Betting on Bauer
New Graduate Students Begin Bauer Journey at GPP Annual Welcome Night
The new graduate cohort rolled the dice and put all their bets on the C. T. Bauer College of Business at Casino Night, a welcome event organized by the Office of Graduate & Professional Programs.
The University of Houston Alumni Center became Las Vegas for the evening at this kick-off for the Fall 2026 semester. New students had the chance to connect with faculty and staff outside of their classroom before the start of classes, and network with alumni and Graduate Student Ambassadors who shared how they hit the jackpot at Bauer.
"Our hope for this event is that students feel welcomed, excited and confident to start their journey here with us," MBA and MS Student Experience Assistant Director Hisham Talib said.
"Our hope for this event is that students feel welcomed, excited and confident to start their journey here with us."
From the nationally recognized faculty and top-rated programs to a network of successful alumni, there are a variety of reasons as to why someone would choose Bauer to advance their education, Talib said.
"We have a dedicated team of professors and staff who are passionate about student success," Bauer College Dean Xianjun Geng said. "We're a family who support you from day one."
Located in the heart of Houston, Bauer also offers ample opportunities for career growth, Graduate Admissions Program Manager Shirley Shiflet said. With classes that value experiential learning through consulting projects, internships and case competitions, students are constantly engaging with industry experts, she added.
"Our return on investment is strong," Shiflet said. "We offer a high-quality business education at a competitive cost. It's great for those looking to advance their careers without necessarily breaking the bank."
For MS Supply Chain Management candidate Karen Gold (BBA '26), her decision to pursue her master's degree at Bauer was motivated by the positive experience she had in her undergraduate years, and the resources available that would help her in advancing her education and career.
It was thanks to the Accelerated Pathways program she was able to seamlessly transition into her graduate program, she added.
"Bauer allowed me to work in my industry while also furthering my knowledge in the master's program," Gold said. "I can directly apply what I'm learning to the challenges I face in my field."
Executive MBA candidate Omar Al Khdhairi had more than 16 years of experience in his industry before he reached a point when he realized he couldn't advance further without first advancing his education.
After months of researching the ideal place to earn his master's, he found the EMBA program at Bauer.
"It's the merging of academic knowledge with real life experience that solidified my decision," he said. "The EMBA will enable me to sharpen my mind and take on more successful roles in the future."
For MS Finance candidate Prashasti Bhandari, she thought Bauer to be the obvious choice as she transitioned out of marketing and into a career in finance.
"I really liked the institute and all it's shaping up to be," she said.
Professional MBA candidate Brian Carter returned to his home state of Texas after completing his bachelor's at Morehouse College in Atlanta. He said that he really valued the sense of community at Bauer and would be an asset in building his network back up after being out of state.
"As a recent grad, I just want to keep my foot on the gas pedal," Carter said. "I have a lot of ambition, and I want to let the world know that there's young talent out there to be respected and we're here to stay."
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