This article was recently published on Poets & Quants, a premium online resource for prospective graduate business students worldwide. Also read the second part of the article: "A Q&A with UCR AGSM Leadership."
Ambitious, driven, and collaborative. These are just a few words to describe a UC-Riverside Anderson Graduate School of Management MBA student. They’re everything you’d expect to find at a business school that ranked No. 78 in the United States this year.
If you’re looking for students who are strong team players, you’ll find them here.
They come to the school with all sorts of interests, from marketing, tech, and finance to AI and beyond. It’s clear that Riverside AGSM MBAs possess the drive and capability to make a significant impact in the world.
WHY NOW AND WHY RIVERSIDE?
Why are they pursuing their MBA, and why did they choose Riverside? For some, it’s about personal growth and new opportunities. Others are looking to gain deeper insight into different fields, or build out their professional network.
MBA Alec Kazmier is a Riverside local driven by his constant desire to push his personal limits and continue learning. He plans to pursue innovative ventures within international markets.
“I am pursuing my MBA to accelerate my personal and professional growth, and this was the right time for me to do so because I feel ready to tackle new challenges and leverage advanced skills to make a significant impact in my field,” he shares.
Historically, about half of the school’s MBAs are international students. One of them, Pin-Yu Huang, came to Riverside from Taiwan.
“This is the perfect time for me to pursue my MBA because I’ve discovered my true passions, “ she says. As a sales and marketing specialist in the petrochemical industry, she has returned to business school to sharpen her skills in one specific area: data.
“I’m eager to learn how to extract and analyze information and build data-driven strategies to gain deeper insights and advance my career,” she says.
Wanting to dive deeper into finance and investment while maintaining her passion for golf, MBA Gabrielle Kiger came to Riverside to gain a competitive edge in the job market. “This seemed like the right time for me because I still have one more year of eligibility to play golf: I can continue to both grow my academic knowledge and play the sport that I love.”
WHAT STANDS OUT AT RIVERSIDE?
There are many factors that make Riverside an attractive option for students. For Kiger, it was the abundance of career fairs and valuable networking opportunities with highly selective corporations. “This is important to me because I am able to speak with them personally and learn more about their jobs and how their companies function,” she says.
Another important draw for her was the chance to meet with Riverside alumni and their networks.
Having experienced many cultures as an avid traveler and first generation student, MBA Dyami Ruiz-Martinez found Riverside’s dedication to working with local companies particularly appealing. “As a resident of the region, I was particularly drawn to UCR’s MBA because of the school’s active role in shaping the region’s economic and social development,” he says.
Innovation and global business perspectives: That’s what stood out to Kathiroli Vasu about the AGSM. “Understanding how to manage innovation effectively is crucial for my career goals, especially in a rapidly evolving sector like automotive,” she says.
FAVORITE CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES
A native of India, Vasu has led many successful projects at Norton Motorcycles and is looking to drive change in the industry. “I have joined the school’s Product Club and am excited about the workshops and collaboration activities.”
Also a member of the Product Club is dance enthusiast Richa Rishu. “I love being part of a collaborative environment engaging in discussions about product development, strategy, and innovation, along with an ambassador leadership role,” says Rishu.
Rishu recently worked for HDFC Bank as an operations manager. Though her classes started this fall, she got a good glimpse at life at Riverside months back through their Summer with UCR and Business Ready programs.
“I thoroughly enjoyed each orientation session as they were informative, innovative, and fun,” she says.
Looking to boost his competitiveness and step into a management role, MBA Bart Archuleta is ready to leverage his local knowledge and connections as he takes his career to the next level. He has worked at Riverside’s VA school as a Certifying Official Assistant.
“As an undergraduate, I was very involved with the campus Student Veterans Organization, and I plan to continue in this capacity, assisting and networking with other veterans to better our community.”
He is still with the organization, and recently led a fossil dig for veterans.
KEY TAKEAWAYS THUS FAR
Among the many things that AGSM MBAs experience, what memories resonate the most with them? Thus far, Archuleta was surprised to learn that the amount of learning that he retains comes down to how much he chooses to apply himself. On a non-academic level, he is learning how important and enjoyable networking can be.
“I was able to secure two separate internships that would’ve been much harder to obtain had it not been for the connections I’ve made.”
Film enthusiast and MBA Blake Sanchez has learned how crucial it is to both solve technical problems and communicate effectively. “The way you approach conversations, including your tone and consideration for others’ perspectives, can be the key to avoiding conflict and completing tasks efficiently,” he shares.
On a more personal level, Sanchez didn’t expect to get to know others so quickly. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how quickly a sense of community forms in the program despite most of us not knowing each other beforehand,” he adds.
Currently employed for Pfizer as a health and science professional in women’s health, MBA Aliyah Nelson is passionate about making a positive impact in healthcare locally and internationally. “Many of the assignments and projects involve solving actual business problems and how to effectively use resources in the real business world,” she shares.
She didn’t expect AI to be such a prominent part of the curriculum, and says it has been fascinating to see how these tools can be leveraged for decision-making, data analysis, and optimizing business processes. “This knowledge has opened my eyes to new possibilities for innovation,” says Nelson.
LESSONS TO PASS ON TO FUTURE MBAS
For those looking to join the Riverside MBA family, Nelson advises prospective students to “clearly articulate your experiences, strengths, accomplishments, and motivations in your application.”
She also suggests applicants “take the time to network and reach out to current students, alumni, and faculty” to gain insight and to help them get a better sense of the community and decide if the school is the right fit for them.
Growing up in India, business analyst and MBA Surbhi Kwatra was always challenging herself to do something new every day, Her advice to prospective MBAs? “Just be yourself and let your unique background and experience tell a story about who you are.”
Like Nelson, she also suggests prospective students speak to the current students and alumni to learn more and get insights about the program.
Next Page: A Q&A with members of AGSM’s leadership team and profiles of 10 members of the Class of 2026.