Diana Katherine Carrillo Romero

Rice University, Jones Graduate School of Business

“I am a passionate, determined Latina woman who loves learning from different perspectives.”

Hometown: Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia

Fun Fact About Yourself: I was a professional volleyball player.

Undergraduate School and Major: Chemical Engineering, Universidad Industrial de Santander

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Product Manager, Cenit Logistica y Transporte de Hidrocarburos

What has been your favorite part of Houston so far? Why? I love spending time at Buffalo Bayou Park, where I can enjoy nature while capturing the impressive view of downtown Houston. The park’s natural play area, complete with a sandbox for my kids, is one of my favorite spots.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of the Rice Jones MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship, receive personalized education with small class sizes, and have a STEM-focused curriculum were the critical factors in my decision. This was very significant to me because my undergraduate degree was from a public university with large class sizes and limited opportunities to interact with professors and build strong relationships with the faculty. Additionally, as an engineer, it was important for me to improve my business acumen and strategy abilities while enhancing my quantitative skills, with classes such as data analytics.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Rice Jones? I really enjoyed my marketing class. It provided an opportunity to apply the knowledge I learned to a real-life business situation with a client, which was amazing. As a customer, it was insightful to learn about the ‘behind the scenes’ and the reasons behind the brand decisions.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: During my role as a Reliability Engineer in Cenit, a Midstream Company, I was chosen as a Product Owner for an advanced analytics project. It was the first digital transformation project within the company. The project was a success, and I was recognized for my outstanding performance that year. I was also invited to present the project at a National Maintenance conference, which was an incredible experience. It gave me the opportunity to expand my professional network and learn about the latest trends in innovation for the oil and gas industry.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? In my first semester, I successfully managed my academic workload and recruitment and cared for my two young children. Despite not having any related background in accounting or marketing, I achieved the highest grades, which I consider my biggest accomplishment. Besides this achievement, I have successfully conquered my fear of public speaking in my second language and in front of large audiences. I am now fully prepared and confident to begin my second semester.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? Sharing the party on the patio (Partio) with my husband, kids, and classmates was a wonderful opportunity. Showcasing Rice University’s and the business school’s inclusive and family values made me feel like I belong there.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into the Rice Jones MBA program? Always be true to yourself, showcase your unique qualities, and be confident about your abilities. As practical advice, I highly recommend visiting the school if possible, participating in classes (you may be able to enter as a visitor), and speaking with the faculty and admissions team, as they are an excellent resource. Additionally, don’t hesitate to ask alumni any questions you may have to tailor your application materials.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE RICE JONES MBA CLASS OF 2025