Jamila Mensah ’00 began to truly appreciate the impact of volunteers during the three years she worked for the Office of Admissions. Beyond her assigned responsibilities, Mensah spoke to prospective students and participated in the VISION program, an initiative that brought strong minority applicants to campus.
As a student at Rice, Mensah was an active member of the Black Student Association, serving as both vice president and president. After law school, she returned to Houston and became active in the Association of Rice University Black Alumni. Now as the chair of ARUBA, Mensah and her executive board meet regularly with the Black Student Association to help with their planning and budgeting for the year. “Many of the current ARUBA board members are former officers of the BSA,” Mensah shared. “It is a very full circle experience.”
Mensah also volunteers with the R Association, participating in career-day programs and talking to current student athletes about life after Rice.
Rice had an enormous impact on my life, and I’m reminded of that daily in the ways I move through the world. Rice is a big part of who I am, and volunteering is the easiest way to stay connected to that part of my life. I value talking to students, especially Black students, and helping them navigate their education and their future.
If you are interested in volunteering for an alumni affinity group, please visit our volunteer opportunities page to read more and sign up.