Blog Author | UC Davis Graduate School of Management

Profile

Andy Collins MBA 25

I chose to attend UC Davis for two main reasons. The first was after I spoke to several people who had either attended or were attending, I learned that they all had the same things to say, "The education is great, but the people and the tight-knit family community is what sets this place apart." After having been enrolled in the program for one year, I can confirm that the previous statement is true. At Davis, you are more than just a student to attend class; you are part of a larger family where you always learn from each other's past experiences.

The second reason I chose UC Davis is

Nye Smarr

Profile

Nye Smarr

UC's Summer Institute for Emerging Managers and Leaders, UC Davis, May 2024

Delaware State University - Student Leadership and Experience

Treasurer, Student Government Association (2024-2025)
President, Financial Planning Club (2024-2025)
Treasurer, Honors Program (2023-2024)
Corresponding Secretary, Sophomore Class (2023-2024)
Vice President, Financial Planning Club (2023-2024)

Previous Education

Peddie High School

Previous Work Experience

Markets Fellow, J.P. Morgan (2023)
Corporate Analyst, J.P. Morgan (2024)
UBS Student Analyst for Women's History Month under the Make

Verenice Andrade MBA 24

Profile

Verenice Andrade MBA 24

I chose UC Davis for its flexible program, conducive environment, and transparent admissions process. The collaborative atmosphere and convenient Part-Time MBA program made it the perfect choice for my career change.

Current Position

Senior Paralegal, Pacific Gas & Electric Company

Previous Work Experience

Paralegal, Sundeen Salinas & Pyle

Previous Education

Bachelor of Arts, UC Berkeley

Fun Facts

I speak 3.25 languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic).
During the pandemic, I mastered DIY gel manicures, and now host nail workshops with other GSM nail enthusiasts

Kristy MaKieve MBA 15

Profile

Kristy MaKieve MBA 15

UC Davis GSM was a natural choice for me. The professors were of the same caliber as my Ivy League undergraduate faculty, and the Sacramento MBA campus was conveniently located.

Current Position

CEO, Healthy Rural California

Previous Work Experience

Director of Admissions, UC Davis Graduate School of Management
Director of Membership, California Medical Association
Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Center of Excellence
Executive Analyst, UC Davis School of Medicine
Development and Communications, UC Davis Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing

Previous Education

Gennaro Tecchia MBA 23

Profile

Gennaro Tecchia MBA 23

I chose UC Davis because of its close-knit community, collaboration, diversity, and strong alumni network, aligning perfectly with my business administration background and career goals.

Current Position

Deployment Project Manager, Project Management & Shared Services, Kaiser Permanente

Previous Work Experience

Business Consulting Services Graduate Intern, Project Management & Shared Services, Kaiser Permanente
Founder, Consulting, GT Media Consulting
Business Development Lead, Business Development, GradRight Inc.
Head of Marketing, Marketing, Powered By Pros Inc.
Director of

Aashi Mehrotra MBA 25

Profile

Aashi Mehrotra MBA 25

I chose UC Davis for its biotech immersion, which offers hands-on experiences and a curriculum deeply rooted in biotechnology.

Its location near the biotech hub provides easy access to leading companies, facilitating industry connections, internships, and full-time opportunities.

Student Leadership and Experience

ASM Board Member: Director of Career Services
Club Membership: GSM Healthcare Council, Product Management

Previous Education

Post Graduation (Pathology): Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
Graduation (M.B.B.S.): M.G.M. Medical College, Aurangabad

Previous Work

Rohan Ranshinge MSBA 19

Profile

Rohan Ranshinge MSBA 19

I chose UC Davis for its balanced MSBA program, offering technical and business courses, and a year-long practicum project to apply learning in real-world settings.

Current Position

Marketing Analyst, Google

Previous Work Experience

Accenture
The Home Depot
Google

Previous Education

B.S. in Engineering, University of Mumbai
MSBA, UC Davis Graduate School of Management

Fun Facts

I am a self-taught guitar player.
I completed a 5K military obstacle course called the Devil's Circuit.
There are two of me! I have a twin who was also in the same MSBA program, and we both

Alice Vega MBA 24

Profile

Alice Vega MBA 24

I chose UC Davis because of its cohort-based structure which helped me build a strong network. I was drawn to the diverse course offerings, especially the chance to study abroad.

Student Leadership and Experience

Club Membership: Women in Leadership
Director of Finance, GSM Student Association Sacramento 2022-2023

Previous Education

B.A. in Business Administration, Concentration in Accounting, San Jose State University

Previous Work Experience

Senior Accountant - Quick Quack Car Wash
Staff Accountant - Catana Bio (formerly Dovetail Genomics)
Assurance Staff - Moss Adams, LLP

Minh Nguyen MBA 25

Profile

Minh Nguyen MBA 25

I chose UC Davis GSM because of its community. The students are competitive, hardworking, and career oriented yet welcoming, friendly, and pleasant to work with.

The faculties are extremely helpful in every ways from small requests to supporting the professional career growth of each student. The campus is beautiful with plenty of trees and naturally diverse (My favorite spot is the arboretum).

Student Leadership and Experience

Director of Case Competition, Net Impact UC Davis GSM

Previous Education

Bachelor of Science, Food Science & Technology, UC Davis

Previous Work Experience

Allison Judy MBA 25

Profile

Allison Judy MBA 25

I chose UC Davis as I was attracted to the close-knit learning community, collaborative leadership program, and international partnerships.

When I visited campus, I was won over by the hospitality of the admissions team and second year ambassador(s) who welcomed me!

Student Leadership and Experience

Club Membership: Women in Leadership, Healthcare Council

Previous Education

B.S. Chemistry, Westmont College 2019
Secondary Teaching Credential, Westmont College 2020

Previous Work Experience

Chemistry Teacher, Dos Pueblos High School
Science Teacher, La Cumbre Junior High

Reiya Sheth MBA 25

Profile

Reiya Sheth MBA 25

I chose UC Davis because of its one-of-a kind Biotechnology immersion Program. The proximity to the numerous Biotech and Pharma companies aligned well with my future career aspirations.

Student Leadership and Experience

Club Membership: GSM Healthcare Council, Women in Leadership

Previous Education

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.), GMERS Medical College and Hospital

Previous Work Experience

General Physician, Iconic 1010 Hospital
General Physician, Milan Orthopedic and Fracture care Hospital
Intern Doctor, GMERS Medical College and Hospital

Fun Facts

Cindy Jeon MSBA 24

Profile

Cindy Jeon MSBA 24

I chose UC Davis because of its job-acclimated curriculum which will provide me a better understanding of core competencies, including a more focused insight of business analytics and computing subjects.

Additionally, I believe the practicum project will help me to continue the momentum in my career. Lastly, it's located in California—why not!

Student Leadership and Experience

Project Manager at BroadVision (MSBA Practicum Project)
Leader at 2024 Hackathone Champion Team
MSBA Graduate Student Analyst (Grad STAT)

Previous Education

B.A. in Marketing and Business Administration

Tara Rahimi MBA 24

Profile

Tara Rahimi MBA 24

I chose UC Davis because it offers me the flexibility to work while expanding my education. Moreover, I love the tight-knit community of students, faculty, and staff which makes me feel supported.

Student Leadership and Experience

Bay Area Student Ambassador Program

Previous Education

B.S. in Exercise Physiology, California State University, Chico

Previous Work Experience

Benefits Advisor, Gusto

Fun Facts

I enjoy playing tennis and hiking.
I am bilingual.
I love doing puzzles.

Danielle Kleiner-Kanter MBA 25

Profile

Danielle Kleiner-Kanter MBA 25

I chose UC Davis because I am passionate about the intersection of food, agriculture, and sustainability. At the heart of these fields of study, UC Davis was a natural choice.

Student Leadership and Experience

Co-President, Net Impact

Previous Education

B.A. in Anthropology, Macalester College

Previous Work Experience

Consumer Insights Consultant, The Hartman Group

Fun Facts

I am a long distance cyclist. My favorite ride was over four days from Santa Barbara to San Diego!
I took up knitting during the pandemic. It is pretty cool to design and wear clothes that I have made

Fitzjames Ryan MBA 24

Profile

Fitzjames Ryan MBA 24

I chose UC Davis because it has a stellar reputation and delivers quality education. The Part-Time MBA program is flexible and allows me to pursue my degree while working full-time.

Current Position

Materials Technologist at Sandia National Laboratory

Previous Work Experience

Assay Technology

Previous Education

B.S. in Chemistry, UC Santa Barbara

Min Zhu MBA 25

Profile

Min Zhu MBA 25

Choosing UC Davis was driven by its leadership in the food and agriculture sector and its prime location between San Francisco and Sacramento. The university's renowned programs and proximity to industry hubs offer unparalleled opportunities for hands-on learning, professional growth and a vibrant professional network.

Student Leadership and Experience

Finance Association
Net Impact
Food and Wine Leadership

Previous Education

B.S. in Nutrition and Food Science from University of Leeds
M.S. in Food Science from University of Missouri

Previous Work Experience

Research and

Nicolas Seto MBA 25

Profile

Nicolas Seto MBA 25

I chose UC Davis because it offers students the chance to learn from its renowned faculty and industry leaders through tailored industry immersions in the Bay Area.

Student Leadership and Experience

Officer Role: Academic Liaison, Associated Students of Management
Club Membership: Net Impact, Marketing and Product Management

Previous Education

B.S. in Computer Science, San Jose State University

Previous Work Experience

Software Application Engineer, Workday

Fun Facts

I am a big foodie who enjoys traveling, and have been to 10 countries to date.
My spouse and I are both

Simrun Bhandal MBA 25

Profile

Simrun Bhandal MBA 25

I choose UC Davis because it’s close to home and the school's excellent reputation.

Student Leadership and Experience

ASM Director of Marketing and Outreach
GSM Student Ambassador Director of Outreach

Previous Education

Bachelor's in Business Marketing and Management, California State University East Bay

Previous Work Experience

Marketing Coordinator, New Faze Development
Marketing Coordinator, The Warren Group

Fun Facts

I can’t live without coffee or soda.
During my free time, I enjoy cooking new recipes and baking sweet treats for my family.
I don’t know how to

Allison Judy MBA 25

Profile

Allison Judy MBA 25

Choosing UC Davis, I transitioned from teaching AP Chemistry in SoCal to pursue opportunities in the health industry. With a passion for curriculum management, I was drawn to UC Davis's biotech immersion program and community. The warm welcome from student ambassadors and admissions sealed my decision. I'm excited to bring that kindness forward in my interactions here.