, and I like to hear what people do, and I like to hear, you know, quite honestly, they'll ask me questions sometimes that then get me thinking about things. And it's great to have that interaction. And, you know, people talk about network all the time in the sense of using your network if you're looking for a job or things like that. For me, it's really—it's the learning.Life isn't a straight line—embrace the curveballs41:44: Whether it's your life or your career, it's not a straight line, and you can't plan it out. I was just saying this to my sister-in-law: You can be the best planner. You can have every little detail planned out. Life is always going to throw you curveballs, and how you react to those curveballs—have the courage and overcome the fear—because some of those curveballs end up being amazing opportunities. Even though they might not have been in your original plans, that's definitely one. Number two would be to always be curious. One of the things that I think I have benefited from is that I'm not afraid to ask a lot of questions. Sometimes that can annoy people, or sometimes I do worry that if—especially if it's someone senior—they might see it as, you know, just, “Why is she asking so many questions?” But you know what? That's how you learn. Be curious, though, and learn new things.On the formula of success in a big company26:29: I've always had a formula. Even 20 years ago, when I had an actual office, I had on my board the formula for success in a big company: 60 percent your network, 20 percent actual work, and 20 percent perception. And I'll tell you, one of the things with what's been going on lately, I've been telling people I might change my formula to 50 percent network and 50 percent perception because, absolutely, in a time like this—where people who might not know you are making decisions about your future with the company—not only the network, but the perception, is big. So, more important than ever in times like this, it pays off.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Mindy Smith | Rice Business

Join Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as they dive into how Northeast equips students for successful careers. From fostering a strong work ethic to highlighting the Tiger Apprenticeship Program, Dr. Ford shares the college's strategies for helping graduates secure job offers. The discussion includes tips on resume building, LinkedIn updates, and navigating workforce readiness. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's premier community colleges. For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford sits down with Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery to discuss what the veteran educator is thankful for this Thanksgiving. To wrap up, Ford shares updates on Northeast News, discussing athletics, academics, workforce development, student activities, human resources, and other important topics at one of the nation's top community colleges. For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College, joins Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery to discuss how his experience as a successful women's basketball coach has influenced his leadership as president of one of the nation's premier community colleges. Ford highlights the importance of building a strong team, strategic planning, and executing plans to achieve shared goals. He also shares leadership tips, emphasizing the value of assembling a capable team and empowering them to work independently. To conclude, Ford provides updates on Northeast News, covering athletics, academics, workforce development, student activities, human resources, and other key topics at the college. For those who may have missed an episode, all Northeast TigerTalk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com.--NEMCC--Information about Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeNortheast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

Join us as we delve into the remarkable journey of Trey Martinez Fischer, UTSA alumnus and distinguished member of the Texas House of Representatives. Representing San Antonio's District 116, Trey has spent over two decades championing public education, healthcare, and economic opportunity while advocating for marginalized communities. From his humble beginnings working in his family's restaurant to becoming Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, Trey's story is one of resilience, leadership, and unwavering dedication to his community.In this episode, Trey reflects on his experiences at UTSA, the values instilled by his San Antonio roots, and his vision for a more equitable Texas. Discover his thoughts on pivotal legislation, his proudest accomplishments, and his advice for the next generation of changemakers. Whether you're passionate about education reform, community engagement, or Texas politics, this conversation is filled with inspiration and insight. Tune in to explore the life and legacy of a true public servant!Show Notes:Trey Martinez Fischer WebsiteUTSA AlumniUTSA Student Pantry / Whataburger Resource Room - Give Today!UTSA receives $2 million gift from USAAUTSA AthleticsUTSA Alumni Online Store  Thanks for tuning in! Don't forget to like, follow, and subscribe for more great content! Birds Up!

This week the Mikes are joined by CHS Alumnus Steven Trosell to discuss his path from Carlson High School to Mammal Care Specialist at The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in Florida. Overrated/Underrated, animals. The episode wraps up with everyone's Hot Mike Takes!

Owl Have You Know is pleased to welcome Twice-Rice grad Will Eldridge – a consultant at Bain & Company and the president-elect of the Rice Business Alumni Association Board.Will earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil & Environmental Engineering at Rice in 2017. But after an unforgettable experience in MAcc program director Ben Lansford's class, he decided to pivot to accounting. Will went on to work at Deloitte as a senior auditor for oil and gas clients, before deciding to go back to school again for his MBA at Chicago Booth.Will chats with Owl Have You Know guest host Brian Jackson '21 about his path from accounting to strategy consulting, the importance of mentorship, and why board service has given him a way to give back to his community in fulfilling ways.Episode Guide:00:53 Will's Favorite Career Pivot02:00 Impact of Ben Lansford03:22 Choosing Rice and Career Path05:05 Experience at Deloitte08:11 Transition to Consulting09:46 Volunteering and Alumni Networks15:30 Consulting Challenges and Skills18:10 Personal Background and French Heritage20:39 Commitment to Rice Business23:33 Advice for Future Business Students25:01 Classic Cocktails and ConclusionOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Ben Lansford and MAcc program's impact in Will's journey from engineering to accounting01:48: [Brian Jackson]: Tell me about Ben Lansford. What type of impact did he have on you? Are there any memories from your time in the program that really stick out?01:56: [Will Eldridge]: Yeah, of course. Ben is this amazing dad figure for a lot of us who found our way to the MAcc. I say that because he has these great dad jokes, but he also helps a lot of people find their way and is someone who has made accounting, which gets a bad rap in a lot of circles, you know, the favorite class that some people take. [02:26] And, you know, when they announced bringing this program back to Rice, there were no current or former students to speak to, but Ben Lansford had been hired. And I got coffee with him, I remember, and started talking about the program, the opportunities. And it was just a great connection that I know he's made with a lot of the students going through the program, and he really helped me understand how I could marry my current background with a master's degree in accounting and make that transition despite having not lot of accounting experience yet and gave me that confidence to make the transition.After realizing that accounting wasn't his long-term goal, Will pivoted to strategy consulting.I figured that I loved the client service aspect of the job I was in. I, at some point, figured out the accounting and financial reporting path wasn't what I wanted to do long term, but I wanted to stay in client service. Did some exploring, I actually circled back to the Center for Career Development at Rice, reaching out to them to talk about different paths to explore and spoke to some other alums. Figured out I wanted to go into strategy consulting, so, a bit more of results-oriented work in some ways but keeping that analysis piece that I had learned as an auditor when we're looking at trends. And with that, I figured out the best way to do that would be to go to business school to set myself up for that recruiting process and eventuality.The power of empathy in consulting19:10: [Brian Jackson]: What skills do you really draw upon to buy that credibility with your clients?19:16: [Will Eldridge]: For one, approaching whatever you're presenting to them with a mindset of context reset, you're deep in the details, and it's hard to sometimes pull up and look at the work that you're presenting and remember the limited context that your client might have and how much else they have going on. So, there's definitely a level of empathizing that is really critical. And so, to put yourself in their shoes and think, you know, what are they coming at this from? What do they care about? What do they need to get out of this? And what is the one or two things they should take away from this conversation is a good frame of mind to take.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Will Eldridge | Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University Brian Jackson | Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University Listen to The Sky Is Not the Limit feat. Rawand Rasheed here: https://business.rice.edu/owlhaveyouknow/season-4-episode-1