MSTC
Meet the MSTC Student Ambassadors
Connect with recent graduates and current MSTC students who can answer questions about their experience at Texas McCombs, balancing work and grad school and life in the program. Student ambassadors don't address admissions questions but can share their personal experiences as a student.
Student Ambassadors
Meet Ben
- Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO (All over for the Army). Currently Atlanta, GA
- Undergraduate Institution: United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, B.S. in Maritime Operations and Technology
- Graduate Institution: Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Years of work experience: 17 years in operations, technology product management, and naval service. Most recently a Principal Product Manager at Amazon Web Services (AWS), leading pricing for database services. He continues to serve as an officer in the US Navy Reserve, where his experience has ranged from Naval Special Warfare support to Foreign Military Sales at the Pentagon.
- “An MBA taught me how to run a business. MSTC is teaching me how to build one. I wanted frameworks designed specifically for taking a technology or idea from concept to market, and this program is the only one I found that delivers exactly that, backed by one of the strongest names in higher education.”
Meet Jason
- Hometown: Abilene, TX
- Undergraduate Institution: Abilene Christian University, B.A. in Political Science and English with a minor in Public Service; Auburn University, B.S. in Computer Science
- Graduate Institution: University of Oklahoma, M.A. in International Relations
- Years of work experience: 15 years of military experience in the missile defense, space operations, and offensive cyber domains. 8 years as a software engineer modernizing the US Navy fleet, focused on cloud infrastructure, CI/CD pipelines, containerization, and AI-assisted development. He also works with Frontier AI labs training frontier models, building and adjudicating the benchmark tasks used to test what these models can actually do.
- “The military gave me leadership experience and my engineering career gave me the technical side, but I never really learned the business side. I wanted to fill in that gap, and MSTC seemed like the perfect launchpad into my next adventure. My plan is to take the skills, knowledge, and connections I gain here and use them to start or join a new venture. I take ‘What starts here changes the world’ to heart, and I plan on following through with it.”
Meet Jarred
- Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA (currently in Houston, TX)
- Undergraduate Institution: Duquesne University, BSBA in Information Systems
- Graduate Institution: Duquesne University, MBA
- Years of work experience: 12 years in enterprise technology. 7 years as a business analyst on ERP systems at a global coatings manufacturer, then Senior Product Owner for digital products in retail.
- “I already have an MBA and didn’t want a second one. I’ve spent my career building products inside big companies, but I’d never taken a new technology from an idea to an actual business on my own. This program teaches exactly that, things like customer discovery, raising money, and go-to-market. The class schedule works for people who have been in the workforce a while, and being part of UT and the Austin startup scene was a big plus.“
Meet JJ
- Hometown: Odessa, Texas (home of Friday Night Lights). Currently lives in Fort Walton Beach, FL
- Undergraduate Institution: Excelsior University, BS in Information Technology
- Years of work experience: 20 years, retired, Special Forces (Green Beret) working with advanced technology. 8 years working with SOCOM Special Operations Forces Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (SOF AT&L)
- “In AT&L, we provide full life-cycle management by developing technologies within the science and technology directorate, producing and fielding them in programs of record through PEOs, and providing full sustainment through the logistics directorate. I chose MSTC because it gave me the additional information I needed to succeed working with SOF AT&L. MSTC helped me bridge the gap between the developers, end users, and stakeholders for startups and improvements to existing technologies already in use.”
Meet Kelly
- Hometown: Austin, TX (grew up in Marble Falls, TX)
- Undergraduate Institution: Texas State University, B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Business Administration
- Years of work experience: 8 years of professional experience, during which she has worked in construction SAAS cloud software, fuel management software sales, and currently as a Sr. Customer Success Manager at Amazon.
- “I chose the MSTC program to expand my knowledge of GTM strategies and product management, and to apply these skills not only in a corporate environment but also in an entrepreneurial one.”
Meet Luz
- Hometown: San Miguel de Curis, Huancavelica, Peru & Austin, Texas
- Undergraduate Institution: University of Memphis, Tennessee, B.S. in International Business, Minor in Spanish
- Years of work experience: 11+ years of experience in customer service, program management, and international cultural and education program coordination across higher education, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations. Her experience in English–Spanish–Quechua interpretation and cross-cultural engagement has also given her a unique international perspective.
- “I chose the MSTC program to strengthen my skills in innovation, business strategy, and entrepreneurship. Working at the Cockrell School of Engineering, I see groundbreaking research and emerging technologies every day, and I want to learn how to turn these ideas into real-world impact and viable opportunities. I also value that MSTC is designed for working professionals, allowing me to continue growing in my career while applying what I learn directly to my work.”
Meet Rogelio
- Hometown: Austin, TX
- Undergraduate Institution: St. Edward’s University, B.A. in Professional Photography & Journalism
- Years of work experience: 5+ years of digital marketing experience across analytics, strategy, content production, CRM, and website development. He recently launched Govela Marketing, a boutique Austin agency that helps local builders, contractors, and real estate professionals grow through content creation, video production, and marketing services.
- “I came into MSTC with a creative and marketing background and hands-on experience in custom home building, and I wanted the business and technical foundation to turn ideas into scalable companies. Starting Govela Marketing showed me how much I still had to learn about the financial and strategic side of running a business. MSTC gave me a direct path to that. Courses in accounting, negotiation, and technology commercialization are already changing how I price my services, structure deals, and evaluate opportunities. And being at McCombs, in my hometown, means I can build my network here in Austin while building my company at the same time.”
Meet Tatiana
- Hometown: Fairfield, CT
- Undergraduate Institution: Lehigh University, B.A. in History with a Pre-Med concentration & Africana Studies minor
- Years of work experience: 7 years in tech (fintech + SaaS solutions) with roles across customer success, implementation/delivery & product management. 6+ years in financial services with roles across client service, financial planning and investment advisory operations at wealth management and asset management firms.
- “I chose the MSTC program to develop the skills and foundational go-to-market knowledge required to launch my own venture, to grow my network of friends/colleagues, to find a mentor, and to officially become a Texas Longhorn!”
Meet Z
- Hometown: Washington and California, Currently Austin, TX
- Undergraduate Institution: Washington State University, B.A. in Accounting
- Graduate Institution: University of Southern California, MBA & Urban Planning
- Years of work experience: 15+ years of experience collectively in program & project management, strategy & management consulting, corporate tech industry, real estate profession, and Military Veteran.
- “I chose the MSTC program for a career pivot to develop and gain the knowledge of entrepreneurship, innovation, and venture capital with the privilege of being a part of the UT Austin Longhorn community.”
Alumni Ambassadors
Meet Andre
- Hometown: Quito, Ecuador and Austin, TX
- Undergraduate Institution: Trinity University
- Undergraduate Major: B.A with a focus on Marketing and Entrepreneurship
- Years of work experience: 10 years of experience in product management, product development, CPG, and AI chatbot architecture. A pivoted in recent years to entrepreneurship and practice in starting businesses.
- “The MSTC program is the perfect fit for my background in tech, business, and entrepreneurship. While I explored MBA options, this program was the only one that aligned with my career goals and provided the specific framework I was looking for.“
Meet Chris
- Hometown: Canberra, Australia
- Undergraduate Institution: University of Queensland
- Undergraduate Major: Engineering
- Years of work experience: 24 years as an engineer, primarily in environment and water.
- “I feel confident having chosen the MSTC program. As we develop some amazing technology in class, completing engineering projects and driving revenue using the framework taught as part of the course will be key to my career moving forward. The faculty are top notch and our classmates are amazing. I really look forward to class weekend. I’ve developed amazing relationships both professional and personal.”
Meet Christianna
- Hometown: Carlisle, PA
- Undergraduate Institution:
- Undergraduate Major: BA in Communications
- Years of work experience: 20 years / 4 years as an Active Duty U.S. Army Officer and 16 years of corporate industry experience
- “The MSTC program offers its students many unique benefits and opportunities, and being a student ambassador allows me to share those insights so forward-looking students can make informed decisions about their academic future.”
Meet Dennis
- Hometown: Buffalo, NY
- Undergraduate Institution: University of North Texas
- Undergraduate Major: B.B.A in Business Analytics
- Years of work experience: 10 years of experience working in tech as a product manager and two time founder. The products he has brought to market have either been in the B2B SaaS, more focused on federal customers or on the consumer side in the wellness/sports space.
- “I chose MSTC because I was looking for a graduate MBA-like program whose core outcome was not “consultant.” I also needed a program that would allow me to work full time. MSTC let me simultaneously build real entrepreneurial skills like customer discovery, fundraising, and go-to-market strategy while also strengthening my corporate marketability through a UT McCombs credential and a powerful alumni network. It was the rare program that let me de-risk the future of my young family without having to choose between the startup path and career advancement. Additionally, my spouse is a PhD candidate at UT, my kids are in daycare at UT, and I really felt left out.“
Meet John
- Hometown: Lagos Nigeria & Houston, Texas
- Undergraduate Institution: Kelley School of Business, Indiana University
- Undergraduate Major: Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology
- Years of work experience: 7+ Years, Product Leader, FinTech. As a Product Leader in fintech, he built and commercialized scalable products and platforms that solve real financial problems, working at the intersection of technology, strategy, and user needs.
- “I wanted a practical program that would allow me to continue gaining work experience while earning a top-notch degree. I found MSTC to be the perfect balance. The program brings together accomplished classmates and faculty who challenge you to grow to the next level as a corporate innovator or founder.“
Meet Michele
- Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
- Undergraduate Institution: University of Texas at Austin
- Undergraduate Major: B.A in Government (Political Science) with a minor in Business Foundations
- Years of work experience: Early-career professional with experience in legal, policy, and technology startup environments
- “The MSTC program stood out to me because it’s hands-on and practical, giving students the opportunity to work on real projects while learning how technologies move from concept to market.”
Meet Mukta
- Hometown: Seminole, Texas
- Undergraduate institution: UT Austin
- Undergraduate Degree: Marketing
- Years of work experience: 25+ years in the pharmaceutical /biotech industry both from a medical side and commercial side.
- “I chose the MSTC program because I wanted to expand beyond the boundaries of my industry and engage with the leading edge of innovation. After many years in a single space, I found fewer opportunities to explore new disciplines, especially the technical side of how ideas are built and scaled. In today’s environment, success requires the ability to think differently, adapt quickly, and understand how technology is reshaping business. I didn’t want to be reacting to change I wanted to be part of driving it. MSTC stood out because it is designed for professionals like me who bring strong business experience but want to deepen their understanding of technology and commercialization. It bridges that gap in a very practical way.”
Meet Nessie
- Hometown: Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Undergraduate institution: Yuan Ze University (BA in Global Business Management)
- Graduate institution: King’s College London (MS in Marketing with a specialization in Neuroscience and Consumer Behavior)
- Years of work experience: 4+ years of working across venture and go-to-market in the UK and US for early-stage deep-tech startups in AI and climate tech, helping startups sharpen their commercial and product marketing strategies. She has also led institutional partnerships with organizations ranging from global banks to government-backed research bodies.
- “I started my career running end-funnel marketing for early-stage tech companies—campaigns, content, digital presence. But as I moved into more product-focused work, I realized my background didn’t give me enough to work with when it came to actually bringing early-stage tech to market. MSTC gave me the framework I was missing in customer discovery, prototyping, go-to-market, and UT and Austin gave me the environment to put it into practice.”
Meet Ray
- Hometown: Dallas Fort-Worth, Texas
- Undergraduate Institution: Morehouse College
- Undergraduate Major: Bachelor in Business Administration
- Years of work experience: Over 10 years of experience delivering technical sales solutions to government agencies.
- “The MSTC program is in a class of its own and hard to compare against others. The program equipped me with the tools to either build a company from the ground up or step into an existing organization and drive immediate impact against key objectives. It provided a well-rounded foundation across product, sales, leadership, and financial strategy. The experience closely mirrors real-world business environments, emphasizing teamwork, goal attainment, and balancing organizational priorities with individual responsibilities. You will benefit from the in person time from the professors and fellow cohort members. Plus, I think that I look great in burnt orange.”
Meet Ryan
- Hometown: Saint Paul, MN
- Undergraduate Institution: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
- Undergraduate Major: Economics
- Years of work experience: 6 years of experience in medical device sales, where he worked closely with cross-functional teams, customers, and technical stakeholders to solve complex problems and deliver value.
- “MSTC stood out for its hands-on, real-world approach to taking technologies from concept to market. The curriculum’s focus on venture creation, product development, commercialization strategy, and customer validation aligned closely with my background in entrepreneurship and medical device sales, making it a strong fit for my pivot into product management.”
Meet Sean
- Hometown: Houston, TX
- Undergraduate Institution: University of Texas at San Antonio
- Undergraduate Major: Communications
- Years of work experience: 20, primarily in Financial Technology and most recently as a Director of Product Management
- “I have a passion for bringing new products to market, and the MSTC program has been instrumental in building my foundation for success.”
Meet Tiffany
- Hometown: Arlington, Texas, home of the Texas Rangers.
- Undergraduate Institution: University of Texas at Arlington.
- Undergraduate Major: BA in Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Years of work experience: 24 years in IT across healthcare, energy, military retail, and technology. Her experience spans network operations, enterprise infrastructure, military Exchange retail partner and EDI support, end user support, Microsoft licensing, online and on-prem systems engineering, and program and project management, with stops along the way in some of the largest corporations in their respective industries.
- “I chose MSTC because I wanted to advance my career without putting my life on hold. My elevator pitch is simple: I did not want my experience to outpace my education. When I found MSTC it seemed perfect. Every two weeks, set classes, one year, and less than half the time and cost of an MBA were the deciding factors in reframing graduate school from a heavy load to something manageable. The ability to immediately apply what I am learning to my professional life has been remarkable. MSTC transformed my career from day one.“