Jones Journal -- Alumni Magazine of the Jones Graduate School of Management, Rice University

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Deanna Sheaffer, Editor
Director of Alumni Affairs
Jones School of Management - MS 531 Rice University
P.O. Box 1892
Houston TX 77251-1892
e-mail:JGSalum@rice.edu

The National Society of Hispanic MBAs Finds Jones School Brillante
– Diane Summers, Rice University Executive Education

Kay Henry, director of the MBA for Executives Program, (left) accepted the Brillante Award. Henry, along with Diane Summers, director of marketing and operations for Rice University Executive Education, (center) is responsible for the creation of the Hispanic Leadership Day. Peter Veruki, executive director of admissions and career placement, also represented the Jones School at the conference.

“Brillante,” which means bright, radiant, and shining, is the name of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs’ highest honor. The trophy is a sculptured flame exemplifying the warmth and light that NSHMBA believes is radiated by its recipients. The award recognizes a corporation, an educational institution, a not-for-profit agency, an individual, and an NSHMBA member who have significantly contributed to the mission and goals of NSHMBA and the Hispanic community.

On November 9, 2000 the Jones School was presented with the award for its contributions to the Hispanic business community at NSHMBA’s 11th annual Conference and Career Expo in Orlando, Florida. Over 3,500 people attended.

The mission of the NSHMBA is to foster Hispanic leadership through graduate management education and professional development in order to improve society. Their goals include increasing enrollment of Hispanics in graduate management programs; assisting in the recruitment, career development, and promotion of Hispanic business professionals; providing networking opportunities for Hispanics; and promoting Hispanic business leadership and entrepreneurship.

Rice University Executive Education and the Jones Graduate School were recognized by NSHMBA for several initiatives taken which support the goals of NSHMBA. As stated at the Awards Banquet, “The Jones School provides exemplary leadership and resources in a variety of diversity initiatives.” Some of these initiatives include the Hispanic Professionals’ Leadership Day, which is now being planned for its fourth consecutive year; assisting in coordinating and providing facilities for the organization’s First Annual Leadership and Chapter Development Workshop for the NSHMBA Central Region; hosting chapter and officer meetings regularly; and embracing and supporting the establishment of the Houston Hispanic Professional Coalition – a presidents’ council of Hispanic professional organizations. NSHMBA recognized the “encouragement, dedication, and generosity of the Jones School.”

Kay Henry, director of the MBA for Executives program, accepted the award, noting that the partnership between the Houston Chapter of NSHMBA and the Jones School has benefited both organizations. Henry, along with Diane Summers, director of marketing and operations for Rice University Executive Education, is responsible for the creation of the Hispanic Leadership Day. She is passionate about diversity initiatives at Rice and the Jones School. “This award symbolizes the synergy and passion that result when two organizations combine efforts for the betterment of the community,” Henry stated in her acceptance speech. She also emphasized her personal pleasure at working with representatives of the NSHMBA Houston Chapter and Central Region, and offered to share information with universities assisting NSHMBA in other cities. Summers and Peter Veruki, executive director of admissions and career placement, also represented the Jones School at the conference. The Corporate Award was given to IBM.

The Corporate Executive Award was given to Nellie Gonzalez, the North American Diversity Director of Andersen Consulting. The Entrepreneur Award was given to Emilio Estefan, Jr., the founder and chairman of Estefan Enterprises, and spouse of singer Gloria Estefan. The Not-for-Profit Award was given to the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The NSHMBA Member Service Award was given to Luis Colon of Denver.