Metadata
Title
Office of Belonging and Engagement
Category
general
UUID
cebb53de7cea4960887b0c48575d01db
Source URL
https://business.rice.edu/about/belonging-and-engagement
Parent URL
https://business.rice.edu/
Crawl Time
2026-03-18T05:14:55+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown 
# Office of Belonging and Engagement

**Source**: https://business.rice.edu/about/belonging-and-engagement
**Parent**: https://business.rice.edu/

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##### Have a Question?

### [Regina Edwards](https://business.rice.edu/person/regina-edwards)

Assistant Director

[713-348-2786](tel:713-348-2786)
[Email](#)

## The Office of Belonging and Engagement

We seek to foster positive, productive collaboration among all members of our Rice Business community—students, faculty, staff, alumni and other stakeholders. By ensuring that every member of the community feels welcomed, valued and respected, our efforts will create and sustain a community well-versed and equipped with competencies and resources necessary to succeed in a world that recognizes and embraces our individual and collective uniqueness.

We intentionally create a tight-knit, collaborative culture at Rice Business where we respect and value our differences, leveraging them as sources of strength and innovation — on campus — and in the business world.

[Our Strategy Brief](https://business.rice.edu/sites/default/files/2025-02/rb-belonging-strategy-brief.pdf)   [Meet Our Office](#meet)   [Resources](#resources)

### [Women's Preview Weekend](https://business.rice.edu/womens-preview-weekend)

This recruiting event is a great way to meet current students, faculty, staff and alumni and to learn more about what Rice Business has to offer.

### [Sparking Success Conference](https://business.rice.edu/sparking-success-conference)

Held every October, the Sparking Success Conference is designed to provide a forum for awareness, dialogue and skill-building around issues of belonging as it relates to the business world.

### [About Our Culture](https://business.rice.edu/rice-mba/tight-knit-culture)

We’re a collaborative, selective business school with a unique learning culture. Our tight-knit community means you’ll know your classmates and professors by name, all while being in the same building.

### [Student Associations](https://business.rice.edu/rice-mba/beyond-classroom/student-clubs#explore)

Several student clubs and organizations exist to help the Rice Business community to share, explore career opportunities and support long-term relationships.

> I refuse to be deterred by obstacles; instead, I am driven to contribute to a society where everyone has equal access to education, opportunities and success. This uncommon journey led me to Rice's Executive MBA program.
>
> #### Anne Santos
>
> EMBA ‘25
>
> [Meet Anne Santos](https://business.rice.edu/news/meet-executive-mba-student-anne-santos)

## Interested in Rice Business?

[Request More Information](#)

[Close](#)

## ADMIT IT: RICE BUSINESS MBA BLOG

###

Student Life

### [Celebrating Women in Business: Together, We Will Break Boundaries](https://business.rice.edu/admissions-blog/celebrating-women-business-together-we-will-break-boundaries")

This International Women’s Day, Rice Business is proud to celebrate the women who are shaping industries, opening new doors and redefining what’s possible in business and beyond. Our school is committed to accelerating action and elevating women leaders through its organizations, faculty research, conferences and other year-round events. \

[Read more](https://business.rice.edu/admissions-blog/celebrating-women-business-together-we-will-break-boundaries)

## The Rice Business Student Experience

### Resources

These learning and discovery resources are meant to spark thought, reflection and self-education.

- Office of Belonging and Engagement Events

  ##### Houston Impact Series:

  The Houston Impact Series highlights influential leaders who are positively influencing the Houston Community. Previous speakers include:

  - Fall 2025 - Arianne Dowdell, vice president, chief culture & engagement officer, Houston Methodist, Prashant Kale\
    Associate Professor of Strategic Management, Rice Business
  - Spring 2025 - Norma Torres Mendoza, Senior Director, EY-Parthenon, Danika Brown, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Center for Civic Leadership, Rice University

  ##### Fireside Chat Series:

  Exemplary Stories of corporate initiatives. Held in fall and spring semesters. Previous speakers include:

  - Fall 2024 - Richa Bansal, founder and executive career coach at Pinkcareers, Jessica Campbell, executive director of the Career Development Office at Rice Business
  - Spring 2024 - Janis Burke, chief executive officer for the Harris County - Houston Sports Authority, Dr. Anthea Zhang, Fayez Sarofim Vanguard Chair Professor of Strategy at Rice Business
  - Fall 2023 - Julian Duncan, chief marketing officer for the Houston Rockets, Dr. Connie Porter, senior associate dean and associate clinical professor of marketing
  - Spring 2023 - Jerry Guerrero, director, diversity, equity and inclusion, Roku, Brad Burke, managing director, Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship
  - Fall 2022 - David Enrique Ruiz, senior vice president, community relations manager, Bank of America, Dean Peter Rodriguez, Rice Business Dean and Professor of Strategic Management
  - Spring 2022 - Janet Pope, vice president, corporate social responsibility, North America, CapGemini Dr. Doug Schuler, associate professor of business and public policy, Jones Graduate School of Business

  ##### Annual Conference

  Sparking Success: A forum for awareness, dialogue and skill-building around issues of culture, belonging and engagement in the business world. [Learn more](https://business.rice.edu/rice-business-diversity-and-inclusion-conference)

  ##### Beyond BUSI

  Beyond BUSI is a series of quarterly programs for undergraduate students centered around three core values: community building, resource sharing and development. The events foster opportunities for connection, provide undergraduates with exposure and access to Rice Business resources, and create opportunities for personal growth and professional development.

  ##### Scholar Talk

  The Rice Business Office of Belonging and Engagement hosts Scholar Talk, programming for doctoral students, to help foster interdisciplinary collaboration and connections among students as they navigate their doctoral journey. The programs change throughout the year, covering topics like positionality and community building.  

  ##### Continuing the Conversation Workshop

  Rice Business is dedicated to making academic experiences inclusive and forward thinking. We’re proud to support staff through learning opportunities. Previous topics include:

  - Disability & Accessibility
  - Gender
  - Race, Allyship, and Inclusion
  - Learnings and Looking Ahead

  ##### EmpowerHer

  EmpowerHer is an annual community building event for women at Rice Business. The event invites undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff to connect, engage in thoughtful table topic conversation, share their experiences and resources, and grow in community with one another.
- The Rice Experience + Campus Resources

  ##### Premier Teaching

  - [The Virani Undergraduate School of Business](https://business.rice.edu/undergraduate-programs/virani-undergraduate-school-business)
  - [Faculty Research](https://business.rice.edu/faculty-research/research)
  - [Global Programs and Experiential Learning](https://business.rice.edu/rice-business-global)

  ##### Build Thriving Urban Communities

  - [Board Fellows](https://business.rice.edu/rice-business-board-fellows)
  - [Want to Connect With Industry Leaders? Look No Further Than Houston](https://business.rice.edu/admissions-blog/connect-with-business-leaders-houston)

  ##### Generate Sustainable Futures

  - [Rice Business Energy Case Competition](https://business.rice.edu/rice-business-energy-case-competition)
  - [Rice Energy Finance Summit](https://business.rice.edu/rice-energy-finance-summit)
  - [How Rice MBAs Are Leading the Energy Transition](https://business.rice.edu/admissions-blog/rice-mba-lead-energy-transition)
  - [Decision Making in Energy Markets](https://business.rice.edu/wisdom/peer-reviewed-research/energy-ops-decisions)

  ##### Lead Innovations in Health

  - [The MBA Student's Guide to Well-Being](https://business.rice.edu/admissions-blog/mba-students-guide-well-being)
  - [How to Make Major Decisions](https://business.rice.edu/wisdom/peer-reviewed-research/how-to-make-major-decisions)
  - [Take Your Medicine](https://business.rice.edu/wisdom/peer-reviewed-research/tackling-biggest-obstacle-hiv-treatment-compliance)

  ##### Responsible Artificial Intelligence

  - [AI is Providing a Fresh Perspective to Everyday Problems](https://business.rice.edu/wisdom/ai-providing-fresh-perspective-everyday-problems)
  - [Transforming AI Literacy in the Classroom](https://business.rice.edu/owlhaveyouknow/season-5-episode-9)

  ##### Campus Resources

  - [Access @ Rice](http://access.blogs.rice.edu/)
  - [Baker Institute for Public Policy](https://www.bakerinstitute.org/)
  - [Center for the Study of Women, Gender, and Sexuality](https://cswgs.rice.edu/)
  - [Disability Resource Center](https://drc.rice.edu/)
  - [Fondren Library- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Titles](https://onesearch.library.rice.edu/discovery/collectionDiscovery?vid=01RICE_INST:RICE&collectionId=81751099310005251)
  - [Kinder Institute for Urban Research](http://kinder.rice.edu/)
  - [Military MBA](https://business.rice.edu/military)
  - [Office of International Students and Scholars](https://oiss.rice.edu/)
  - [Office of Multicultural Affairs](https://oma.rice.edu/)
  - [Student Health Services](http://health.rice.edu/)
  - [The SAFE Office](https://safe.rice.edu/)
  - [Wellbeing and Counseling Center](https://wellbeing.rice.edu/counseling-center/about-us)
  - [Women at Rice Business](https://business.rice.edu/women-rice-business)
- Dimensions of Community

  ##### Intergenerational Considerations

  - [How to Manage a Multi Generational Team](https://hbr.org/2021/08/how-to-manage-a-multi-generational-team)\
    *Harvard Business Review*
  - [What is an Intergenerational Workplace?](https://www.inclusiveemployers.co.uk/blog/managing-intergenerational-workplaces/)\
    *Inclusive Employers*
  - [Gen Z: The Workers Who Want It All](https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220613-gen-z-the-workers-who-want-it-all)\
    *BBC*
  - [How to Manage Millennials in the Workplace](https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/15974-millennials-in-the-workplace.html)\
    *Business News Daily*

  ##### Culture

  - [What Rubi's Quinceañera Can Teach The U.S. About Latinos](https://business.rice.edu/wisdom/features/what-rubis-quinceanera-can-teach-us-about-latinos)\
    *Rice Business Wisdom*
  - [The Impact of Culture In the Workplace](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2021/12/01/the-impact-of-culture-in-the-workplace/?sh=7f7aa88c1285)\
    *Forbes*

  ##### Disability

  - [Digital Accessibility: Accessible Documents](https://access.rice.edu/guides/docs)\
    *Rice University*
  - [Accessibility & Inclusion For All](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAxnE2XzL0k) (3 min video)\
    *World Economics Forum*
  - [Accessible design means better design](https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/mckinsey-design/how-we-help-clients/design-blog/accessible-design-means-better-design)\
    *McKinsey & Co*

  ##### First Generation Professionals

  - [How Does Your Company Support ‘First-Generation Professionals”?](https://hbr.org/2022/01/how-does-your-company-support-first-generation-professionals)\
    *Harvard Business Review*
  - [Understanding the Needs of First-Generation Professionals](https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sd/news_article/453315/_PARENT/CC_layout_details/false)\
    *National Career Development Association*

  ##### Gender and LGBTQ+

  - [Houston is a top city for women in tech. Gender equity will make it better.](https://kinder.rice.edu/urbanedge/houston-top-city-women-tech-gender-equity-will-make-it-better)\
    *Kinder Institute for Urban Research*
  - [About 5% of young adults in the U.S. say their gender is different from their sex assigned at birth](https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/06/07/about-5-of-young-adults-in-the-u-s-say-their-gender-is-different-from-their-sex-assigned-at-birth/)\
    *Pew Research Center.*
  - [How to make workplace more equitable for trans people](https://www.npr.org/2020/06/02/867780063/4-ways-to-make-your-workplace-equitable-for-trans-people)\
    *NPR*
  - [Should Women Apply for the MBA Differently Than Men?](https://poetsandquants.com/2021/03/03/should-women-apply-for-the-mba-differently-than-men/)\
    *Poets & Quants*
  - [Women and Business School 2022](https://www.gmac.com/market-intelligence-and-research/research-library/diversity-enrollment/2022-women-and-business-school-infographic#:~:text=Forty-four%20percent%20of%20GMAT%E2%84%A2%20exams%20were%20taken%20by,that%20business%20school%20prepared%20them%20for%20leadership%20positions.) (Infographic)\
    *Graduate Management Admission Council*

  ##### Global Perspectives

  - [Do Your Global Teams See DEI as an American Issue?](https://hbr.org/2022/03/do-your-global-teams-see-dei-as-an-american-issue)\
    *Harvard Business Review*
  - [Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in International Business: Dimensions and Challenges](https://insights.aib.world/article/36582-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-international-business-dimensions-and-challenges)\
    *Academy of International Business*

  ##### Military and Veterans

  - [How Veterans Can Transition From The Service Into Business Roles](https://poetsandquants.com/2022/08/31/how-veterans-can-transition-from-the-service-into-business-roles/?pq-category=admissions&pq-category-2=veterans-active-duty)\
    *Poets & Quants*
- Houston Chambers of Commerce

  - [Asian Chamber of Commerce](http://www.asianchamber-hou.org)
  - [Greater Houston Black Chamber](http://www.ghbcc.com)
  - [Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce](http://www.houstonlgbtchamber.com)
  - [Greater Houston Partnership](https://www.houston.org/)
  - [Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce](http://www.ghwcc.org)
  - [Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce](http://www.houstonhispanicchamber.com)
  - [Houston Regional Veterans Chamber of Commerce](https://hrvcc.org/)
  - [Indo American Chamber of Commerce](http://www.iaccgh.com)\
- Other Resources

  - [Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network](https://adata.org/)
  - [Anti-Defamation League](https://www.adl.org/)
  - [Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business](https://www.aacsb.edu/)
  - [Catalyst](https://www.catalyst.org/)
  - [Forte Foundation - Rice Business Strategic Partner](http://www.fortefoundation.org/)
  - [Holocaust Museum Houston](https://hmh.org/)
  - [Montrose Center](https://montrosecenter.org/)
  - [Houston Area Women’s Center](https://hawc.org)

blank

## Meet Our Office

### [Constance Elise Porter](https://business.rice.edu/person/constance-elise-porter-0)

Senior Associate Dean\
Associate Clinical Professor of Marketing, Rice Business

### [Lina Y. Bell](https://business.rice.edu/person/lina-y-bell)

Executive Director

### [Meghan R. Griggs, Ph.D.](https://business.rice.edu/person/meghan-r-griggs-phd)

Director

### [Regina Edwards](https://business.rice.edu/person/regina-edwards)

Assistant Director

### [Ana Romo](https://business.rice.edu/person/ana-romo)

Office Administrator

[Read More](https://business.rice.edu/story-of-our-work)

## Get To Know Us

- [About Houston](https://business.rice.edu/rice-mba/life-rice/home-houston)
- [About Our Tight-Knit Culture](https://business.rice.edu/rice-mba/tight-knit-culture)
- [Clubs and Organizations](https://business.rice.edu/rice-mba/beyond-classroom/student-clubs)
- [Women at Rice Business](https://business.rice.edu/about/belonging-and-engagement/women-rice-business)
- [Military at Rice](https://business.rice.edu/military)
- [Disability Resource Center](https://drc.rice.edu/)
- [Rice Business Black Alumni Gateway](https://business.rice.edu/rice-business-black-alumni-gateway)

##### Have a Question?

### [Regina Edwards](https://business.rice.edu/person/regina-edwards)

Assistant Director

[713-348-2786](tel:713-348-2786)
[Email](#)