Community
Bridging the Gap
Bauer Alumna Invests in Bauer MBA Communications Initiative
After enjoying a successful marketing career, alumna Rodi Franco (MBA '90) now brings her expertise to Bauer College, helping students in the Full-Time MBA sharpen their communication skills before they graduate and enter the workforce.
Rodi Franco (MBA ’90) has enjoyed a successful career leading marketing and communications for some of Houston’s best-known arts organizations. She and her husband, Robert Franco, provided a generous donation that funds an MBA Communications Initiative for full-time Bauer College MBA students that began in Fall 2019, and she teaches an online course in Marketing for Non-Profits to undergraduates.
We spoke with Franco recently to learn more about her insights on her close connection with the University of Houston and why she is committed to giving back.
Q: What are some of the values you try to embody as a professional and what keeps you excited to be involved as a communications professional and board member of several organizations in the Houston area?
A: During my career, I led the marketing and communication teams for Houston Grand Opera, Alley Theatre, and the Houston Symphony. I was also the president of the Houston Chapter of the American Marketing Association, an unpaid position, when the chapter was recognized as the chapter of the year for revenue and membership growth.
I was thrilled to learn that improving and expanding communication training for Bauer full-time students was a desired initiative. Not only was I able to provide early funding for this initiative, but I was able to engage with students through the program.”
Rodi Franco
MBA ’90
One of the things that gives me the most pride is that I had the opportunity to build teams and train both employees and volunteers. Many of my past employees are now leaders who are promoting art organizations or have moved on to senior management positions in other nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
What drives me is being able to create programs that attract new attendees to events and performances and build new art fans and organization advocates. It is an exceptional joy to work with creative artists as well as to support the passionate efforts of the fundraising and education teams.
Q: You went through the Bauer College MBA program some time ago. What prompted you to seek an MBA and what are some of the best ideas or skills you gleaned from the program?
A: I graduated from Bauer in 1990, that’s three decades ago! Prior to returning to school, I spent five years at NYC advertising agencies working on national accounts, such as FedEx, MCI, and Bulgari Jewelers. When I arrived in Houston after my husband’s firm relocated us, I realized that to grow my career in Houston, I’d need to broaden my knowledge from just advertising to marketing, and I’d need to develop a strategic understanding of how organizations competed and succeeded.
Thinking back to my time at Bauer, I got as much or more from my accounting and information systems courses as I did from my marketing classes. This is why I always encourage students to take courses outside of their core interest. Because UH is Houston’s school, I’ve made lifelong friends, some of whom became professional colleagues.
Q: Please describe the reasons you wanted to be involved in an MBA Communications Initiative and provide a few details about what it involves.
A: While Bauer gave me the knowledge and skills to land my first job as the Marketing Director for Houston Grand Opera, I realized that I lacked the strong communication skills that I’d need to be able to sell ideas to board members. Seeking out opportunities to speak and mastering editing skills were essential. Having strong communications skills is the difference between having a good idea and convincing others to make that idea a reality.
I was thrilled to learn that improving and expanding communication training for Bauer full-time students was a desired initiative. Not only was I able to provide early funding for this initiative, but I was able to engage with students through the program. Specifically, I met students during orientation and at the end of the program to help judge students’ initial and final presentations. How rewarding to see the dramatic improvement! (The class ending in 2020 posted a ninety-five percent internship placement, the highest ever). I was also able to share my career experiences with the students and to personally hand out cash rewards.
My husband I and are lucky to be able to contribute to organizations and several colleges and universities that are important to us and our children. It’s a pleasure to meet with students who are benefiting from our gifts!
I hope that other Bauer alumni who also recognize the importance of communication training for MBA students will join with us to support and expand the current MBA Communications Initiative, which has shown such great success.
