Peter Rodriguez (born February 13, 1968) is an American economist and professor who has served as the dean at Rice University’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business since 2016 and Virani Undergraduate School of Business since 2024.[1] He is Rice University's first Hispanic dean.[2]
Early life and career
editRodriguez was raised in Kilgore, Texas. His father was a chemistry professor.[1]
In 1990, he received a Bachelor of Science in economics from Texas A&M. He earned a master’s in economics in 1992 and a Ph.D. in economics in 1998, both from Princeton University. While at Princeton, he studied under Ben Bernanke, former chairman of the Federal Reserve.[3]
Early in his career, Rodriguez worked as an associate in the Global Energy Group at JP Morgan Chase in Houston.[4]
From 1997 to 2003, he was a professor at Texas A&M University specializing in corruption, globalization, economic development, and social institutions. While there, he was recognized for excellence in teaching and research.[5]
In 2003, he joined the University of Virginia Darden School of Business as a tenured professor.[4] In 2014, he gave the “Last Lecture” at UVA – a tradition that invites distinguished faculty members to deliver a lecture as if it is their final opportunity to do so.[4]
While at Darden, Rodriguez served as senior associate dean for degree programs and chief diversity officer.[6] In 2009, Diversity MBA Magazine included him in their Top 100 Under 50 Executive & Emerging Leaders.[7]
Rodriguez has been featured on Bloomberg Markets as an expert on U.S.-China trade and diversity on Wall Street.[8]
He is a board member of Good Reason Houston, Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, and Texas 2036.[9][10][11] In December 2021, he was appointed to the Houston Branch Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.[12]
Rice University
editIn 2016, Rodriguez became the dean at Rice University’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business.
Since joining Rice, Rodriguez launched an online journal that summarizes the school's research for everyday readers.[2] He has introduced several new degree programs, including the first online graduate degree at Rice, the Hybrid MBA program, and the Virani Undergraduate School of Business.[13][14] Under Rodriguez's leadership, Rice has gained national prominence for its emphasis in entrepreneurship. The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine have ranked Rice the #1 graduate program in entrepreneurship for four consecutive years (2020-2023).[15]
In 2017, the Texas Diversity Council recognized Rodriguez for his multicultural leadership.
Notable awards and honors
edit- 2017 Multicultural Leadership Award, Texas Diversity Council[16]
- 2009 Top 100 Under 50, Diversity MBA Magazine[7]
- 2009 University Teaching Award, University of Virginia[17]
- 2007, 2008 Mead/Colley Award for Engagement with Students, University of Virginia
- 2004, 2005 Excellence in Diversity Fellow, University of Virginia
- 2002 Faculty Distinguished Teaching Achievement Award, Association of Former Students at Texas A&M University[5]
- 1999 Elected Fellow, The British-American Project at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
- 1996 University-wide Teaching Excellence Award, Princeton University
Personal life
editRodriguez is married to Kathleen Rodriguez and has three children: Gabriella, Samuel, and Michael.
References
edit- ^ a b Martin, Joe (September 25, 2016). "Meet the new dean of Rice University's Jones School of Business". Houston Business Journal. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ^ a b Martin, Florian (September 23, 2016). "New Rice Business School Dean Tries To Counter Hispanic Underrepresentation In Business World". Houston Public Media. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ "Houston Board of Directors: Peter Rodriguez". Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ a b c Byrne, John (January 28, 2016). "Darden Loses Senior Dean To Rice University". Poets & Quants. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ a b "Faculty members receive teaching, research awards". mays.tamu.edu. October 1, 2002.
- ^ Leinfelder, Andrea (January 28, 2016). "Native Texan returns as dean of Rice business school". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
- ^ a b "Diversity MBA Magazine Names 2009 TOP 100 Under 50 Executive & Emerging Leaders". Diversity MBA Magazine. June 10, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ "Rice University's Rodriguez on U.S.-China Talks, Trade, Diversity". Bloomberg.com. April 30, 2019. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ "Good Reason Houston: Our Board of Directors". Good Reason Houston. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ "Strake Jesuit Preparatory: Board of Directors". Jesuit Strake Preparatory. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ "Texas 2036 Board of Directors: PETER RODRIGUEZ". Texas 2036. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ "Dallas Fed Appoints Rice University Dean Peter Rodriguez to Houston Branch Board". www.dallasfed.org. December 2, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
- ^ Watson, Anna (January 25, 2023). "Why Rice Is Launching A New Hybrid MBA". Poets & Quants. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ Boyd, Jade (March 1, 2021). "Rice offering undergraduate major in business starting this fall". Rice University news. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ Franklin, Avery (February 2, 2023). "Rice Business ranks in top 10 for consulting, finance and more". Rice University news. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ Wright, Brittani (May 10, 2017). "The 13th Annual Diversity and Leadership Conference: "Fostering Equity Through Inclusion"" (PDF). Texas Diversity Conference. p. 2. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ Arrington, Rebecca (14 April 2009). "UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA HONORS GREAT TEACHING". University of Virginia. Retrieved 31 October 2023.