Meet The UC Riverside School Of Business MBA Class Of 2024 by: Jeff Schmitt on December 02, 2022 | 3,785 Views December 2, 2022 Copy Link Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email Share on LinkedIn Share on WhatsApp Share on Reddit When Wayne Gretzky was asked why he was successful, the hockey great made a timeless observation: “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.” By that, Gretzky meant that top performers gravitate to where the action – innovation and opportunity – will happen. In the process, they position themselves to make an impact. You could say MBAs descend on the UC Riverside A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management (AGSM) for the same reason. They want to be a step ahead, anticipating how the world will pivot to their advantage. At the UCR AGSM, that translates to a cross-disciplinary, tech-laden, globally-conscious curriculum that prepares graduates for where business is heading. The UCR Bell Tower at the center of campus where clubs gather and major events are held A PLACE FOR SOCIAL MOBILITY Here, the students’ multicultural perspectives and underdog roots serve as major advantages. In the Class of 2024, 54% of first-years are women and 54% hail from outside the United States – populations swelling in c-suites and specialized ranks alike. Beyond class composition, the UCR AGSM reflects the diverse educational and professional backgrounds of global business professionals. In this year’s class, you’ll find manufacturing managers, computer engineers, and financial analysts who’ve worked in decorated firms like Amazon, General Electric, and Allstate. In other words, AGSM MBAs are exposed to the best business ideas and practices from their classmates as much as their professors. In business, the puck is also gliding towards equity. Across the larger university, equity is more than an aspiration. For the past four years, U.S. News has ranked UC Riverside #1 for Social Mobility – a combination of Pell Grants and graduation rates. At AGSM, social mobility enjoys a different meaning. The MBA program is a place, says first-year Nadia Witt, that welcomes “people like me” – students who don’t always fit the mainstream ideal or check all the boxes. More than that, adds classmate Yiqun Li, AGSM provides support: the kind MBAs need to anticipate where business will shift and identify how they can bring value. “The resources for career development and the down-to-earth vibe is what led me to choose UCR’s MBA program,” Li writes. “The university has made great achievements in social mobility, which means students here are truly able to change their lives. From faculty to students, AGSM’s focus is not just on academic results; they also care about our employment opportunities. Many job fairs, employment workshops, and other events are offered, and resources, such as the Career Development Center and Handshake, are always available for students seeking opportunities.” Students networking with employers at the School of Business career fair SKILLS EMPLOYERS SEEK How does the UCR AGSM stay ahead of change? For one, the school listens to employers. That starts with a STEM designation, which enables international students to work in the United States for three years after graduation without a special visa. In reality, the STEM designation is an outgrowth of the UCR AGSM’s long-time commitment to technology and innovation. Such programming is one reason why recent AGSM MBA grads have landed coveted roles in companies like Disney, Amazon, Deloitte, and Ernst & Young. “Graduates from the STEM-focused program are in high demand for all businesses,” explains Dr. Rami Zwick, Associate Dean of Graduate Programs, In a 2021 interview with P&Q. “Many businesses are shifting to using technology and big data to reduce costs and predict future events/trends, improving forecasting and project planning. The STEM designation has a strong foundation and extensive training in data analytics, data visualization, scientific research, programming languages, and so forth. This is very attractive to prospective students because it offers employment flexibility across business disciplines.” UCR AGSM’s advantages extend far beyond its future-focused programming. Hoping to gain work experience to ease the transition to a new industry or function? The school requires an internship through its Field in Management course. Looking for state-of-the-art facilities? This year, the AGSM is breaking ground on a spacious complex, replete with tech-infused classrooms, private study rooms, open collaboration space, and exterior terraces to enjoy the California sun. Seeking a strong network that’ll open doors? UCR boasts the largest undergraduate business program in the state with 20,000 UCR AGSM alumni alone (not counting 136,000 total university alumni). Through its Executive Mentor Program, the school can also pair MBAs with industry leaders and practitioners – giving them insider access to trade secrets and networks that ultimately produce advancement opportunities. Of course, UCR AGSM is situated just an hour away from Los Angeles, with its deep foothold in the entertainment, technology, supply chain, and aeronautics industries. Women in Business leaders with UCR Business Executive Fellow Anita Alamshaw ’91, executive director and general manager of U.S. Value and Access at Amgen A SUPPORTIVE CULTURE…AND BEACHES! Such offerings open up possibilities. In the end, the AGSM MBA isn’t just about snagging the puck to gain validation, renown, and security. In the brave new world, future success is predicated on balance and community as much as skill and insight. For the Class of 2024, there is no better place to recharge than hanging out at the beach. Joanna Alice Sippetts, looks forward to taking car rides to the shores so she can catch up with classmates and find new food venues. The best beach? Yiqun Li points to Huntington Beach – the famed “Surf City” whose breezes and boards have inspired many Beach Boys refrains on fun and freedom. “As one of our MBA professors said, pursuing an MBA is about business and that mindset, but it is also about enjoying life,” Li explains. “AGSM held a series of amazing orientations, welcome events, and a bonfire party at Huntington Beach, which certainly taught us how to enjoy life while studying. After that, we have hung out a lot at this beautiful beach. Walking around the beach, listening to the sound of waves, and feeling the power of nature really gives us inspiration. It’s also a good place to release pressure after a week of classes and assignments.” The AGSM has all the ingredients: Innovative programming, surging momentum, and a job-rich location with sunny weather and every imaginable recreation within driving distance. Add to that a supportive environment. The MBA program is small and intimate; the Class of 2024 alone is just 68 students. That makes MBAs a center of attention, with the student-to-faculty ratio of 4:1. In other words, MBAs get time and resources in a “high-touch” environment where every class member brings unique value and no student is ever left behind. At the AGSM, MBAs are stretched and encouraged, and faculty and students alike act as safety nets. This is what Stephanie Jimenez experienced at UCR as an undergrad majoring in finance. Now – paying the ultimate compliment to her alma mater – she has returned to prepare her for the next step in her career. “I was exposed to and made aware of all the amazing resources and opportunities the school offers along with the welcoming, supportive environment,” Jimenez tells P&Q. “I knew I wanted to have resources, such as the Career Development Center for résumé and cover letter reviews and mock interviews to ensure I am prepared for my job search. The support I have received from the faculty has always been phenomenal, especially during the application process. Everyone I reached out to was always so welcoming and encouraged me to ask all the questions I had.” A School of Business Happy Hour on The Barn’s outside patio FROM WIMBLEDON TO AMAZON Who makes up the AGSM Class of 2024? Start with Pujith Sai Kumar Reddy Nooka, who speaks six languages (and is currently mastering a seventh – Japanese). He previously worked in Amazon’s Development Center, where he tested Alexa and Fire software and devices. He chose UCR AGSM over eight other programs, earning a scholarship and teaching assistant position along the way. Ironically, he found the path to graduate school far easier than the one he took as an undergrad. “I had to transfer universities for my engineering studies due to my budget constraints. Because of syllabus mismatch, I had to retake 35 subjects from the previous years and cleared them all. Earning, my undergraduate degree has been the greatest huddle I’ve cleared so far.” As an undergrad, Nadia Witt played softball – a sport that has enabled her to compete in 21 countries. Her classmate, Joanna Alice Sippetts, has also been involved in sports. This year, she worked Wimbledon for the Lawn Tennis Association after previously handling player and staff accreditation at the Nottingham Open. Sometimes, you won’t find the best competitors on the field. Case in point: Stephanie Jimenez. She ranked as Charles Schwab’s top performer in her department. “I challenged myself to meet each metric on a daily basis so that I would be on track to meet all quarterly goals,” Jimenez explains. “Taking on this challenge and meeting it was important to me because I wanted to stand out and make myself known, especially since I was working in such a large company. I wanted to make sure that I was considered for any position openings that would allow me to learn more about the firm and/or move up within the company.” During Welcome Week, Student Association organizes a hike to nearby Mt. Rubidoux, where they can experience a beautiful view of Riverside city. QUANTS WITH A POETIC SIDE Before business school, Snigdha Ojha worked in television and fashion. In her most recent role, Ojha served as a senior marketing analyst at SHEIN, a women’s clothing online retailer. Here, Ojha developed a love for storytelling, particularly the role of characters – consumers – in driving the brand narrative. “My work included research and consumer insights for the India market. One of the most interesting things within my job was to see how the brand grew in two years in India and internationally. Interacting with consumers, understanding their needs from the brand, and then developing solutions incorporating these needs and demands was one of my most interesting experiences. The immense love from customers for the brand gave me a chance to understand the consumer’s voice using traditional research methods as well as the thriving social media channels. I had the opportunity to understand fashion trends, how e-commerce functions, and how all the likes and reactions are interpreted to develop strategy for brand growth.” Yiqun Li also possesses a poetic side. A voice actor, Li has dubbed his character interpretations to over 1,000 clips on his channel. Like Snigdha Ojha, he also brings a serious quant side to the UCR AGSM. In China, he was promoted to being the vice president of a private equity firm that invests in movies. In this role, he developed a model that crunched various indicators and market statistics that enabled him to project which releases would turn into blockbusters. “The company and the funds I managed had successfully invested in every year’s top-three movies in China over four consecutive years and grossed more than 30 billion RMB ($5 billion) at the box office. I managed two private equity companies within the group and oversaw more than 100 funds and more than 14 billion RMB ($2 billion) in assets. I also invested and incubated the largest filming equipment rental company in China, which is also the largest in Asia, with a total of more than 1 billion RMB ($138 million) in equipment assets, such as cameras, lenses, cranes, trollies, etc.” Our scenic botanical gardens – a great place for study, meditation, or a light hike FLEXING THEIR ENTREPRENEURIAL MUSCLES As an MBA, Li is now flexing his entrepreneurial muscles. During his Information Systems course, he devised a business plan for a new product. He describes it as a “rental service for high-end technological products—such as computers, drones, and entertainment equipment—exclusively to college students at a competitively low price.” The kicker: students could either return the item after the rental period expired or purchase it at a “fair price.” “Leading a group of my excellent classmates to work on the business plan and achieve our goal was a great experience because we are future managers and CEOs,” Li says. Outside work and school, Evelyn Lazo is a rock climber, even reaching the 1,500-foot summit of Angel’s Landing in Utah’s Zion National Park. At AGSM, Lazo notched a different achievement. She was named the school’s vice chief ambassador, where she helps her classmates better “showcase” themselves on LinkedIn. In contrast, Grant Rueca has been busy plying his marketing skills, both in working as a marketing assistant for the university and promoting his student organizations. Like Yiqun Li, Pujith Sai Kumar Reddy Nooka has turned a project in his Information Systems course into something much bigger. “I secured an internship in my first quarter as a startup business consultant working on a fintech project at the National Science Foundation, which is funded by the federal government and under the guidance of Dr. Jay Gilberg. Here, I am mentored by one of the best entrepreneurs, Gioia Messinger. I am also working on campus currently in Information Technology Solutions as a multimedia operator.” Watch Ashley Sanchez’s Slice of Life video for a sneak peek into her internship at The Walt Disney Company, which led to a full-time job offer. (Video) ‘EVERYONE WOULD MAKE A FINE MILITARY OFFICER’ Sean Payan was selected by the U.S. Army to pursue his MBA full-time at UCR – all while fulfilling his military obligations and training. Looking at the Class of 2024, the words “intelligent” and “diverse” come to mind for Payan. In the process, he pays his classmates the ultimate compliment. “The U.S. military is quite the melting pot of personnel; however, AGSM offers even more diversity and inclusiveness due to the international student population. The camaraderie among alumni and current students is remarkable as everyone is collaborative and eager to learn from one another. Every person I have met would make a fine military officer; they are extremely disciplined and durable with exemplary character.” Payan may also be among the students that Grant Rueca was thinking about when he described his classmates as “inspirational.” By that, he means they possess the grit to fulfill their promise. “Many students I’ve met within the UCR MBA program are pursuing their dreams with baggage: They have families, outside commitments, full-time jobs, and much more that add to the load as they earn an MBA degree. Yet, even if these things get in the way, they continue to pursue their dreams. UCR MBA students are strong-willed and take on this challenge to benefit their careers…they are my role models.” Next Page: An Interview with UCR AGSM Leadership Team Page 3: Profiles of 12 Members of the Class of 2024 Continue ReadingPage 1 of 3 1 2 3