Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School celebrated a significant milestone on Saturday, Aug. 8, as it graduated the inaugural class of 42 students from the Anthony Bahr ’91 Engineering MBA. This accelerated 12-month program is reshaping the future of technical leadership by providing newly trained engineers with business acumen and hands-on leadership experience.
Created specifically for the best new graduates from Texas A&M University’s top-ranked College of Engineering, the Bahr Engineering MBA uniquely offers a customized MBA for engineers without requiring work experience. Graduates are then able to enter the industry armed with the skills to make an immediate impact and rise to leadership roles without having to pause their careers.
WildFire Energy CEO and co-founder Anthony Bahr ’91 has seen firsthand the growing need for engineers to have strong business skills and, increasingly, early on in their careers. In 2025, he made a generous gift that established the Anthony Bahr ’91 Engineering MBA program and provided financial support for scholarships and enrichment opportunities.
The program’s rigorous curriculum includes in-depth foundations in subjects such as accounting, business analytics, operations, finance, marketing, strategy, business communication, and career development. Students can also pursue electives in areas like finance, marketing, or supply chain, allowing them to deepen their knowledge in key business functions and align their technical background with specific career goals.
“Graduating the first class of Engineering MBAs is an important milestone for Mays and Texas A&M,” said Dr. Nate Y. Sharp, dean of Mays Business School. “Demand is rising nationally for engineers who can lead in cross-functional environments and drive innovation. These outstanding Aggies are beginning their careers with the technical expertise, business acumen, and leadership skills to make an immediate impact. We are incredibly proud of this inaugural class and deeply grateful to Anthony Bahr ’91 for his vision and generosity in creating a program that will benefit generations of Aggie engineers.”
The program’s cohort-based model fostered a strong sense of community, with graduates forging lasting connections with peers, faculty, and program leaders. Students also benefited from tailored career coaching through the Mays Graduate Career Management Center, helping them stand out to employers and accelerate their career trajectories. This individualized support was a key driver of the inaugural class’s 92 percent placement rate. Leadership development and real-world application were emphasized throughout the year, including team-based simulations, case competitions, employer visits, and study abroad opportunities.
Class of 2026 graduate Kishan Patel said those extracurricular events that challenged him to network and build relationships were just as demanding and just as valuable as the course work. “It is not just what you do in the classroom; it is about what you do outside the classroom,” he said. Combined, these experiences helped give him confidence as he enters a full-time role with RoviSys to not just solve problems behind the scenes but also be an active participant in strategic planning. “I want to be able to do the technical work but also stand in front of a room of shareholders and present a tangible solution,” he said.
The 42 students in the first cohort will now make an impact around the country at companies including AMD, Blue Origin, Phillips 66, and Texas Instruments. Many have already started full-time roles, beginning this summer as the final semester of classes were delivered virtually.
Dr. Sarah Rice, associate dean of graduate programs, reflected on what sets the program apart: “Students can immediately build on their technical background, learn to lead teams, influence decisions, and drive strategy. The cohort experience and the chance to solve real business problems alongside peers with similar technical perspectives make these leadership lessons especially relevant and impactful.”
The program’s momentum is already evident in its second year. Enrollment increased by 58 percent for the class of 2027, which recently completed orientation and began classes. As the Bahr Engineering MBA continues to grow, the legacy of its first class serves as an inspiration for future students. Applications are now open for senior engineering students to apply to the fall 2027 cohort. Prospective students are invited to attend upcoming information sessions to learn more about the program’s innovative approach.
Learn more about the Anthony Bahr ’91 Engineering MBA.
About Mays Business School
Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School is building a better future through business. By providing leadership-centered, experiential education to more than 8,000 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students in accounting, finance, management, management information systems, marketing, and supply chain management, Mays consistently ranks among the top public business schools nationally for its programs and faculty research. Our mission is developing leaders of character who make a positive difference in the communities where they live, work, and serve.
