At RICE, we believe in amplifying the voices of entrepreneurs who are doing the work, building solutions, and leading with purpose. Dr. Jasmin Goodman is one of those leaders. A RICE Stakeholder and founder of Vantage IQ and Graduate with a Plan®, Dr. Goodman is a shining example of what happens when intention meets action. After advancing from the Inspire to the Develop stage through RICE’s Big IDEAS curriculum, she was recently named a Truist Foundation Fellow through the Watson Institute, deepening her work at the intersection of education and innovation.
Dr. Goodman is a former professor with more than a decade of classroom experience. Her transition into entrepreneurship was not just strategic, it was personal. “Trust the shift,” she says. “Over the past two decades, I’ve experienced many career (and business!) shifts. I’ve learned that God signals when you’re headed in the right direction by aligning the people, resources, and support you need to carry out the vision.” That vision has become a reality through her two ventures focused on helping students move from uncertainty to opportunity.
Her flagship platform, Vantage IQ, is an AI-powered career planning tool being piloted in three rural high schools across Southeast Georgia. It matches students’ interests and skills with real-time labor market data, helping them identify and pursue purpose-driven careers. “Students and unhappy workers cost the global workforce $8.9 trillion annually,” Dr. Goodman explains. “With the power of AI, we help users align their passions, interests, and skills with the needs of an ever-changing workforce.”
Her second venture, Graduate with a Plan®, complements this mission by giving students and families access to a structured planning experience. The platform helps users take ownership of their next steps—whether that’s college, employment, military service, or entrepreneurship—through accessible tools and self-guided planning modules. “As someone who’s lived 1000 careers, earning a few degrees along the way, it’s my mission to create a tool that helps everyone move from their now to their next in the most efficient way possible.”
As part of her Truist Fellowship, Dr. Goodman is organizing Building Bridges for Student Success: An Evening of Collaboration, bringing together rural educators and community leaders to rethink how students are prepared for life after graduation. Beyond the event, she continues to lead important conversations about identity, education, and opportunity through her podcast Office Hours: Career Pathways for PhDs and her platform The Ratchet Scholar®, which explores authenticity and representation in professional spaces.
Her journey—from completing the IDEAinstitute accelerator, to fully engaging with the RICE ecosystem, to now serving as a Truist Fellow—is a powerful example of what it means to show up with purpose, lean into change, and lead with integrity. At RICE, we couldn’t be prouder to support and celebrate Dr. Goodman’s journey. Her path from the Inspire stage to the Develop stage is a testament to what’s possible when entrepreneurs fully engage in the process, lean into mentorship, and stay grounded in their mission. As she continues to scale her platforms and expand her reach, we know her impact will be felt far beyond the classroom.
To explore more of her work and insights, visit drjasmingoodman.com, follow her YouTube channel, or tune in to her podcast, Office Hours: Career Pathways for PhDs.
