Introducing Rachel Bandelaria, New MSBA Program Manager

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As a Southern California native, I have never lived outside of San Diego for close to 24 years.

Transitioning and moving to the San Francisco Bay Area has been one of the biggest challenges of my life. I knew almost no one in San Francisco or anything about it.

On my first day on campus I was introduced to Rachel Bandelaria, the newest staff member for the UC Davis Master of Science in Business Analytics program.

A San Francisco native, Bandelaria knew the answer to every single question I had, whether it was a great restaurant recommendation, the best hiking trails, or community events to help me further immerse myself in the city—and the list goes on. (Tip: check out the ice-skating rink at Union Square in December.)

The MSBA staff, and the recent addition of Bandelaria, is a large part of what makes the UC Davis experience so special. Every step of the way I have felt welcomed, from my first phone call with MSBA Deputy Director of Admissions John Lyon before I applied, to my first interview with MSBA Executive Director Amy Russell, to meeting Camille Mack, Shachi Govil and Bandelaria in person on my first day on the San Francisco campus.

Their involvement in the program is the reason I enrolled at UC Davis and the reason why I chose to be a part of the Graduate Student Analyst (Grad STATS) program, which allows us to work closely with administrators on initiatives related to the student experience, program outreach, market intelligence and analytics.

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The opportunity to work with Bandelaria and the staff almost every day has shown me not only the hard work it takes to orchestrate such a prestigious program, but also the standard I want to hold for myself in the workplace.

I can see now why the UC Davis MSBA program is ranked number one worldwide for 10-year return on investment of the degree. The staff and faculty I’ve met so far made that possible because of their passion for preparing students for rewarding and impactful careers in business analytics.

I recently had the opportunity to ask Bandelaria about her experiences, position, and what led her to join the MSBA team.

Here are highlights from our conversation:

What attracted you to UC Davis and the MSBA program?

MSBA Executive Director Amy Russell, now the School’s senior director of admission and student services, initiated my interest, and the welcoming environment from the staff, faculty and students created my adoration for the program. As someone who attended a UC, being able to work for another UC is such a full-circle experience for me.

How has your previous experience (degree, jobs) prepared you as MSBA program manager?

I have always wanted to work in an educational setting and in a position where I could help others. I grew up wanting to be someone that helps students as I was part of a program that provided me with a mentor. I took up becoming a mentor during my time as an undergrad. When I became a mentor, this was during the pandemic, a time when people can feel very isolated. I wanted to be that support for other students, especially for students who were entering college during a pandemic.

I am so thankful to be a part of this program and to work with such an amazing team, where we get to see the growth and success of students.

As program manager, what is one of the favorite aspects of your position?

Getting to know the students. Being able to see them on campus, chat with them, and work with them. It makes me happy to know that they have such a rich student experience and that if they need help, they can rely on me for support.

Student-led events are just one of my favorite aspects of this role. I get to help students strategize and organize an event for their fellow classmates. Once executed, being there and seeing the students have fun and connect is so gratifying.

You are at the intersection of administration and academia. How do you handle both?

Ultimately, my role is to provide leadership and strategy for student-related programs, events, and activities. This encompasses being able to help with student inquiries, presenting resources and opportunities to students, and being able to cultivate a positive student experience.

What are some hobbies/interests you have outside of work?

I enjoy sewing, reading and trying new restaurants. I took up sewing in 2017 because I leaned into sustainable fashion and being able to rework or reuse items in my closet will leave a smaller environmental footprint.

I have always enjoyed reading books and took it upon myself to read more in 2023. Specific genres I enjoy are science fiction books. I love finding new hidden gems in San Francisco and the bay area. I am always on the lookout for a good food spot, especially if they are small businesses.