By Letty Fernandez

RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The UTRGV Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship has been named one of the Best Business Schools for Women for 2021 by College Consensus, a unique new college review aggregator.

UTRGV was ranked 23^rd among the 50 schools surveyed.

Dr. Lance Nail, dean of the college, said he is very proud of the latest ranking and credits the work of the faculty. 

“We work to prepare students so that they can succeed in their academic career and professional endeavors,” Nail said. “Our faculty have carefully designed our programs with the purpose of helping students gain a comprehensive understanding of the business world and how it impacts society.” 

One alumna who is proud to be a part of the Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship is Alejandra Jimenez, of Brownsville, who is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Business Analytics. She said the college has provided her with many opportunities to grow as a student, entrepreneur and student leader.

"UTRGV has programs and activities to help students learn about leadership and entrepreneurship. Our dean, Dr. Lance Nail, and the faculty are huge supporters of our students,” Jimenez said. 

Jimenez, who was recently named the recipient of the 2021 James and Kathleen Collins Future Texas Business Legend Award by the Texas Business Hall of Fame, currently works as a full-time administrative assistant at H-E-B and is the owner of A&J Custom Creations.

As a graduate student, Jimenez is involved in student organizations – president of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (CEO) at UTRGV in Brownsville – competitions, webinars and the Adopt-a-Startup program created by Dr. Sylvia Robles, assistant professor of Practice in the College of Business and Entrepreneurship. The program is part of the university’s Service-Learning Entrepreneurship courses.

“I had the opportunity to be part of this amazing class, work with an entrepreneur, and create a business plan,” Jimenez said. “I learned so much and I have been able to apply what I have learned in my current job and the business I created.”

In the Adopt-a-Startup program, students adopt a real startup business, owned mostly by women, and assist local entrepreneurs and the business community by creating a sustainable business model.

“My mission is to empower these creative and amazing UTRGV female students, encouraging them by providing the tools and resources to foster the entrepreneurial ecosystem,” Robles said.

“I motivate my students to work hard to achieve their goals, despite any circumstances. I am proud to share that several female students have launched their own startups after being involved with local entrepreneurs.”

In the survey ranking the Best Business Schools for Women, College Consensus identified the schools with the highest percentage of female students. Each business school listed was required to have women faculty, administrators, or leaders guiding the students and “who understand the unique balance that it takes to be a successful part of the business industry as a woman.”

To view the listing by College Consensus, visit Best Business Schools for Women 2021 | Top Business Schools Investing in the Education and Leadership of Women (collegeconsensus.com).

 

ABOUT COLLEGE CONSENSUS

College Consensus creates a ranking of the Best Business Schools for Women. The 2021 ranking lists the top business schools intentionally investing in women leadership. All the schools in this ranking are AACSB accredited. For information, visit www.collegeconsensus.com.