Casino Kickoff

The Office of Graduate & Professional Programs (GPP) at Bauer College greeted a new cohort of MBA and MS students recently with a night of networking, fun and games at this year’s Graduate Welcome Night.

"I think this really opens an opportunity for the students to meet one another,” GPP Assistant Director of Admissions Molly Niemczyk said. “They can connect with students in their cohort and meet the faculty and staff they’re going to be working with the next two years they’re here.”

The theme of the event was Casino Night, offering a light-hearted atmosphere to allow students to mingle over games and refreshments.

The annual Welcome Night not only allows students to come together but also provides Bauer faculty and staff the chance to socialize with students before the semester begins, said Associate Dean of Graduate & Professional Programs Leiser Silva.

“I am always very excited when the Graduate Welcome Night comes around,” he said. “In my many years as associate dean, I have seen lives being transformed. When I see the new students, I’m excited because I know that I’m going to see their dreams come true and all the wonderful things they’re going to do with their degrees.”

The night saw a blend of alumni, new students and returning students who earned their undergraduate degrees at the University of Houston.

To learn more about the graduate program at Bauer, visit Graduate & Professional Programs | UH Bauer Business College.

Olivia Garza, MS Sales Leadership Candidate

“I really love UH. They have really great classes, and I love the professors. I feel like they really care about their students and the future of their careers.”

Frank Hardy, Online MBA Candidate

“My goal with this degree is to get into a strategic leadership role. I feel like the online program is perfect for me. My wife and I just had out first newborn, so an online degree is going to help us reach our goals.”

Emma Jarry, MS Supply Chain Management Candidate

“I did my undergrad at UH, so I’m excited about coming back and getting the whole experience again. I got my bachelor's degree in biology, so I’m really interested in combining business and STEM together.”

Damola Ogunleye (PMBA ‘18)

“My experience (at Bauer) was phenomenal. I forged lifelong friendships with my classmates. The courses were challenging, but they were challenging for the right reasons.”

Sarah Ochoa, Online MBA Candidate

“I’m most excited for the camaraderie. I’ve always loved how everyone’s super welcoming at Bauer. It’s been a good experience, and I got to live a little bit of that with my husband first before coming here.”

Jose Ochoa (EMBA ‘20);
Executive DBA Student

“I’m happy to be here with my wife at her first event not as a plus one, but as an incoming student. It's a great opportunity to network with other alumni or current students before she starts her program.”

Rojan Shrestha, Professional MBA Candidate and Graduate Ambassador

“This event tonight is a great way for the past, present and future to meet.”

Thu Pham, MS Global Business Leadership Candidate (left)

“It’s all about the professors and friends. I had the opportunity to work on campus for three or four semesters, and I made a lot of good friends. A lot of professors helped me throughout my bachelor's degree. I’m grateful, and I feel like that’s probably the thing that determined me returning to Bauer for my master’s.”

Justin Kanife, Professional MBA Candidate (right)

“I’ve always had it in my mind to get an MBA in Houston, which is the energy capital of the world. I want to see what the school has to offer, and I’m sure I have a lot to contribute as well.”

Elijah Barnes, Professional MBA Candidate (left)

“I’m super excited to be here. I heard it was a wonderful experience. I have a few of my colleagues that have come to the program and who said, ‘Hey, you should give it a shot,’ so here I am.”

Julia Garza, Online MBA Candidate (right)

“I was born and raised in Houston so when I was deciding where I wanted to go to undergrad, I thought, there’s no other school than University of Houston. Now I’m continuing the next step into my master’s. It further cements the love and passion I have for the city and the university.”

Karras Mayes, Online MBA Candidate (left)

“I love seeing how passionate people are about the university, but what I love even more is seeing how passionate people are about Bauer.”

Cody McGaughey (PMBA ‘24)

“One thing that keeps me coming back to these events is the networking and communications between alumni, current students, faculty and staff. I feel like we have a very close-knit relationship with one another.”

Devan Short, Online MBA Candidate

“Over the years you've seen more and more people recognize what a great presence the University of Houston has. Being back here, being a current student again, is just an all too familiar feeling, and one that I’m truly blessed to have.”