Every year, the Texas McCombs Working Professional and Executive MBA Admissions Team meets with hundreds of people interested in pursuing their MBA. Our Admissions Officers are experts in helping people navigate the application process and cultivating a class of diverse ideas and talents.
Get to know more about them, below. 🤘
Rodrigo Malta
Managing Director of MBA Recruiting and Admissions
Rodrigo Malta, also known as Digo, is originally from Brazil and immigrated to the United States during high school. He earned his MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business, and his bachelor’s degree in management from Missouri State University. Before and after his MBA, Digo worked for Fortune 100 companies in internal audit and marketing in the telecom and technology industries.
One of Rodrigo’s proudest moments was becoming a United States citizen in 2008, which was the same year Rodrigo joined Texas McCombs as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions, Lead Diversity Recruiter for the Full-Time MBA program.
“I was a McCombs Ambassador Committee co-chair as an MBA student and that experience ignited my passion for admissions and higher education. In 2008, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to transition from tech to higher education and never looked back.”
He now serves as Managing Director of MBA Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions over Texas McCombs’ Full Time, Evening, Weekend – Dallas, Weekend – Houston, and Executive MBA programs. His most rewarding experience is working with his team and representing the Longhorn Community all over the world. Digo is an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is passionate about building a collaborative work environment where individuals can be their authentic selves.
“We bring together students from all corners of the world with unique personal stories and varied professional backgrounds. Add in our award-winning faculty members and this is the perfect recipe for lively class discussions and an amazing learning environment.”
Digo says the best thing you can do when applying to Texas McCombs is to be authentic and ensure your application highlights who you are personally and professionally.
“Focus on the things you can control and be yourself. Engage with us in a purposeful manner, but do not over do it.”
When Digo is not reading applications, you can find him at the movies, enjoying tacos and margaritas, or spending time with his husband and two dogs.
Connect with Rodrigo on LinkedIn.
Sharon Barrett
Director of Working Professional and Executive MBA Recruiting and Admissions
Sharon Barrett grew up in Houston but has called Austin home for over 30 years. She is a University of Texas alumna and has worked on the McCombs MBA Admissions Team for 13 years. Before McCombs, she spent time in marketing and program management at various financial institutions and professional associations.
“I love our team. Everyone is very dedicated and mission-driven. We are energized by our students who bring the UT slogan ‘What Starts Here Changes the World’ to life!”
Sharon enjoys getting to know the students and seeing all the different paths the MBAs take when they graduate.
“I’m constantly rewarded by seeing the career trajectory of our alumni over the years. Every week my LinkedIn account announces numerous promotions and career advancement stories. Our students and alumni are truly amazing!”
When applying to McCombs, Sharon says it’s important to remain professional and understand the application components.
“Keep in mind that every interaction you have with a university is part of your candidacy. Take care to keep emails and inquiries professional. Our application process is also a bit different from most other universities. It’s always refreshing when applicants have read through and understand our process before getting started.”
If you’ve been thinking about getting about getting an MBA, Sharon says to just go for it.
“Speaking from a personal perspective, getting your MBA never gets easier or cheaper. Just do it!”
Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn.
Christie Jenkins
Evening MBA Recruiting and Admissions Officer
Christie Jenkins is from Vernon, Texas, a 10-ish stoplight town near the Texas Panhandle. She attended the University of Oklahoma for undergrad and earned her MBA from the Working Professional program at The University of Illinois.
Christie discovered her love for admissions when she was a campus tour guide during her undergrad.
“…it turns out, I love talking about why you should get an education. There weren’t a lot of opportunities around me growing up in rural Texas, and higher education has opened doors for me that I would’ve never dreamed of as a kid. I love being able to help others accomplish more than they ever imagined too.”
Christie encourages applicants to set themselves up for success by taking their time with their applications, attending events, and reaching out to admissions or current students.
“Stepping outside of your comfort zone to apply for something – especially when you’re not sure if it will work out – is scary. I encourage you to go for it and give it your best effort anyway. Attend an application overview workshop to hear all of our tips. Give yourself plenty of time and commit genuine effort into studying for the GMAT, GRE, or EA. Ask a friend to review your essays and resume. Prepare for your admissions interview in the same way you would a job interview. Don’t sell yourself short by sandbagging it and not giving it your best effort. Doing these things will not only help you earn admission, but they will also help you prepare for the program and get the most out of it.”
Christie joined the Admissions and Recruiting team in April 2020. She says she chose McCombs because she likes working with the best and brightest.
“Texas McCombs is the best MBA program in Texas, and the Evening MBA program is ranked #7 in the country. It’s inspiring to be in an environment around faculty and staff who are the best at what they do, and students who are the future business leaders of the world.”
If you are still on the fence about applying, Christie has some advice.
“Don’t count yourself out. Looking at our rankings and class profile can be intimidating; and while I am proud of the prestige of our program and the accomplishments of our students and faculty, it may make our programs seem out of reach to some applicants. We are looking for students from all walks of life and we understand that you can bring more to the program than what is on your resume and transcripts. Research shows that having a diversity of backgrounds in the room leads to better outcomes in business and creates a richer experience for everyone in the classroom.”
Christie says that earning her MBA was one of the best decisions she has ever made.
“Getting my MBA was challenging in the best way, personally and professionally rewarding, and exposed me to new skills and ways of thinking that I may not have encountered otherwise. But beyond all the tangible benefits, it gave me the confidence to speak up when I have an idea to share, ask questions when something doesn’t make sense to me, and know I can get through any paper, no matter how dense or boring it is.”
Connect with Christie on LinkedIn.
Emily Le
MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth Recruiting and Admissions Officer
Emily Le is a UT alumna who grew up in Plano, Texas. After completing her undergrad at the McCombs School of Business, she earned her Master’s in Accounting at the University of Southern California and started her career in Big 4 Public Accounting. After several years in finance then switching to recruiting, she realized her passion for relationships and helping people.
“After having a front-row seat to my husband going through the MBA program and the impact the experience had on his professional and personal development, I knew I wanted to be involved in helping future MBA students attain their goals while maintaining the McCombs culture.”
Emily advises all MBAs to “go all-in” when it comes to networking and building relationships within the MBA program through the various opportunities provided early on such as Austin Intensives, residency, and cohorts.
“Even though this is a part-time program, our MBA program is deliberately designed to foster community. It’s conducive for developing camaraderie for student organizations, identifying teammates for micro-consulting projects, networking for future business contacts, and also to build deep friendships that will last beyond the MBA program. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to the alumni network, especially if you identify someone who is on a similar career track to what you’re interested in.”
Emily says the applicants that stand out can clearly articulate how their background ties to their career goals, and how they will leverage the resources in the McCombs MBA to achieve these goals.
“Getting your MBA should not be an impulsive decision or just another degree to add to your resume. We want to see you have been thoughtful in exploring your options and done your research. Likewise, be prepared in your interview to clearly communicate your experiences and why McCombs is right for you. Interviewers can tell when you are holding back or giving cliché answers. We want to actually know YOU and your journey, your goals, and your passions. At the same time, it’s important to still maintain professionalism during an interview.”
Melanie Krugel
MBA at Houston Recruiting and Admissions Officer
Melanie Krugel grew up in Dallas, Texas, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in Communications and Leadership from Gonzaga University.
Melanie was inspired to work in admissions by her previous admissions counselor at the University of Kansas. She said her counselor was integral in helping her throughout her admissions process, helping her convince her parents to let her go to school out of state, and helping her feel a part of the community.
Melanie joined the Admissions and Recruiting team in September 2021, bringing her diverse recruitment and admissions experience to McCombs.
“I absolutely love my job and being in MBA Recruitment! I have the honor and privilege to be part of my student’s MBA journeys from the beginning, graduation, and beyond. These relationships that I have built with my students over time have been incredibly rewarding and I love that I have gotten to be with them every step of the way. To me, there is nothing better than being able to personally deliver the great news that they have been admitted to our program and be a support system for them the rest of the process. I love getting to hear about job and internship offers, being someone that they can come to if things don’t go to plan, and being part of other milestones and life events along the way.”
Melanie chose McCombs for our reputation and world-class education.
“Growing up in Texas I was always aware of UT and the amazing programs offered. I had always heard about how incredible our MBA curriculum was, the expansive alumni network, the dedication to diversity and inclusion, and how phenomenal our students, staff, and faculty are. Before joining McCombs I spent several years in Student Affairs and went on to start my MBA Admissions career at the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business as their Assistant Director of Admissions and Diversity Recruiter. After relocating to Texas and a brief time working in Law School admissions, I realized that I missed working in MBA admissions and there was no better place to be in Texas than at McCombs! I love having the opportunity to recruit new, diverse, and talented Longhorns in the Houston area while still being connected to the UT Campus in Austin.”
For applicants looking to apply to McCombs, Melanie advises you to do your research and take the time to truly build a comprehensive and thoughtful set of essays.
“Getting your MBA is not only a commitment to being in school for two years of your life; it is also a commitment to bettering your personal and professional life. It is so important to really get to know the schools that you are looking at and the people that make up their community. By attending information sessions, visiting campus, and spending time with their students, faculty, and staff you can get a better idea of if you are a good fit for them, and most importantly, if they are a good fit for you.”
Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn.
Talk with our MBA Admissions Team at an upcoming admissions chat, info session, or any other MBA event.
