Aya Rawashdeh

Rice University, Jones Graduate School of Business

“Joyful, kind-hearted, grounded in family, fueled by growth, and determined to make things better.”

Hometown: Amman, Jordan

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m a Forbes 30-Under-30 scholar, and I can speak 4 languages: Arabic, Spanish, French and English.

Undergraduate School and Major: The University of Texas at Tyler, B.S. in Computer Information Systems

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Boutique Management Consulting Firm, Senior Consultant

What has been your favorite part of Houston so far? Why? Houston feels welcoming in a way that’s hard to explain but easy to feel. Between the diversity, incredible food, and how genuinely open people are (especially at Rice), it quickly started to feel like home rather than just a place I moved back to for school.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the one 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 emphasis on experiential learning. I was drawn to a program that values doing as much as discussing — where learning happens through real challenges, reflection, and collaboration – rather than just lectures and homework assignments. That hands-on approach aligned with how I grow best.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Rice Jones? I’ve most enjoyed “Team Learning labs” led by Ruth Reitmeier, director of coaching. She created a safe space for dialogue and perspective-sharing. Having the opportunity to hear how classmates from different backgrounds approach the same problem has been both grounding and inspiring, reminding me why community matters so much in learning.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: It was earning trust quickly in unfamiliar environments – whether with clients, teams or international stakeholders – and turning that trust into meaningful outcomes and long-lasting relationships.

I have consistently been someone others turn to for clarity, empathy and follow-through. Beyond project delivery, my proudest impact has been creating space for people to feel seen and supported. Most notably, it was by leading interfaith and DEI initiatives, helping establish a dedicated wellness room, and organizing events that honored diverse cultural and religious identities. Turning values into action has been as important to me as any professional milestone.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? One of my biggest accomplishments has been showing up fully and authentically in a new chapter of life — balancing rigor, vulnerability, and curiosity while building new relationships. In my first semester, I navigated interpersonal conflicts while choosing resilience, leadership, and integrity over disengagement. I showed up consistently, advocated for collaboration, and rallied my team to keep us moving forward. That experience reshaped how I define leadership as steadiness, courage, and commitment when circumstances are difficult.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? Choosing just one memory feels impossible. Some of my best memories included bonding with classmates at Partio, being recognized as a winner in the Rice Business speech competition, and placing third in the Deloitte Case Competition with my amazing case team. Each moment affirmed that I belong here. Together, they represent the balance I treasure most in this journey: deep community, personal growth, and the confidence that comes from being challenged and rising to it.

Rice Business is not easy, but it is deeply rewarding. It pushes you beyond your comfort zone both personally and professionally, challenging you to grow not just into a stronger professional, but into a better, more grounded person — which is exactly why I chose it.

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