Meet first-year MBA student, Chiree Rice! Chiree was an undergraduate transfer student to UCR Business and participated in the global leadership program, Accelerated Business Leaders Education (ABLE), before being accepted into the MBA program at UCR’s A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management.
Her experience in the ABLE program meeting UCR professors and collaborating with students from around the world, along with her team winning the Business Innovation and Strategy Competition, inspired her to continue her studies in business. The ABLE program not only introduced her to the academic expectations of business school but also gave her a first-hand understanding of the importance of teamwork, communication, and creative thinking. These early experiences confirmed her passion for pursuing graduate education and reinforced her desire to gain the tools necessary to create long-lasting impact in her community.
Chiree’s goal is to learn about managing all aspects of a business so she can help small businesses in her community grow and thrive. She is particularly interested in learning about the franchise business model to help entrepreneurs own their own business. For her, the appeal of the franchise model is the way it combines independence with structure, giving aspiring entrepreneurs both freedom and proven systems for success. By studying this model in depth, she hopes to better support individuals who want to become business owners but may not have the resources or knowledge to start from scratch.
In her coursework, Chiree has already discovered several classes that are shaping her perspective as a future leader. One of her favorite classes is Organizational Behavior and Theory; she has enjoyed learning about leadership styles in the workplace. This course has allowed her to explore the dynamics between employees, managers, and teams, as well as how leaders can motivate others and foster a positive organizational culture. She also enjoys the Marketing Strategy class and the simulations that allow students to test theory and strategy and the impact their decisions have on the market. These simulations have been particularly engaging because they provide a hands-on opportunity to see how small changes in decision-making can significantly alter business outcomes.
Beyond the classroom, Chiree has embraced the opportunities available to build community with her peers. Over the summer before the start of the MBA program, Chiree participated in the business school’s #SUMMERwithUCR online program. “It was a fun way to meet fellow students…and see the different cultures of my cohort,” says Chiree. The program helped her feel connected to her classmates even before stepping into the first day of class, and it provided a welcoming introduction to graduate student life at UCR. She so enjoyed the summer program she hopes to be involved in the future to support new students in their business graduate studies journey. By giving back, she hopes to create the same kind of warm, encouraging environment that she benefited from herself.
As she continues through her MBA program, Chiree looks forward to applying what she learns in real-world settings. Whether through internships, networking opportunities, or community engagement projects, she is committed to bridging her education with action. Her path so far reflects the spirit of the UCR School of Business: fostering leaders who are driven not only by career success but also by a desire to make a difference.