In Memory of Tom Hicks
Distinguished investor, sports leader, and McCombs School of Business alumnus leaves an enduring legacy of leadership and philanthropy
News
Year-End Roundup
A dozen business insights from the past year
Sales Team ‘Rookie of the Year’
New UT competitors stun at international meet against students from 80 schools
Hildebrand MBA Takes Lucky 13 in Poets & Quants Ranking
For the second year running, McCombs’ Hildebrand MBA takes a historic high in the nation’s most comprehensive MBA ranking
For Knowledge Scouts, Broader Isn’t Better
Innovation scouts who work across multiple divisions struggle to launch products successfully
Owning a Business, the ETA Way
Texas McCombs is embracing the fast-rising trend of ‘entrepreneurship through acquisition’
Lessons Learned From the Space Shuttle
Backtracks can create breakthroughs: NASA’s 1969-71 design process offers a road map for today’s breakthrough inventions, from rockets to new drugs
Mills Ending Term as Dean in 2026
Award-winning educator and top-ranked scholar to return to faculty after a one-year sabbatical
To Make AI More Fair, Tame Complexity
Biases in AI models can be reduced by better reflecting the complexities of the real world
Among the Top 50 Professors
Exemplary teaching and high-impact research propel McCombs’ Insiya Hussain onto Poets & Quants’ annual list
Mulva Hall Construction
Construction is well underway on Mulva Hall, the future 17-story home for McCombs undergraduate classrooms, faculty offices, and community spaces.
Research Funding Opportunities
We are pleased to announce the continued success of the McCombs Undergraduate Research Assistant Program.
Upcoming Research Events
Join us throughout the month of December for upcoming research events, lunches and seminars.
A Special Thank-You!
The 2025 Ph.D. Conference was an outstanding success, made possible by the invaluable participation and contributions of our supportive dean, Lillian Mills, esteemed faculty, dedicated Ph.D. students, and distinguished alumna, Dorothy E. Leidner. We were deeply honored to have them share their profound insights, experiences, and expertise.
Ph.D. Student Spotlight
This month we are highlighting Ph.D. student Nathan Herrmann
Ph.D. Student Spotlight
This month we are highlighting Ph.D. student John-Patrick Akinyemi
Complexity: Friend or Foe of Information Systems?
Problems arise when systems form adaptive, unstructured connections
Happy Accidents
Sometimes our biggest advances in understanding arise from unexpected places
Leading Forward
A look at the leadership guiding McCombs through a moment of transition — and shaping what comes next
Hildebrand MBA Programs To Get New Leader
Joe Hahn is passing the torch to Urooj Khan
Texas McCombs Academy Starts 2 New Undergraduate Programs
More than 50 students took part in the Investment Banking Accelerator, an intensive program to help undergraduates gain essential business…
Ethics Unwrapped Wins 2 Medals for Video Excellence
Ethics Unwrapped, the educational video series housed at the Center for Leadership and Ethics at McCombs, won a silver and a bronze medal in The Telly Awards for 2025.
![SCP 4146[50]](https://news.mccombs.utexas.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SCP_414650-450x300.jpg?v=1746113847)
Energy Production Drives U.S. Global Strength
Hutchison, geopolitical speakers agree that energy production is vital to the nation’s impact worldwide and security at home
McCombs By the Numbers
Paper Wins Prestigious JAMS Award
Texas McCombs faculty member honored for article on AI for social good
Laura Starks Receives Honorary Doctorate From Swiss University
The University of Zurich gave honorary doctorates to McCombs finance professor Laura Starks, B.A. ’72, Ph.D. ’81, and seven other people
Texas Exes Give Teaching Award To John Doggett And Sandy Leeds
Texas Exes, the ex-students association at The University of Texas at Austin, has named John Doggett and Sandy Leeds of the McCombs School of Business to its Texas 10 list
Faculty Endowments
New appointments recognize faculty members’ outstanding contributions
A Passion for Coffee
3 MBA Graduates Market Patented Machine For Creating A Cold Brew They Say Makes Java Lovers Jump For Joy
Defining Moments
Last spring, our photographers captured the spirit of McCombs School of Business graduates during their convocation ceremonies on May 9-10
Longtime Friends Grow Nonprofit To Help Those With Rare Diseases
In 2023, longtime friends Ankitha Gantasala, a McCombs integrated MPA student, and Sophia Pirani, a Northwestern University student, revived and expanded Painted Hope, their nonprofit to help people with rare diseases
Tops in Sports Analytics
MSM students awarded championship at national competition
School Shop Class Inspires BBA Student’s Woodworking Business
In 2016, Ryan Daly, BBA ’25, turned his passion for woodworking into an e-commerce business
To Engage Video Viewers, Make More Personal Recommendations
Platforms like TikTok could boost viewing times by grouping users to better match their preferences
Poets & Quants Names Yoguchi As A 2025 Best & Brightest MBA
Hiro Yoguchi, MBA ’25, said he chose Texas McCombs because of its world-class resources in his areas of interest, its small Japanese student population (allowing him to experience being a minority), and its warm climate.
Consumers Consider: Coincidence or Divine Intervention?
Belief in a higher power influences reactions to corporate crimes and punishments
Meet The Hildebrand Scholars
6 Standout MBA Students in Program’s Inaugural Cohort will Shape a New Legacy of Leadership at Texas McCombs
In Memory of Jon Brumley
Distinguished Fort Worth entrepreneur and friend of Texas McCombs leaves indelible mark on UT community
McCombs Graduates Shine at Longhorn 100
Their businesses fill the top 10 and 46 slots overall in the Texas Exes awards
Hard Hats and High Hopes
Students representing McCombs’ Class of 2029 get the scoop on Mulva Hall
Summer Program Gives Students a Startup Mindset
Students pursuing an entrepreneurship minor through McCombs gain startup perspective during summer program
Alumni Events + Photos
McCombs Alumni Summer Celebrations, June-August
Young Workers New Leaders
Gen Z and Millennials are Changing Their Workplaces, and Their Leaders are Responding
Marc Ross Named To NAA Hall Of FameNational Apartment Association Honoree
Marc Ross, BBA ’80, awarded for innovation in the fast-changing rental housing industry
Inspired By Aztec Goddess of Health, Rocío León’s Tozi Superfoods Takes 1st in H-E-B Texas Best Contest
Austin business started by Texas McCombs graduate wins $25,000 and placement on store shelves
A Leader’s Path
From student to C-suite, Alana Williams, MBA ’18, shows how curiosity and relationships shaped her growth and progress
Having Serious Fun
Clayton Spencer, BBA ’03, Built Poncho Outdoors to Reflect His Passion for Wild Places — and a Culture of Camaraderie
Alumni Notes
Alumni notes from the 1980s through the 2020s.