Rasheeda Augustine      

University of Rochester, Simon Business School

“Easy-going, Intellectually curious Go-Getter with a heart of gold looking to make a positive impact.”

Hometown: Pointe Michel, Dominica

Fun Fact About Yourself: Although I was born and raised in the Caribbean I rarely function well in the heat.

Undergraduate School and Major: Michigan State University / BA in Hospitality Business with a specialization in Hospitality Real Estate and Development

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Revere Hotel Boston Common/ Sales Coordinator

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment in my career so far is my successful leadership of a multicultural, housekeeping team of 32 at the Battery Wharf Hotel in Boston, MA.  As an Assistant Director of Housekeeping, I was entrusted with the task to improve cleanliness scores and daily operations over a short period of time. The team went on to achieve 90% in cleanliness scores, a 20% improvement from the previous year for this 150-room boutique hotel, by my ability to create synergy and a strong community. It was in this role I realized the importance of not just focusing on the task itself but on the whole person who is on your team, who in turn will take care of your external guests. The dynamic changed from the team delivering the minimum to going the extra mile so we that all succeeded together.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? My MBA classmates are incredibly supportive. Within the class, there is not just multicultural diversity, but also professional. My classmates do not hesitate to leverage their strengths and offer to get on a call with you to talk through an assignment for example if you ask for help. Even in this virtual environment, we are still able to build this connection that makes us #simonstrong.

Rochester Simon is known for being “unabashedly analytical.” Why does the program’s focus on quantitative analysis and decision-making appeal to you? How do you intend to leverage this approach as a student and professional?  The program’s focus on quantitative analysis and decision-making is one of the key reasons why I chose Simon. During my hospitality career, data was used to make management decisions that ranged from determining staffing levels to offering certain promotions. The importance of data has only grown over the years and being able to thrive in quantitative analysis and using data to make decisions are paramount to the way businesses will continue to operate in the future. I trust that Simon will help me to improve in that area.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Embarking on this journey to pursue an MBA meant that I will be outside of my comfort zone. It was important to me to have that support system to guide me along and the Simon staff. The Admissions team, Benet Center, Academic Advising and the Office of Student Life has given me just that.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? There are several clubs on my radar: For professional growth as a career switcher, I look forward to Simon Finance and Investment Club (SFIC) and Simon School Venture Fund (SSVF) – which is a $2 million early-stage seed fund. For diversity and continued education. I am joining Simon Africa Business Club and Simon Women in Business (SWiB). To Give back to the community, it will be Simon Volunteers.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? ‘If you could use one word to describe yourself what would it be?’ This was the most challenging question for me as it forced me to reflect on all the experiences that brought me to this very moment, a Zoom call with Julie Sadwick of Admissions. My response was and still would be Resilience. My ability to persevere despite difficulties both personally and professionally have made me who I am and the quality that will enable me to do well at Simon and future endeavors. 

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? As you think of Business School, it is important for you to be self-aware and to determine if this rigorous but rewarding step is right for you. In my previous career, I came to the point where I felt like I had accomplished the goals I set for myself. An MBA represented an opportunity to pivot into a new career and continue to be challenged intellectually.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Ross at University of Michigan and Johnson at Cornell.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? There were a few factors that I considered when deciding which programs to apply to such as a reputable Finance program, academic rigor, hands-on experiential learning opportunities, and community. I researched school websites to find out about school offerings, visited school booths at MBA Fairs, and set up informal interviews with current students and newly minted alumni to get an idea of the culture.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? There is an accumulation of moments that shaped who I am, but my defining moment was when I lost a parent to cancer at a young age. My mother was my world, and I am happy to say she lives through me; most of my best qualities come from her. Her positive influence, desire to serve and give back to community, foresight, and business savvy are few qualities I plan to emulate . In an attempt to morph this pain into purpose, I desire to give women tools to succeed in the financial realm that will directly make an impact generationally. I know my life would have been hugely different if certain decisions were not made but there is always room for improvement. That is where I plan to come in.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? In the C-Suite of a Fortune100 company while working on my passion project geared to the advancement of women and maximizing opportunities to help others succeed.

DON’T MISS: MEET ROCHESTER SIMON’S MBA CLASS OF 2022