Helping Executives Change the World
Bauer Executive DBA Program Welcomes Fall 2026 Cohort
The latest cohort of the Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) program at the C. T. Bauer College of Business includes a CEO whose company advances energy justice in Mexico, a double Coog who is a leader in cybersecurity and an executive whose passion for education translates to career goals, among the 18 new students.
The Fall 2026 cohort came together with faculty, staff, students and alumni during their first residency weekend this month, a multi-day session that included time on campus and culminated in a reception at The Grove in downtown Houston.
The Executive DBA program was launched in Fall 2023, and it was designed to equip today's business leaders with the mindset and tools they need for the future of business, Associate Dean of Research Vanessa Patrick said.
The program’s first cohort graduated this spring. Alumni stay engaged with the academic community at Bauer by returning as guest lecturers, and a few have been added to dissertation committees for their Executive DBA peers, Patrick said.
Over the course of three years, students work alongside their cohort to advance their critical thinking skills, craft innovative research and engage in thought leadership that will help them better meet the demands of an evolving business landscape.
"Seeing the Executive DBA program come to fruition has been a dream come true," Patrick said. "We've worked hard to ensure everyone who comes through this program has a transformative experience."
CFE International LLC CEO Paulina Díaz Aguirre came to the program in search of clarity.
The company she leads supplies natural gas to Mexico. Based in Houston, CFE International provides reliable and affordable energy to its neighbors.
"As an executive, we're always making decisions in a very fast-paced environment without much critical thinking behind it. I want to be more thoughtful in my decision making."
As a proud Houstonian, Bauer was the only school Hewlett Packard Enterprise Senior Manager Gil Eulogio wanted to earn his executive education.
He applied to the program a year ago, and although he wasn't accepted, he would not be easily deterred. He tried again, and he was welcomed as a student to cohort four. Within the first residency weekend, he said it already felt like his peers were family.
"I'm here to get to the next level of my research. This program will help me develop the right skills and knowledge so I can make an impact."
Bauer Dean Xianjun Geng says the Executive DBA perfectly illustrates the college’s commitment to serving the Houston business community.
"You don't come to the DBA for the diploma," Geng said. "You come for a knowledge and experience that is uniquely yours."
Executive MBA (EMBA) alumna and Houston Public Works Interim IT Manager In-ja Mitchell Burnett decided that her time at Bauer wasn't over after one degree. After graduating in Spring 2026, she immediately transitioned to the Executive DBA.
While the EMBA laid out the groundwork for what she needed to know on strategic leadership — bridging the gap between her technical knowledge and management skills — she soon realized there was still so much more she wanted to learn.
"I really want to push myself in this program. I want to continue to do what I'm passionate about: using my experience to educate and train the next generation in cybersecurity."
Solera Inc. Senior Customer Success Manager Alex Vega considers himself a lifelong learner. He came to the Executive DBA program to strengthen his research skills and apply his new skills to the future growth of his career.
It was important to him to attend a program that balanced education and occupation, Vega said. Bauer had everything he was looking for, and although the Executive DBA is still relatively young, the success of the graduates speaks for itself, he added.
"The program allows me to pursue my personal goals and to continue working in my field. It's a win-win."
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