Spotlight On: Michael Koenig, Associate Dean of Innovation Initiatives, Rice University Jones Graduate School of Business
April 2025 — In an interview with Invest:, Michael Koenig, associate dean of innovation initiatives at Rice University Jones Graduate School of Business, discussed the school’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship as evidenced by a 40% growth in its faculty. “By co-creating and co-delivering content with industry leaders, we ensure that our programs are highly relevant and impactful,” he said.
Given Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship, how do you define innovation in today’s environment?
Rice is best known for its strength in entrepreneurship and innovation. That reputation comes from several factors, including the curriculum we lead not only within the business school but across the entire university. It also owes much to the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, which hosts the world’s largest business plan competition and other forums that spotlight innovation. Our Executive Education programs — both traditional and digital — also play a key role in cultivating entrepreneurial thinking. For example, Deputy Dean Jing Zhou, a leading researcher in creativity and innovation for nearly 25 years, offers a three-day course called Leading Innovation. Ranked among the top 1% of scholars globally in her field, Jing focuses on sustaining innovation and building cultures of creativity. Her course, offered annually in Houston and scheduled for April 2025, reflects these principles. It centers on institutional creativity — how to build and maintain a culture of innovation, generate ideas both big and small, and strategically resource them to create a competitive edge. This is just one example of how we embed innovation into our programs and foster a culture of creativity and change — preparing our faculty and students for the future.
What strategic advantages does the Greater Houston region offer for Rice University and the School of Business?
Houston offers tremendous advantages for Rice University and the School of Business. Its growth, diversity, and industry strengths are unmatched. As the energy capital of the world — spanning both traditional and new energy sectors — Houston is also a hub for medical breakthroughs and an emerging leader in space and maritime industries. The Rice Space Institute, for example, is at the forefront of space-related research and innovation. Dean Peter Rodriguez has emphasized that Rice, with deep roots in this community, has a responsibility to leverage its resources to support regional growth. The business school recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and has grown its faculty by 40% — remarkable for a Top 25 school. This investment underscores our commitment to scaling impact. Much of our recent growth comes from customized programs developed in close partnership with companies to address specific challenges, locally and globally. By co-creating and co-delivering content with industry leaders, we ensure our programs remain highly relevant and effective. Houston’s diverse industries — from energy to medicine to space and maritime — create fertile ground for collaboration and innovation. As the city grows, so does the demand for high-quality education and leadership development — needs we’re uniquely positioned to meet.
With Houston emerging as a growing hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, how does Rice Business foster collaboration between entrepreneurs and established businesses?
Rice Business fosters collaboration in a variety of ways. One example is the new Nexus program, an accelerator for intellectual property emerging from Rice research labs. Located at the Ion, Nexus helps researchers move innovations from lab to marketplace, supporting the creation of impactful companies. We also host industry forums and gatherings that bring together alumni, executive education participants, and business leaders. For instance, we’re partnering with a large Australian-based multinational to organize a full-day program on AI and ethics. The event will include closed sessions with experts and senior leaders, followed by a larger public session at the Ion. These gatherings create space for leaders to ask tough questions, learn from one another, and build partnerships that drive growth. In addition, we collaborate with corporations to design conferences and programs tailored to their specific needs. By leveraging our university setting, we unite diverse stakeholders in a neutral, trusted environment — fostering real connection and knowledge exchange.
How do you anticipate generative AI will reshape executive education, and what role do you envision it playing in the development of leaders at Rice Business?
Right now, we’re focused on engaging faculty conducting research in this space. Many are practitioner faculty — experts who not only research AI but also bring deep real-world experience. This summer, we’re launching a series of courses, starting with one led by Kathleen Perley, a brilliant young faculty member. Designed for maximum reach and impact, her course runs 12 hours over six weeks, with two-hour lunchtime sessions. It’s fully synchronous — live and online — so participants can join from anywhere, without traveling to Houston. The course, The Future of AI: Call to Action for Business Leaders, speaks volumes. AI is evolving rapidly, and countless vendors are promising solutions. The first step is connecting with informed faculty and leaders who can help companies make sound, research-based decisions. We’re also exploring how AI technology is reshaping education itself. For instance, AI enables more personalized learning paths. Over the past year, we’ve developed six to eight fully asynchronous courses in core business disciplines. These flexible modules let learners focus on what’s most relevant to them, given their time and goals. We can also blend them into virtual or hybrid courses — critical for expanding access and impact, even as in-person instruction remains our primary format in Houston.
Looking ahead, what is your vision for how Rice Business will shape the future of executive education over the next few years?
One of our key priorities is engaging thoughtfully with AI. We’re exploring how AI is reshaping the world of work and identifying the human skills — like empathy, leadership, and cultural creation — that will only grow in importance. While AI can automate tasks, it can’t replace distinctly human capabilities. We’re also focused on the ethical and governance challenges of AI, as well as managing organizational change as AI becomes more embedded in business operations. From a programmatic standpoint, we’re building a portfolio that addresses these needs across both credit and executive education offerings. Custom work is another area of emphasis — one of the most powerful aspects of executive education. By embedding our faculty within companies over time, we help them make informed, research-based decisions. These deep partnerships not only drive growth and innovation for the organizations but also enrich our faculty’s own teaching and scholarship.
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