Meet the MBA Class of 2026: Lan-Huong Nguyen, University of Rochester (Simon)

Lan-Huong Nguyen

University of Rochester, Simon Business School

“I am a first-generation Vietnamese American college student eager to learn.”

Hometown: Chicago, IL (but lived in Houston, TX before coming to Rochester)

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am certified for open water dive.

Undergraduate School and Major: Connecticut College, Anthropology and Ethnobotany double major; Certificate in Museum Studies

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Program Assistant at PAIR Houston

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Rochester Simon’s MBA curriculum or programming that led you to choose this business school, and why was it so important to you? A key part of Simon’s MBA curriculum and programming is how students, faculty, and staff are willing to engage in challenging conversations about diversity. As an emerging business leader, I value learning the skills to make equitable data-driven decisions that will ultimately significantly impact others with whom I may not share a similar identity. In a class visit I had during Experience Simon Weekend with Professor Ravi Mantena, we were tasked to read and discuss an article on race and gender in homeownership. In this sample class, I was blown away by how we navigated the conversation on racial and gender discrimination and the dangers of misusing and misinterpreting data. I was thankful to have Professor Mantena guide us through this conversation and how the curriculum inherently considers DEI perspectives.

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? As someone making a career pivot, I am excited to develop quantitative skills that will influence my decision-making reasoning. In my undergraduate experience and as an educator, I had minimal quantitative expertise, and I never believed that I was smart enough to be in STEM. As a working professional, I became flustered that I could not effectively make quantitative data-informed decisions. Being at Simon has taught me the technical and conceptual skills to analyze data critically, allowing me to make informed decisions impacting a larger community.

What are some advantages you’ve seen in earning your MBA in Rochester? Earning my MBA in Rochester has allowed me to find the balance between the bustling life of being a graduate student and enjoying life peacefully. Rochester is a small, diverse city in the middle of so much nature. Coming from a large urban setting, this change of scenery is refreshing and beautiful. I’ve enjoyed de-stressing by walking around the nearby parks, hanging out with friends on the lakefront, and going on various hikes with my classmates. Additionally, I’ve enjoyed exploring parts of the town and eating the amazing food here.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Simon? The Simon Partners Club was a distinguishing factor when picking programs. My partner and I wanted to accelerate our careers within the next 4–5 years, so I needed to choose a graduate program and overall location that allowed him to grow as much as I did. Of many schools I connected with, Simon was one of the few programs with structured programming, and the Simon Partners Club allowed Simon students’ partners, kids, and family members to build their network.

The activity I am the most excited about getting involved in is the PIECES program. PIECES will allow me to combine what I learn in the classroom and my love for education. Simon partners with local schools and volunteers in this program to teach 5th and 6th graders financial literacy. As a former 5th-grade teacher, I’ve always wanted to teach these concepts to students in my class, but I could not accomplish this due to competing priorities and limited resources. I am excited to have an opportunity to teach students financial literacy and give back to the Rochester community.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My most significant accomplishment in my career thus far was seeing 100% of students in a college access non-profit I previously worked in use a new workbook I created. Seeing students engage with the product I made brought me so much joy. Additionally, students gave me feedback on how to improve the workbook, and so I immediately thought of other ways to improve it for the following year. This was a sign that I was made for brand management.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? After graduation, I hope to have a full-time offer in a brand management role that allows me to create a product that creatively and strategically best serves a market segment.

DON’T MISS: MEET ROCHESTER SIMON’S MBA CLASS OF 2026