By Arial Starks
Rinji Kassem
Vanderbilt Business is known across the globe for its high caliber of students, faculty, and staff. In this edition of People of Vanderbilt, we spotlight first-year MBA student Rinji Kassem, who shares a little about himself.
What’s your secret talent?
Basketball
Who or what empowers you at Vanderbilt?
The people, the degree to which people are willing to help.
What are 1 or 2 experiences that have really shaped your time here at Vanderbilt?
The experience that shaped my view happened on my first day on campus. I arrived the night before from Nigeria and I had to sleep in a hotel because I couldn’t have housing arranged before arriving. I was walking to orientation, and the first person I was asking directions from happened to be a fellow MBA 2023 candidate and a US military veteran. We chatted a bit, and he found out I slept in a hotel. He took it upon himself to help me find less expensive options while also offering support as I searched for housing. He drove me to several places and still offered to help me move on the day I moved to my apartment. That act shaped my impression of Owen as a community that cares and helps. Since then I have also sought out opportunities to be of service in the community and show care and kindness.
What’s your favorite way to connect with the Vanderbilt Owen community?
I connect with people at Owen through a variety of ways. Weekly closing bells on Thursday is a good way of connecting with people. I also take time to connect with my classmates when I happen to be in the same class section with them. I also connect with people through group projects throughout the Mod. Furthermore, I love to play basketball, and that has been a great place for me to connect with people at Owen.
What’s something you’ve learned about yourself during your time at Vanderbilt?
Owen has helped me discover that I am really good at learning new things, be it sports, sport rules, culture, and food.
Are you in a leadership role associated with Vanderbilt? If so, name the organization and title.
I am leading a team that is consulting on a project for a company in Israel through a course I am taking.
