Podcasts about Alumnus

Lazlo and SlimFast talk to their friend Thomas, who recently was kidnapped and tortured by Israeli forces while delivering aid to Palestine.

Bubba O'Neil is joined by Matt Bucknor to recap the first half of the game against the Ottawa Redblacks at Hamilton Stadium. They are joined by Alumnus of Distinction Nick Shortill.GET YOUR TICKETS AT ticats.ca/playoffsThe Ticats Audio Network provides Hamilton Tiger-Cats fans with the most comprehensive, entertaining and informative news and information about their favourite football team. Featuring Steve Milton, Mike Daly, Bubba O'Neil, Courtney Stephen, Simoni Lawrence, Mike Morreale, Rob Hitchcock, Mike Daly, Louie Butko, Troy Durrell, Ticats players, coaches and front office personnel, and many more. Regular shows include Ticats Today, Ticats This Week, Tiger-Cats Game Day, Tiger-Cats Pregame, Tiger-Cats At The Half, Tiger-Cats Postgame, Speaking With The Enemy, Morreale & Hitch, The Milton Report, What Happened with Simoni Lawrence, and so much more. Ticats Audio Network content can be found on the Tiger-Cats YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, at listen.ticats.ca and anywhere else you find podcasts. Please follow, like, leave a review wherever you find our content, and follow the Hamilton Tiger-Cats social media channels to keep up to date with all Ticats Audio Network content. Twitter: @TicatsInsta: @hamiltontigercatsTikTok: @hamiltonticatsFacebook: cfltigercatsYouTube: ticatstvchannel

In this episode of TigerTalk, Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery share how the college helps every student — from high school dual-enrollment participants to returning adult learners — discover their purpose and achieve success. Ford highlights the vital role of the Student Success Center, where personalized guidance and support have transformed countless student journeys. He also celebrates the achievements of the college's award-winning Adult Education Department, which continues to help individuals earn their HiSET diplomas and take the next step toward their goals. Whether a student is fresh out of high school, navigating their way through their first or second year of college, or coming back after time away, Northeast is committed to helping everyone succeed. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and all the incredible things happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges.

Join Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery and Northeast President Dr. Ricky G. Ford for another episode of TigerTalk, the official podcast of Northeast Mississippi Community College. In this episode, Dr. Ford recaps the major events that have shaped the first half of the semester and gives listeners an inside look at what's ahead for the remainder of the year. Dr. Ford also highlights one of the region's biggest annual traditions — the Northeast Mississippi Regional Marching Band Championships, now recognized as the largest marching band festival in the state, drawing more than 20,000 visitors to the Booneville campus each October. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and all the incredible things happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges.

Bubba O'Neil is joined by Matt Bucknor to recap the first half of the game against the Calgary Stampeders at Hamilton Stadium. They are joined by Alumnus of Distinction, Duane Butler.GET YOUR TICKETS AT ticats.ca/playoffsThe Ticats Audio Network provides Hamilton Tiger-Cats fans with the most comprehensive, entertaining and informative news and information about their favourite football team. Featuring Steve Milton, Mike Daly, Bubba O'Neil, Courtney Stephen, Simoni Lawrence, Mike Morreale, Rob Hitchcock, Mike Daly, Louie Butko, Troy Durrell, Ticats players, coaches and front office personnel, and many more. Regular shows include Ticats Today, Ticats This Week, Tiger-Cats Game Day, Tiger-Cats Pregame, Tiger-Cats At The Half, Tiger-Cats Postgame, Speaking With The Enemy, Morreale & Hitch, The Milton Report, What Happened with Simoni Lawrence, and so much more. Ticats Audio Network content can be found on the Tiger-Cats YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, at listen.ticats.ca and anywhere else you find podcasts. Please follow, like, leave a review wherever you find our content, and follow the Hamilton Tiger-Cats social media channels to keep up to date with all Ticats Audio Network content. Twitter: @TicatsInsta: @hamiltontigercatsTikTok: @hamiltonticatsFacebook: cfltigercatsYouTube: ticatstvchannel

For Marian Villegas '23, art can be found in everything — even petroleum engineering. Raised in Tabasco, Mexico, Marian grew up inspired by her father's work in oil and gas and her own lifelong love of painting. That dual passion led her to a career in petroleum engineering — and eventually to Rice Business, where her MBA helped her grow in both her role as a senior asset manager at EDP Renewables North America and as the founder of her art studio, Mablueart.In this episode, Marian joins co-host Maya Pomroy '22 to share how she's built a career that bridges energy and art, the lessons she's carried from Tabasco to Houston, and why creativity continues to guide everything she does.Episode Guide:01:38 Growing up in Tabasco04:37 Pursuing a Career in Petroleum Engineering09:51 Transition to the United States and Career Growth14:05 Discovering and Nurturing a Passion for Art18:57 Exploring Graduate School and MBA Programs23:43 Starting Mablueart26:15 Incorporating Unique Elements Into Art33:12 Future Goals and Teaching at RiceThe Owl Have You Know Podcast is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Seeing petroleum engineering as an art[6:13]: So I wanted to have a good understanding of that [petroleum engineering] from a guy who was leading an entire organization. So I went there. He was extremely nice. He saw me, he's a very sharp guy. And then the minute he saw me, he was like, “Okay, Marian, I guess those are all your questions. I'm going to just talk about petroleum engineering. You don't need to tell me questions. I will just tell you my story.” And after an hour and a half — not 15 minutes — an hour and a half, of this amazing story, I fell in love with that, the idea of being a petroleum engineer. He'd talk about, “This is art.” You know, the words, the way he was explaining that to me, like a story… for me that was a: Yes, I want something that I can feel that passionate about. For me, it's also art in a way.From oil and gas roots to pursuing art[3:59]: I grew up in this beautiful town. It's a very small town, Tabasco (Villahermosa), but it is all about oil and gas. Everybody, every single thing, is about oil and gas. So I always loved art in a way — always reading art, always painting. I have been painting my whole life in different aspects, but I never thought about that as another source of income, in a way, as a business.When art as therapy becomes a business[17:06]: Until today, it [creating art] used to be my therapy, in a way. I would work the entire week, and during the weekends I would paint full-time. And for me, that was my escape. Today it's also business. I have deliverables, I have people waiting. And my biggest fear was that, at some point, I would just stop enjoying this part of the art world because I needed to deliver. So that's why I guess it took me so long to decide to make it big, as I did not want to see this as another job. I wanted to keep painting and seeing this as my therapy, and art is always, for me, the answer. But, I did'nt want that to take away that creativity from me.Show Links: Mablueart.comThe Art of Networking with Marian Villegas – Nov. 1, 2025 at Rice UniversityTranscriptGuest Profile:Marian Villegas | LinkedIn

In this episode of TigerTalk, Northeast Mississippi Community College's Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery sits down with President Dr. Ricky G. Ford to discuss how the Fall 2025 semester is shaping up at Northeast. Dr. Ford shares his thoughts on the behavior and spirit of Northeast students, the exciting lineup of end-of-semester events and provides important updates on ongoing and upcoming construction and campus improvement projects. The conversation also highlights the success of the Northeast Mississippi Regional Marching Band Championships, which has grown into the largest marching band festival in the state, drawing over 20,000 visitors to campus and the city of Booneville each October. Tune in for the latest on academics, athletics, workforce development, and everything happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges — Northeast Mississippi Community College.

Join Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery and Northeast President Dr. Ricky G. Ford for another inspiring episode of TigerTalk, the official podcast of Northeast Mississippi Community College. This week, Dr. Ford discusses how Northeast goes beyond the classroom -- preparing students not just for academic success, but for life. Hear how freshmen who arrive uncertain of their path leave Northeast with confidence, purpose, and the power to change the world. Plus, stay up to date with the latest in athletics, academics, workforce development, and everything happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges.

Al Danto, senior lecturer in entrepreneurship, has been a trusted mentor and beloved member of the Rice Business community for more than two decades. A serial entrepreneur, he launched his first company at the age of 23, growing it through multiple acquisitions before selling to a private equity-backed group. After earning his MBA at Rice Business, he returned to teach New Enterprise, Enterprise Acquisition and their corresponding E-labs – guiding students as they build and acquire businesses of their own. He is also a driving force behind the Veterans Business Battle. Beyond his professional success, Al has had a personal journey few could imagine. In May 2022, Al experienced two life-threatening medical crises and was placed on advanced life support. Sixty-five days later, he walked out of the hospital determined to return to the classroom, and by October, he was back. In this episode of Owl Have You Know, Al shares his extraordinary career journey, his story of recovery and why he urges everyone to “grab life” and make a difference. Episode Guide:00:22 Meet Al Danto: The Entrepreneurial Legend01:01 Al Danto's Early Ventures and Successes07:56 Scaling the Business and Strategic Exits12:32 The Rice MBA Experience16:55 Launching Universal Worker20:31 Rice Alliance and the Rice Business Plan Competition25:52 Teaching and Mentoring at Rice29:22 Identifying the Secret Sauce of Successful Entrepreneurs33:42 Personal Health Challenges and Overcoming Adversity43:38 The Role of Mentorship and Support in Success49:00 The Veterans Business Battle: Supporting Veteran Entrepreneurs51:24 Vision for the Future of Rice UniversityOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:On the tough realities of entrepreneurship and success[26:44] Maya Pomroy: For people to sign up to really take these risks, what do you think that it is that you bring? That people are so excited about.[26:53] Al Danto: First thing I try to do is talk you out of it. It's not easy. I mean, it's tough. You have — it's really hard. I mean, you see a lot about the glamour, and you see all this stuff. You know, 80% of business startups — fail. I think at Rice, what we do is we have a fertile ground, right? To plant these seeds in. You have support. You have nurturing, and you have everything, but it's a tough road. To me, a lot of it is you make the decisions. I personally think, for most cases, if you start a business, the success or failure comes to you. You know, 86% of plane crashes are pilot or human error. Which we talk about in class. And I think entrepreneurship is pretty similar.On making ideas real and sustaining Rice's entrepreneurial legacy[28:50] The reality is you have to get out there and you have to do it, and you have to make these things real. And I think, you know, we've done that. It's kind of in our DNA. And so now, five years, six years in a row now, the No. 1 Graduate Entrepreneurship Program — it's not because of me, it's because of what was started long ago, and it's because of support. And now our alumni come back in, and they say what they've done — the good and the bad — that we bring back in.Believing in something bigger and rowing together at Rice[50:30] I think it's important to have something that you believe in. I think if you can't believe in, and anytime you see a military veteran, they put their life to go give us freedom. And a couple years ago, one of the veterans told me the best way that you can show our support is not to thank us, but to go out there and take advantage of the freedoms that we have. I think entrepreneurship is one of them as well. So it's really been great, and every year these guys have not wanted to let the next person down, and they've stepped up and stepped into it. And I think that's just not letting the next person down. And I think everyone that goes through Rice is going to experience that. It's tough, but you're in the rowboat mentality. We're in this together, and we have to get through it, and y'all will. And that's part of it.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Al Danto | Rice Business

Join Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery and Northeast President Dr. Ricky G. Ford as they dive into what truly sets Northeast Mississippi Community College apart from other colleges and universities -- including four-year institutions. Ford shares how Northeast creates a close-knit, “family” atmosphere where everyone knows a person's name, values their story, and supports their success. From the low faculty-to-student ratio and engaging student events that make college life memorable, to the value of paying less than one-third the cost of a four-year institution while receiving the same -- or even better -- education, students and parents discover every day why Northeast is one of the nation's premier community colleges. Plus, stay up to date on the latest in athletics, academics, workforce development, and campus life in each episode of TigerTalk.

Bubba O'Neil is joined by Matt Bucknor to recap the first half of the game against the Edmonton Elks at Hamilton Stadium. They are joined by Alumnus of Distinction, Curtis Newton.GET YOUR TICKETS HEREThe Ticats Audio Network provides Hamilton Tiger-Cats fans with the most comprehensive, entertaining and informative news and information about their favourite football team. Featuring Steve Milton, Mike Daly, Bubba O'Neil, Courtney Stephen, Simoni Lawrence, Mike Morreale, Rob Hitchcock, Mike Daly, Louie Butko, Troy Durrell, Ticats players, coaches and front office personnel, and many more. Regular shows include Ticats Today, Ticats This Week, Tiger-Cats Game Day, Tiger-Cats Pregame, Tiger-Cats At The Half, Tiger-Cats Postgame, Speaking With The Enemy, Morreale & Hitch, The Milton Report, What Happened with Simoni Lawrence, and so much more. Ticats Audio Network content can be found on the Tiger-Cats YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, at listen.ticats.ca and anywhere else you find podcasts. Please follow, like, leave a review wherever you find our content, and follow the Hamilton Tiger-Cats social media channels to keep up to date with all Ticats Audio Network content. Twitter: @TicatsInsta: @hamiltontigercatsTikTok: @hamiltonticatsFacebook: cfltigercatsYouTube: ticatstvchannel

In this episode, we sit down with author and alumnus, Jacob North. While at Surbiton high school, Jacob was mentored by Stuart Bird our Writer in Residence and Deputy Head of English. A decade later, Jacob has his first book out, ‘Ice Apprentices' and is working on his follow-up in the series as well as other projects. Reunited after a decade, Stuart and Jacob talk about the writing process and the journey of publishing a novel.

In this episode of the TigerTalk Podcast, Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery sits down with Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford to explore how Northeast is putting the word “community” back into community college. From Booneville to the five-county service district of Alcorn, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo, and Union counties, Northeast continues to strengthen its role as a vital part of the region. Dr. Ford highlights the college's outreach efforts, its role in fostering workforce development through an educated labor force, and how that growth attracts new industries to northeast Mississippi. He also shares how Northeast supports families' hopes for a brighter future by equipping students with the education and skills they need to secure better-paying jobs. With its roots in community support and its ongoing mission to serve, Northeast remains committed to finding new ways to be a cornerstone in every community it touches. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and everything happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges.

Bubba O'Neil is joined by Matt Bucknor to recap the first half of the game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Hamilton Stadium. They are joined by Alumnus of Distinction, Chris Van Zeyl.Get your tickets hereThe Ticats Audio Network provides Hamilton Tiger-Cats fans with the most comprehensive, entertaining and informative news and information about their favourite football team. Featuring Steve Milton, Mike Daly, Bubba O'Neil, Courtney Stephen, Simoni Lawrence, Mike Morreale, Rob Hitchcock, Mike Daly, Louie Butko, Troy Durrell, Ticats players, coaches and front office personnel, and many more. Regular shows include Ticats Today, Ticats This Week, Tiger-Cats Game Day, Tiger-Cats Pregame, Tiger-Cats At The Half, Tiger-Cats Postgame, Speaking With The Enemy, Morreale & Hitch, The Milton Report, What Happened with Simoni Lawrence, and so much more. Ticats Audio Network content can be found on the Tiger-Cats YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, at listen.ticats.ca and anywhere else you find podcasts. Please follow, like, leave a review wherever you find our content, and follow the Hamilton Tiger-Cats social media channels to keep up to date with all Ticats Audio Network content. Twitter: @TicatsInsta: @hamiltontigercatsTikTok: @hamiltonticatsFacebook: cfltigercatsYouTube: ticatstvchannel

After many successful years as a mechanical engineer for Baker Hughes, Sujeev Chittipolu '21 thought it was time to invest in his leadership potential. That led him to Rice Business.   As part of Rice's Professional MBA program, Sujeev formed invaluable connections through programs like CoachRICE and even joined the board of one of his classmate's nonprofits — Amel Association Houston. Through Amel, Sujeev is taking what he learned at Rice Business and building leadership coaching programs for underserved youth in Houston, particularly in refugee communities. In this episode, Sujeev chats with co-host Maya Pomroy '22 about his 16 years at Baker Hughes, how growing up in an entrepreneurial family shaped him, his work with Amel to give back to the community, and how the Rice MBA helped him put the final pieces together in his career. Episode Guide:01:30 Early Career and Education02:14 Journey at Baker Hughes05:37 Pursuing an MBA at Rice09:51 Giving Back Through AMEL15:19 Balancing Career and Personal Life16:00 Advice for Aspiring MBA Students16:43 Impact of Rice MBA on Career22:23 Staying Connected with Rice24:53 Future Aspirations and Final ThoughtsOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:How coaching transforms a student's confidence and future12:36: I would say one student named Musafa. He was initially not a student. He was active doing his things, but he was not very verbal in the class, right? [13:41] So as he worked with a coach, what we've seen was he could explore his inhibitions, he could set his goals, understand what were some of the drivers that were inhibiting his potential. And we've seen a clear change. He was about to quit high school. Yes, and working with the coach, it changed. He was over the process of a year, right? Two semesters, he became more verbal. He was confident in himself. He could understand what he wanted in life. He could realize, okay, I have a goal in career, and then okay, I can work towards it. So I think that one story kind of inspired more of us to come back and give. And it's just like we've seen many of those, Maya, over the last three-plus years working with HISD.Shaping mindset and leadership through the Rice MBA16:19: [Maya]: So thinking back on before Rice and after Rice, what were some of the ways that your mindset has really changed because of the MBA that you worked for?16:32: [Sujeev Chittipolu]: So many ways. I think the way I look at problems and the way I look at challenges is very different now. I'm kind of more holistic in approach. I challenge myself much more based on the lessons I've learned during Rice, and even the leadership piece, right? Leadership not just at work, but I think leadership goes all the way — starts from home, through the community, at work. So you set an example for yourself. You set an example for your family members, so you're learning always, trying to grow. So I think Rice has influenced me personally, professionally, and I think I keep continuing to reap rewards as I grow personally as well as professionally.On the hard work of growth and the rewards of giving back15:38: There is no easy way or there's no shotguns in growth or in career. You have to differentiate yourself. You have to work hard to one, grow yourself and be able to give back. I think both of these. If you are passionate, if you want to grow, it's not easy, but the journey might be tough, but the efforts are always rewarding, right? Giving back, you can see one story that is shared. It changes your perspective on life. It gives you things that show how grateful you are to be able to give back. So, take the leap forward. I think you always find time. There are weekends that you can stretch. There are days you know you need like one or two hours a day that you can stretch and always be able to give back. So yeah, I think take the leap forward, and it will be worthwhile.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Sujeev Chittipolu | LinkedInBoard Profile | AMEL Association Houston

On this episode of the TigerTalk Podcast, Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery teams up with Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford to discuss how Northeast prepares its students for more than just graduation. The Booneville-based college ensures that students leave not only with a degree, but also with the real-world skills needed to thrive in the classroom, on the job, and in their personal lives. It's about more than academics—it's about shaping well-rounded individuals who are ready to succeed no matter what life throws their way. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and everything happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges.

In this episode of the TigerTalk Podcast, Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery joins Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford to highlight the many ways Northeast employees ensure student success—both inside the classroom and beyond. From Career and Technical faculty who build lifelong friendships and mentor students in their chosen fields, to instructors who keep their doors open during office hours for a quick question or even just a friendly “hey,” Northeast's commitment to personal connection shines through. The conversation also explores the vital role of the Student Success Center and Counseling Center, offering guidance and resources as students navigate academics and life's major transitions. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and everything happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges.

Bubba O'Neil is joined by Matt Bucknor to recap the first half of the game against the Toronto Argonauts at Hamilton Stadium. They are joined by Alumnus of Distinction, Jesse Lumsden.The Ticats Audio Network provides Hamilton Tiger-Cats fans with the most comprehensive, entertaining and informative news and information about their favourite football team. Featuring Steve Milton, Mike Daly, Bubba O'Neil, Courtney Stephen, Simoni Lawrence, Mike Morreale, Rob Hitchcock, Brian Simmons, Louie Butko, Ticats players, coaches and front office personnel, other Canadian Football League experts and many more. Regular shows include Ticats Today, Ticats This Week, Tiger-Cats Game Day, Tiger-Cats Pregame, Tiger-Cats At The Half, Tiger-Cats Postgame, Speaking With The Enemy, Morreale & Hitch, CFL This Week, and so much more. Ticats Audio Network content can be found on the Tiger-Cats YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, at listen.ticats.ca and anywhere else you find podcasts. Please follow, like, leave a review wherever you find our content, and follow the Hamilton Tiger-Cats social media channels to keep up to date with all Ticats Audio Network content.Twitter: @TicatsInsta: @hamiltontigercatsTikTok: @hamiltonticatsFacebook: cfltigercatsYouTube: ticatstvchannel

At a time when startups are primarily funded by private market investors, who you know has become a critical factor in gaining access to that venture capital. But how does the reliance on alumni and professional networks create barriers for startups from historically disadvantaged groups?Emmanuel Yimfor '20 is a finance professor at Columbia Business School and holds a Ph.D. from Rice University. His research focuses on entrepreneurial finance, diversity and private capital markets, with insights into gender and racial disparities in venture capital funding, board representation and how resources could be more equitably allocated.Emmanuel joins co-host Maya Pomroy '22 to discuss his career journey from working at a Cameroonian telecommunications company to teaching at some of the top U.S. business schools, as well as his research on the influence of alumni networks in venture capital funding, how AI tools can address biases in lending, and finally how he's teaming up with his son to bring AI tools to young innovators and entrepreneurs in Cameroon. Episode Guide:01:00 Exploring Entrepreneurial Finance03:36 The Role of Networks in VC Funding08:10 Emmanuel's Journey From Cameroon to the U.S.12:34 The Rice University Experience15:43 Research on Alumni Networks and Funding21:49 Algorithmic Bias in Lending33:17 Empowering Future Innovators in Cameroon38:42 Final Thoughts and Future OutlookOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Rethinking who gets funded in venture capital31:07: What does good networks mean exactly? If you look at venture capital partners, for example, right? They have worked at McKinsey before they became venture capital partners. So they have worked at certain companies, they have done certain jobs that then led them to become VCs. And so to the extent that we have a lack of representation in this pipeline of jobs that is leading to VC, then the founders that do not come from these same backgrounds do not have as equal access to the partners. And so what that suggests is something very basic, which is like, just rethink the set of deals that you are considering. That might expand the pool of deals that you consider, because, you know, there might be a smart person out there that is maybe not the same race as you, but that has an idea that you really, really want to fund. And that is something that I think, like, everybody would agree with. You know, we want to allocate capital to its most productive uses.From hard data to meaningful change29:13: So I have a belief in America, at least based on my life journey, which is: if you work hard for long enough, somebody is going to recognize you and you will be rewarded for it. And so I really believe that America takes in data, thinks about that data for a while to think about whether the research is credible enough, and then, using that data, they are a good Bayesian, so they get a new posterior. They act in a new way that is consistent with what the new before and the new data. And so I think about my role as a researcher as just like, you know, providing that data. Here is the data, and here is what is consistent with what we are doing right now. Now, you know, what you do with that information now is like, you know, update what you are doing in a way that is most consistent with efficient capital allocation—is my hope.Why Emmanuel finds empirical work so exciting 21:34: Empirical work is so exciting to me because then you are like, "I am a little bit of a police detective." So you take a little bit of this thing that feels hard to measure, and then you can create hypotheses to link it to the eventual outcomes, to the extent that that thing that is hard to measure is something that is leading to efficient capital allocation. Then, on average, you know, this feeling that you get about founders that are from the same alma mater should lead to good things as opposed to leading to bad things. And so, you know, that is exactly the right spirit of how to think about the work.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Emmanuel Yimfor | Columbia Business SchoolEmmanuel Yimfor | LinkedInEmmanuel's Website 

On this episode of the TigerTalk Podcast, Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery sits down with Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford to discuss the power of recruitment events like NORTHEAST NOW and personalized campus visits. Discover how these experiences give high school students a firsthand look at college life and play a vital role in boosting enrollment—with over 88% of campus visitors ultimately choosing to become Tigers. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and everything happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges.

In this episode of TigerTalk, Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery sits down with Northeast president Dr. Ricky G. Ford for an inside look at the decision-making process that shapes the future of the college. Dr. Ford discusses the wide range of factors that must be weighed when making key choices—from balancing the needs of students, employees, and the institution to ensuring that every decision supports both today's learners and generations to come. He also shares how he leans on a trusted support system to gather information, perspectives, and insights that guide him toward sound, lasting outcomes. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and everything happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges.

After navigating a challenging endometriosis diagnosis, multiple surgeries, and a complex healthcare system, Andria “Monique” Pourkarimi '25 decided to tackle a gap she experienced firsthand. While pursuing an online MBA at Rice, an idea born in the classroom grew into Dr. Clara, LLC — a women's health startup focused on closing the communication gap between patients and providers.Just a year earlier, Monique founded Pourkarimi & Associates, LLC, a financial consulting and independent insurance brokerage firm that helps clients navigate complex financial decisions and insurance needs. In this episode, Monique joins co-host Brian Jackson '21 to share how her health journey inspires her work with Dr. Clara, why financial and insurance literacy are so important, and what led her career from the aisles of Costco to entrepreneurship and a Rice MBA.Episode Guide:00:00 Introduction to Monique Pourkarimi01:23 Balancing Business and MBA09:08 The Inspiration Behind Dr. Clara10:46 Challenges and Advocacy in Women's Health19:19 Future Plans and Reflections22:29 The Importance of Financial Education27:43 Pursuing Public Policy for Healthcare Reform30:51 Concluding ThoughtsOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Where did Monique get her entrepreneurship spirit?07:45: I think entrepreneurship runs in my blood. So my uncle has a logistics company that is here in the US and transports in Mexico as well. My grandmother, she works with him and his business, and, my mom has her own insurance brokerage as well, specializing in Medicare. So independent of my pursuits, my grandmother and my mom are the ones who raised me. So here it was three generations of strong Mexican women who were, you know, just under one roof. And I think that is kind of what shaped me in terms of  the woman that I am today and that entrepreneurial spirit.Success is about impact, not numbers27:25: I think for me, success is counting how many people am I able to help at the end of the day, right? And it's not a number of just benchmarks of, oh, okay, I have a quota of helping 500,000 people. No, it's not about that at the end of the day. And do I confidently know that I have been able to help make a positive impact in this world? I do not want to leave it as I am starting these businesses because I am doing them for myself, or even with awards that I received through Rice. I think success is: what is my legacy? And if I were to die today, you know, what would people think about me? I think success is: what is my legacy? And if I were to die today, what would people think about me? Did I make a positive impact in people's life? That, to me, is success.The moment Monique said yes to Rice05:21: For me, I was thinking, wow, there is so much potential—especially with an MBA. There is so much potential I have in growing my businesses. And, as you said, Brian, being connected with the other students—I joke that Rice did all the background checks for us because I love my cohort. The people at Rice, the alumni—we are one big Happy Owl family. I had a lot of people who believed in me and were willing to help and point me in the right direction.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:2025 Best & Brightest Online MBA: Andria Monique Pourkarimi, Rice University (Jones) | Poets & QuantsAndria Monique Pourkarimi | LinkedIn

In this episode of TigerTalk, Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery sits down with Northeast President Dr. Ricky G. Ford to share valuable advice for students just beginning their college journey. Drawing on decades of experience as an educator and leader, Ford highlights the importance of building friendships that last a lifetime, getting involved in clubs and organizations, joining intramural activities, and making the most of resources like the Eula Dees Memorial Library. Whether it's stepping out of your comfort zone to meet new people or finding ways to fully embrace campus life, Ford encourages students to enjoy every moment of their time at Northeast. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and everything happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges.

Bubba O'Neil is joined by Matt Bucknor to recap the first half of the game against the BC Lions at Hamilton Stadium. They are joined by Alumnus of Distinction, Lee KnightClick here for ticketsAug 13thHamilton StadiumThe Ticats Audio Network provides Hamilton Tiger-Cats fans with the most comprehensive, entertaining and informative news and information about their favourite football team. Featuring Steve Milton, Mike Daly, Bubba O'Neil, Courtney Stephen, Simoni Lawrence, Mike Morreale, Rob Hitchcock, Brian Simmons, Louie Butko, Ticats players, coaches and front office personnel, other Canadian Football League experts and many more. Regular shows include Ticats Today, Ticats This Week, Tiger-Cats Game Day, Tiger-Cats Pregame, Tiger-Cats At The Half, Tiger-Cats Postgame, Speaking With The Enemy, Morreale & Hitch, CFL This Week, and so much more. Ticats Audio Network content can be found on the Tiger-Cats YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, at listen.ticats.ca and anywhere else you find podcasts. Please follow, like, leave a review wherever you find our content, and follow the Hamilton Tiger-Cats social media channels to keep up to date with all Ticats Audio Network content.Twitter: @TicatsInsta: @hamiltontigercatsTikTok: @hamiltonticatsFacebook: cfltigercatsYouTube: ticatstvchannel

In this episode of TigerTalk, Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford joins Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery to kick off the 77th academic season, starting August 13. Dr. Ford shares what he's most excited about as a new wave of students arrives on campus, highlights the variety of programs Northeast offers, and discusses the latest campus improvements — including major renovations at Wood Hall and ongoing drainage projects. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and everything happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges. 

In this episode, I speak with Aarish Lakhani, DAAD RISE professional alumnus. RISE professional offers summer research internships in Germany to master's and PhD students at companies in non-university research institutions with strong relations to industry. Aarish is a mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Illinois, and he participated in the program last year. Aarish shares his experience with the program at Fraunhofer Institute in Bremerhaven, working on wind energy projects, creating a deep learning model for wind turbine power production. He highlights the cultural differences between Germany and the US and the importance of learning German and the benefits of the RISE program for his career. He also emphasizes the value of persistence and the impact of international experience on future opportunities. On a personal note, he shares one of his favorite activities, walking the 40 minutes back home past blackberry bushes and filling his lunchbox with the fruits of late summer. Have a listen! A transcript of this conversation is available on www.daad.org.

During their time at Rice Business, Mike Tatz '14 and Corban Bates '15 saw an opportunity to connect veterans with capital and the network needed to start a business. As veterans themselves, they understood how important it is to have the right connections and platform to pitch an idea. With that, the Veterans Business Battle was born. But Mike and Corban's story starts long before Rice. The two first met as students at West Point and followed similar paths — from Division I athletics to Army service to financial services, and eventually entrepreneurship. After launching the Veterans Business Battle and earning their MBAs at Rice, Mike went on to found a CBD company for athletes, and Corban began overseeing direct investments into private companies — now serving as the chief financial officer for one of those investments. Mike and Corban join co-host Maya Pomroy '22 to chat about how their time at West Point shaped them, what brought them to Rice Business and the impact the Veterans Business Battle has had over the past decade. Episode Guide:00:00 From Battlefield to Boardroom: Meet Mike and Corban03:01 Life at West Point: Challenges and Lessons08:38 Transitioning From Military to Business School12:57 Creating the Veterans Business Battle20:18 The First Prize and Investor Opportunities22:15 The Journey and Impact of the Competition24:01 Career Transitions and Personal Growth25:29 Mike's Venture Into the Sports Industry27:57 Corban's Path to Artisan Bakery33:43 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring EntrepreneursOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:The conversation that led Corban from Army to business school09:55: [Corban Bates] Mike's been a huge blessing in my life, 'cause business school wasn't really even on my radar. It's just kind of going up and down the aisles of the career conference, and there were probably 20 schools there, but I didn't talk to any of 'em. It wasn't on my radar, and I talked to Mike. I just ran into him and it's like, “Hey, how have you been?” Like, you know, all for Rice. He was there recruiting for Rice — Rice had a booth — and he starts telling me about it. And he was just about to start this internship at Goldman Sachs, and he had this amazing first year at Rice, and it just sets you up…[10:24] Yeah, I just ran towards it and was extremely fortunate to get in, and Mike completely changed the course of my career. If I hadn't run into him, then things would be very different.On unapologetically pursuing what lights you up34:29: [Mike Tatz] I think a lot of people, even at business school, they get very pigeonholed into thinking that they have to be a consultant or an investment banker because they think about the financial support that it is going to give them or the safety net. There is a gazillion ways to make money out there. I think you have got to be happy. You have got to be happy. And you can be, but you have got to take that leap. You have got to have a plan. And then once you figure out what it is, you go, baby. You go as hard as you can, and you make everybody else think that you are crazy for how hard you are working at whatever you are doing. If you do that, I think good things are going to happen.Why veterans and business school are a perfect match17:09: [Corban Bates] Rice came up with this concept of really bringing on more veterans to their business school. I think it's a great match of veterans being very far along in their leadership development and people management development by the time they're in their late twenties, but being behind on the business concepts. And then you pair, you know, the rest of the civilians who are advanced in their business concepts but are probably lacking on the leadership front — probably haven't led that much in their twenties. And so it's this great pairing where both sides can learn from each other.The business network gap veterans face13:35: [Mike Tatz] I don't think veterans need any special treatment, nor should they expect — or do we expect — any special treatment. But what I do think is the case is that, going back to that last example — let's say I do want to start a business. I'm starting a business. There are a lot of steps to it, but one of those steps that is crucial is capital. And so my network, being in the military, is Army sergeants, Army majors, privates — whatever it may be, right? They're not the Goldman Sachs folks. They're not the people looking to make investments into companies. They're not the people with the means to not only provide financial capital, but mentorship capital and experience capital that you would need as somebody being in the military, coming out and trying — and wanting — to start your own business.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Mike Tatz | LinkedInCorban Bates | LinkedInVeterans Business Battle

In this week's episode of TigerTalk, the award-winning podcast from Northeast Mississippi Community College, President Dr. Ricky G. Ford sits down with Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery to discuss major campus upgrades and construction projects designed to enhance the student experience. Ford shares updates on the transformation of Wood Hall, improvements to Tiger Stadium -- including a new playing surface and video boards -- and renovations at Bonner Arnold Coliseum. The Northeast president also highlights critical drainage projects aimed at improving campus infrastructure. In addition, Ford extends his appreciation to elected officials for helping secure federal funding for Northeast's Adult Education Program. He proudly announces that 302 individuals earned their HiSET diploma during the 2024-2025 program year, with over 30 of them now continuing their education as Northeast students. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and everything happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges.

On this week's episode of the award-winning TigerTalk podcast, Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford joins Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery to shine a light on the hidden gems that keep the college running smoothly behind the scenes. From unsung departments to behind-the-curtain operations, Dr. Ford highlights the people and processes that often go unnoticed but are vital to Northeast's success.Discover how the Adult Education department is transforming lives daily, and hear how the Northeast family culture extends beyond campus walls — with faculty and staff supporting each other through both professional and personal challenges. Dr. Ford also praises the Student Success Center's impact on students' academic journeys and discusses how Northeast comes together to support students in every way — from financial aid to food assistance through the Tiger DEN Food Pantry.Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and everything happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges.

In this week's episode of the award-winning Tiger Talk podcast, join Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as Ford discusses how the college balances tradition with innovation when making decisions that affect the college not only in the present but in the future as well. Ford discusses being open to technology while also giving faculty members the choice on how to teach in their classrooms — either fully technology-based, a hybrid approach combining technology and traditional methods, or adopting a full lecture method. Ford also discusses the ability to reach different generations of students, as previous students had varying learning methods and styles compared to those who are coming through today, and future students will likely have even more diverse methods when they reach Northeast. 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.

Like the discovery of penicillin, it started with an unexpected moment in the lab.Charlie Childs and Madeline Eiken didn't set out to revolutionize drug testing — but a surprise breakthrough led them to create the world's first lab-grown human intestine and win the 2025 Rice Business Plan Competition's grand prize. Their startup, Intero Biosystems, could dramatically reduce clinical trial costs, improve drug safety and advance personalized medicine.Host Maya Pomroy '22  talks with Charlie and Madeline about the moment that sparked it all, their experience winning the 2025 Rice Business Plan Competition, and what's next for their fast-growing startup. Episode Guide:00:59 Meet the Founders: Madeline and Charlie01:49 Their Groundbreaking Innovation of a Lab-Grown Human Intestine03:24 The Journey From Lab to Startup07:06 The Accidental Discovery11:49 Competing in the Rice Business Plan Competition15:52 The Pitch and the Competition Experience19:14 Support and Success at Rice23:37 Future Plans and Advice for Aspiring EntrepreneursOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Charlie on the lab-grown intestines breakthrough04:43 [Charlie Childs]: I think, every day, like, as we develop this model, we are just more and more amazed how amazing, like, nature is and how smart science is. So, what we can do is we take these stem cells, which, like you said, can turn to anything in the body, and then we simulate human development. So, every day we give them… we literally call it Gatorade. Like, the cells live in this red liquid, and it truly is Gatorade. It has, like, glucose and proteins and other things that the cells need to live just like our bodies do. And each day, we give them different proteins that leads them down human developmental time until they turn into the miniature intestines. So, it's actually a lot more simple than you would think. And our breakthrough figured out that a single protein that we switched in this process caused this beautiful thing to form. So, the cells, we joke about this every day, like, the cells just know what to do and we just need to, like, push them in the right direction and they will figure out what to do.From lab partners to startup co-founders 04:06 [Madeline Eiken]: We just know that we work really well together. We know that we have really complementary skill sets. So my background is in engineering, and, while Charlie is a biologist, and so the way that we approach problems is quite different from each other, but we have this, like, really shared interest in commercializing that technology.How does the Rice Business Plan competition stand out in comparison to some others?18:12 [Charlie Childs]: It was like a whole other beast, and people kept warning us, like, leading up to it. They were like, “This is fun, but wait till you get to Rice.” It was just like the breadth of not only the startups, but also the judges and all the people from Rice. It was the investors — like, we were just blown away at how much support and interest there was. And I mean, our first pitch was crazy. Like, people were audibly like gasping and cheering, and it was just such a fun group to pitch to. And we just made so many wonderful connections, and I truly, truly, like, this is like launching us into another realm that we didn't even think we were gonna be able to be in. Both from, like, connections and investors, and just support — we're so thankful.What's next for Intero Biosystems?24:05 [Madeline Eiken]: We're really excited to be really laser-focused on de-risking the company and meeting our milestones with this fundraise. We were really lucky to basically double what we were hoping to raise. So that was really awesome and exciting for us. And because of that extra cushion that we have, we think we can push a lot faster on some of our milestones that we had been thinking about for seed rounds and even Series A. So, right now we're really focusing on onlining our manufacturing and figuring out how we're gonna make the organoids really reproducibly so we can get them into the hands of customers as quickly as we can. So, now the fun part of running the company is what we get to do.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Charlie Childs | LinkedInMadeline Eiken | LinkedInIntero Biosystems

Bubba O'Neil is joined by Matt Bucknor to recap the first half of the game against the Redblacks at Hamilton Stadium. They are joined by Alumnus of Distinction, Less Browne.Cheer on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Edmonton on Saturday, August 2! Take advantage of exclusive travel deals with Porter Airlines, including discounted flights, hotel rates, and game tickets. Go to https://www.ticats.ca/fanflightporter for details.The Ticats Audio Network provides Hamilton Tiger-Cats fans with the most comprehensive, entertaining and informative news and information about their favourite football team. Featuring Steve Milton, Mike Daly, Bubba O'Neil, Courtney Stephen, Simoni Lawrence, Mike Morreale, Rob Hitchcock, Brian Simmons, Louie Butko, Ticats players, coaches and front office personnel, other Canadian Football League experts and many more. Regular shows include Ticats Today, Ticats This Week, Tiger-Cats Game Day, Tiger-Cats Pregame, Tiger-Cats At The Half, Tiger-Cats Postgame, Speaking With The Enemy, Morreale & Hitch, CFL This Week, and so much more. Ticats Audio Network content can be found on the Tiger-Cats YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, at listen.ticats.ca and anywhere else you find podcasts. Please follow, like, leave a review wherever you find our content, and follow the Hamilton Tiger-Cats social media channels to keep up to date with all Ticats Audio Network content.Twitter: @TicatsInsta: @hamiltontigercatsTikTok: @hamiltonticatsFacebook: cfltigercatsYouTube: ticatstvchannel

In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Hilary Rantisi speaks with Dr. Yasser Abu Jamei, psychiatrist and Director General of the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP), Gaza's leading mental health organization. They discuss the how GCMHP has continued to serve Gazans, train mental health providers, and offer critical services and knowledge even in these genocidal conditions. They discuss what it means to "cope" with the horrors and deprivations of genocide, as well as the hope for a ceasefire and what outsiders can do to support the survivors in Gaza.  For more on the GCMHP's work, see their website; Dr. Yasser's June 2025 article, "Living Through the Unimaginable: a Testament from Gaza;" GCMHP's report "Caring for survivors: New report reveals mental health Impact on Gaza" (August 2024); the website & resources of the Gaza Mental Health Foundation;  Yasser Abu-Jamei is a Palestinian psychiatrist who heads the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP), the leading independent Palestinian non-governmental organization providing mental health services to the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip and training for mental health professionals.   He became Director General of GCMHP in January 2014, following the death of its founder, Dr. Eyad El Sarraj. In 2012, he obtained a MSc in Clinical Neuropsychiatry (with distinction) from the University of Birmingham in the UK, Dr. Abu-Jamei is a member of the Task Force which developed the National Mental Health Strategy 2015-2019 in Palestine. He co-led the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Technical Working Group in Gaza Strip and in 2020 co-founded the Palestine Global Mental Health Network.  His interests include capacity building, neuropsychiatry, and advocacy.  In addition to his research and authorship or co-authorship of some twenty academic papers, he has been certified as a Trainer of Trainers in the field of supervision and care for caregivers by the Free University of Berlin. Dr. Abu-Jamei has received several honors, including the Best Alumnus Award from the Said Foundation (2015), the Alumnus of the Year award from the University of Birmingham (2016) and the Community Resilience Award from the Rebuilding Alliance (2021).   Hilary Rantisi grew up in Palestine and has been involved with education and advocacy on the Middle East since her move to the US. She is a 2025 Fellow at FMEP and was most recently the Associate Director of the Religion, Conflict and Peace Initiative (RCPI) and co-instructor of Learning in Context: Narratives of Displacement and Belonging in Israel/Palestine at Harvard Divinity School. She has over two decades of experience in institution building at Harvard, having been the Director of the Middle East Initiative (MEI) at Harvard Kennedy School of Government prior to her current role. She has a BA in Political Science/International Studies from Aurora University and a master's degree in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Chicago. Before moving to the US, Hilary worked at Birzeit University and at the Jerusalem-based Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center. There, she co-edited a photo essay book Our Story: The Palestinians with the Rev. Naim Ateek. She has been involved with community leadership efforts and served on many boards to build multifaceted support for Palestinian rights and a more nuanced understanding of people's lives in the Middle East region. Among them are The Gaza Mental Health Foundation, LE.O Foundation, Friends of Mada al-Carmel, Tawassul Palestinian Art and Culture Society, Friends of Sabeel North America, Palestine Program for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University and Research and Education Collaborative with Al-Quds University.  She has also served as a Board Trustee at Aurora University. Original music by Jalal Yaquoub.

In this week's episode of the award-winning Tiger Talk podcast, join Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as Ford discusses some of the projects that the veteran educator is particularly proud of and how some projects stay with a person throughout the years. Ford talks about seeing students succeed not only at Northeast but going on to earn a four-year degree or through the college's career technical programs and becoming active and contributing members of the community. Ford praises the college's Student Success Center for the work that it has done and will do in making students successful and many other projects that brings pride to the president's face. 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.

In the final hour, Nick and Big Joe ask the question if the Titans have a Top 15 player in the NFL, and Dr Crain has a TAKE. They also took calls, they asked who are the most famous alumnus at all the SEC schools, and Celebrity Birthday 

As the first figure skater to play Elsa in Disney On Ice's Frozen and now a pioneer in the private security industry, Becky Jackson knows a thing or two about creating something from scratch. Before earning an MBA at Rice and becoming an entrepreneur, Becky had an illustrious figure skating career with Team USA and Disney. Now, she's revolutionizing the way private security contractors reach clients with her company ONGUARD. Becky joins co-host Brian Jackson '21 to chat about her journey — from discovering her passion for skating at age 7 and traveling the world with Disney on Ice to founding a business that works with local law enforcement and veterans to make private security more accessible.   Episode Guide:00:00 Introduction to Becky Jackson02:05 Early Life and Figure Skating Journey04:03 Professional Career With Disney on Ice08:56 Transition to Business and Consulting11:57 Pursuing an MBA at Rice University14:07 Founding ONGUARD16:34 ONGUARD's Mission and Future22:35 Connection With Veterans and Pitch Competitions23:54 Reflections on Entrepreneurship and Teamwork30:10 Advice for Aspiring EntrepreneursOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Lessons from being a solo founder24:49: Being a solo founder, I've learned the importance of a team, and how essential it is to have a really strong team with you. And so I think, in that respect, the experience with Disney always was—so incredibly grateful to be surrounded by artists and engineers who really love and, you know, are really committed to their work. And so that's been an important lesson for me: that you can't just go it alone. You can't just brute-force your way into starting a company. You really need to listen to experts. You need to know when to bring in the right people. And so, I think it's been a tougher journey for that, just kind of starting this off solo. But I quickly learned—and, you know, being at Rice helped me learn that too—is that, no, you need to learn to delegate, and you need to really tap into the network and the world around you.You're never too old to go chase a dream27:32: You can really use the skills, but more importantly, the network to do anything that you, you know, really want to do. And something that I'm passionate about is that during my time at Rice, we had the slogan, “Rice Business, You Belong Here.” And that means, you know, can mean so much to everyone. It can mean something different. But for me, I always took the chance to think about it in terms of age, and that you're never too old to go chase a dream, or you're not too advanced in your career to start something new. And I think that's an important message that I always tell prospective students.How Becky found consulting after skating09:19: One thing I knew for sure is I wanted to work in some kind of, you know, dynamic environment. I had come from tour that was one city after the next, and it was traveling and meeting new people and new challenges every week. And so that's—that's where I landed in the world of consulting. I thought, oh, great—like traveling every week, new challenges, a lot of ambiguity. And so I thought that—that that's the thing for me.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Becky Jackson | LinkedInONGUARD

In this week's episode of the award-winning Tiger Talk podcast, join Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as Ford discusses how recruiting has changed over the years. Ford talks about the changes in the students that the college recruits and how the college's recruiting department has to adapt throughout the year to recruit students. Ford talks about how the recruitment office and enrollment services meets not only students face-to-face, but online and out in the community as well. 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.

In this week's episode of the award-winning Tiger Talk podcast, join Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as Ford discusses the recent developments surrounding funding for Mississippi's community colleges. Ford outlines the $57 million cut made by the Mississippi Legislature and how institutions across the state are working to absorb and adapt to this significant budget shortfall. Ford also highlights the vital role that community colleges play -- not only in education but also in workforce development and economic impact across Mississippi. Ford emphasizes the value these institutions bring to local communities, the state economy, and to the thousands of students Northeast and the rest of the community colleges throughout the Magnolia State serve each year. 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.

In this week's episode of the award-winning Tiger Talk podcast, join Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as Dr. Ford discusses how Northeast stays connected to the communities it serves—and why those connections are essential to the college's mission.Dr. Ford explores the role of “community” in community college and shares the various ways Northeast engages with its five-county service district: Alcorn, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo, and Union counties—and beyond. He talks about the presence of satellite campuses in several counties and the importance of maintaining contact and offering classes in all five. The college not only provides academic education to the citizens of each county but also strives to be a strong economic partner with local businesses, leaders, and industries.Dr. Ford also highlights how Northeast helps strengthen the region's economy by producing a well-educated workforce ready to meet the needs of incoming and existing businesses. He praises the award-winning Adult Education program for its dual role in helping individuals earn their High School Equivalency (HiSET) diplomas and equipping them with the skills needed to become highly skilled members of the workforce.Plus, stay updated on the latest in athletics, academics, workforce development, and more at one of the nation's premier community colleges.Missed an episode? All Northeast Tiger Talk episodes are archived at https://nemcctigertalk.simplecast.com. 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.

Retail executive Ramon Marquez can point to virtually every store in a shopping mall and explain how he helped that brand grow. With a passion for retail dating back to his childhood, he's built a career as a leader in merchandising, product management and retail operations for major retailers like JCPenney, Abercrombie & Fitch, Old Navy, and is now shaping the future of Kmart and Sears. As a newly minted MBA graduate, Ramon gained not only a degree from Rice, but also a meaningful board appointment with Panama-based company, Effluz. After working with Effluz on his Global Field Experience, Ramon remained close with the company, which was founded by Taylin Luzcando and specializes in premature baby clothing and accessories. Ramon and Taylin join co-host Brian Jackson '21 to chat about Ramon's career journey from his grandfather's general store in Mexico to the C-suite of some of the biggest global retailers, as well as why he decided to pursue an MBA at Rice and how he's made an impact at Effluz. Founder Taylin also shares the personal origins of Effluz and why entrepreneurs should jump at the chance to partner with Rice's Global Field Experience program. Episode Guide:01:41 Ramon's Early Career and Rise in Retail06:05 Leadership and Adaptability in Retail07:41 Pursuing an MBA at Rice Business10:52 Joining the Board of a Panamanian Startup13:34 Insights on Retail and Future Plans21:03 Personal Life and Community Involvement26:10 Meet Taylin Luzcando, founder of Effluz31:11 Taylin's Experience with Rice's Global Field Experience ProgramOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:How one class changed Ramon's path19:14: [Ramon Marquez] Towards the end of the MBA... and one of the very last classes I took was Life of Meaning. It's an entrepreneurship lab. And what that class does is that it takes a look at where you want to be and how you fill the gap. And we did a lot of frameworks that helped me map out what is next. So, there were a lot of great things that came out of it. One was that I really didn't have a plan in writing or a roadmap to where I want to land. In the class, part of the frameworks will get you back to, like, what are you passionate about? What is it that you wanted to do when you were a kid? What are the things that you don't want to be left undone? And it helped me realize that, you know, there's an entrepreneurial side of me that I have never explored.Why Ramon says passion for your job matter14:37: [Ramon Marquez] I encourage everyone, whatever you do, position yourself in a place where you love it, that you're so intrigued and so inquisitive and so passionate. And a lot of people come to me and say, you know, “How do you get your job?” And I say, “Well, you have to be interested and passionate about retail. If you're not, don't get my job, because then it's too much pressure. It's too hectic. It's too fast. It's too vulnerable. It's too difficult right now. Retail is really difficult.” But if you think about the fact that, you know, merchants have been around for thousands of years and commerce has existed from the beginning of time, retail's not going to go away. It's just the way that we will get to know what it's like. And for that, I don't have the answer, in case you were wondering.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Ramon Marquez | LinkedInTaylin Luzcando | LinkedInEffluz

In this week's episode of the award-winning Tiger Talk podcast, join Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery as Ford gives listeners a look into the behind-the-scenes world of Northeast and some of the things that people may not know about one of the nation's top community colleges. Ford discusses some of the hidden gems and begins the podcast by giving credit to the facilities and maintenance staff for the way they present the campus every day. 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.

An SOTGU alumnus recently saved a life by using his training and a Rapid Tourniquet. We bring the gentleman on to discuss the incident and consider how his training made a difference. There are many lessons to be learned. During our SOTG Homeroom we will examine the recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. A missionary from the Religion of Peace and Brotherhood decided to spread the message of love and tolerance by throwing fire bombs at a crowd of people. What could have been done to stop him? Also, during our Tech Talk from EOTech Inc., Professor Paul will consider the importance of testing gear and accessories. Tune in and listen louder. TOPICS COVERED THIS EPISODE Huge thanks to our Partners: EOTech | Spike's Tactical [0:02:25] EOTech Talk - EOTechInc.com TOPIC: It is always important to test your gear - The C93, or That Other 5.56mm Rifle www.shootingnewsweekly.com [0:13:52] SOTG Homeroom - SOTG University TOPIC: Man attacks Colorado crowd with firebombs, 8 people injured www.reuters.com [0:31:04] SOTGU Alumnus Saves Life with Rapid Tourniquet - ShopSOTG.com

Despite entering college as a pre-med major, Corey Layne Crouch '13 found her calling in the classroom after working as a teacher's aide for a kindergarten class. Switching majors, she set out on a path to transform the education system from within. Corey's entrepreneurial mindset in her work as a high school English teacher and school principal led her to Rice's Professional MBA program. Now, she's the chief program officer for AI for Education — an organization providing AI literacy training to educators and championing responsible use of AI in the education ecosystem. In this episode, Corey joins host Maya Pomroy '22 to chat about her pivots from pre-med to English to her current role as an educational tech executive — as well as her time at Rice Business, the importance of supporting AI literacy and the innovative ways she's influenced the education system. Episode Guide:00:00 Introduction to Corey Layne Crouch02:15 From Pre-Med to Kindergarten Teacher05:21 Teach for America and Moving to Houston08:23 Becoming a Principal and Pursuing an MBA17:04 Transition to EdTech and AI in Education25:07 Challenges and Misconceptions of AI in Schools30:26 Future of Education with AI38:22 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:On building AI literacy through tool-agnostic workshops[30:26] Maya Pomroy: So, tell me some of the work that you do — because AI for Education is really tackling one of the, I mean, this is one of the biggest shifts in modern learning.[31:41] Corey Layne Crouch: So we provide workshops and thing that we do, as well as that we're tool agnostic. We do have opinions about tools and where, you know, what's safe and what's fit for purpose, and what we think isn't quite yet, and how to integrate it in that way. 'Cause the technology is going to continue to evolve, but we really believe a foundation of which is rooted in durable skills, right, of critical thinking, and evaluation and understanding the best tool for a job and how to be community oriented. That is the work that we do. And, of course, we teach people how to use the tools and drive towards outcomes with them while we're laying that foundation as well.How Houston's education scene inspired Corey's bold, equitable innovation07:16: Houston is such a great city, as you know, to be a young professional in and, and to start your career, let alone having the opportunity to be a part of the thriving, innovative education landscape there. I really think that it helped me think much bigger about what it meant to be an education and what was possible with innovation, and really moving the needle toward equity and supporting communities that historically, you know, weren't being serviced in the way that they deserved.Why entrepreneurship skills is essential for an AI-driven world32:46: I really believe that students need entrepreneurial skills, and not necessarily because every student is going to go off and start their own business per se, but at the root of it, entrepreneurial skills is about, you know, understanding what you're trying to drive to, or what's the job to be done, seeing what's the diagnosis, what are the challenges, or, you know, opportunities to do better, and then understanding the resources that you have, and moving forward with strategy, as if it's a puzzle piece and, you know, it's strategy, but it's also about just seeing that opportunity and having the confidence and the belief in your own critical thinking, your own resourcefulness, and your ability to collaborate and build relationship with others in order to solve a problem or drive something forward.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Corey Layne Crouch | AI for EducationCorey on LinkedIn

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 Ford updates listeners about the ongoing upgrades and improvements across the NEMCC campus. From facility renovations to infrastructure enhancements, Dr. Ford walks listeners through the transformative projects aimed at improving the student experience and preparing the college for future growth. 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.

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 how each academic division and department is going over and beyond what many collegiate departments are doing to be innovative and impactful to the students. Ford talks about how each division and department, in its own way, is helping to impact student lives. From Career and Technical Education to the Vice President of Instruction's Office to the friendships and technology used in the Division of Fine Arts and beyond, Ford spotlights some of the emerging technological usages by the Northeast faculty and staff and how it helps to make the college one of the top community colleges in the nation. 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.

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 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 what initiatives that the college is currently doing and how they are progressing and also how the veteran educator sees each initiative playing out over the next few years. 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.

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.

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