Center for Career Development, Experts in Residence Program
The Experts in Residence (EIR) Program connects Rice students with experienced industry professionals for one-on-one career conversations. Designed to complement the expertise of the Center for Career Development (CCD), the program provides students with direct access to professionals who share industry insights, real-world experiences, and guidance on career exploration, industry trends, and internship and job search strategies.
Parent Regional Event Hosts and Volunteers
The Parent and Family Engagement office works with parents and alumni who are interested in helping with New Student Send-Offs and other social events where Rice parents connect outside of Rice’s campus. Interested volunteers are invited to host social gatherings for Rice parents, volunteer at pre-existing Rice events hosted regionally, or suggest ideas for additional events catered to Rice parents.
New Families Orientation Volunteers
Rice Parents and Alumni have the opportunity to support incoming Rice families at New Families Orientation, the welcome program for incoming families on move-in day hosted by Student Success Initiatives. Volunteers support this initiative by serving as greeters at informational and academic sessions, handing out parent resources at the campus fair, and answering any questions incoming parents may have.
Owl Days Volunteers
Rice Parents and Alumni have the opportunity to support Owl Days, the Office of Admissions accepted student visit days hosted in April. These visits are intended to help accepted students and their families make their final decision for college. Volunteers support this initiative by serving as greeters at informational sessions, sharing their experience over a meal with incoming families, and serving on informational panels.
Center for Career Development, Owl Edge Externship Mentor
Owl Edge Externships are an essential experience for all students at Rice, made possible by alumni volunteers and friends of the university. These externship opportunities connect classroom learning to real-world problems and prepare students for their future careers. They also expand interactions between students and professionals, offering early career insights and mentorship.
Gateway OwlConnect Panels
Each month, Gateway hosts OwlConnect panels that touch on a variety of career fields in order to provide current students with experienced perspectives on career paths, job progression, and other tips on how to market their degree in social sciences to a particular industry. Panelists get to connect with Rice students eager to learn from real career journeys, and your story could help a student see a path they hadn’t considered. We’d love to have you share your experience with students!
Gateway Practica Mentor
Gateway Practica put Rice social sciences students in real-world learning: a semester with a Houston host organization plus a class taught by a field lecturer. Options: Finance & Banking, Consulting, Community Health, and Public Service. We always need more hosts! Want a student intern? Host one (10+ hrs/week), sponsor a consulting project, or mentor a team. Reach out to us and put Rice talent to work!
Association of Rice Alumni Board of Directors
The Association of Rice Alumni (ARA) is governed by a 28-member board that advises Alumni Relations staff on operations and programs, representing alumni to the university and the ARA to its alumni constituents. All Rice alumni are eligible to apply. Members serve three-year terms and commit to attending three in-person board meetings annually, serving on working group committees, contributing to the Rice Fund, and supporting ARA programs and activities throughout the year.
Annual Giving
Rice Fund Volunteers are ambassadors for the university, making important connections and encouraging classmates and peers to participate in the university’s tradition of giving back.
Volunteer positions within the Rice Fund provide several great ways to stay in touch with your classmates and peers while making a positive impact on the current student experience at Rice.
Alumni Regional Group Opportunity
Volunteers in this role work alongside fellow Owls in their regional network to foster a strong sense of community that extends beyond their time at Rice. They help plan and support a variety of events, ranging from philanthropic service opportunities to festive holiday parties, creating meaningful opportunities for alumni to connect, build relationships, give back, and stay engaged with Rice in their region.
