Issue No. 46 — Winter 2024
Newsletter Home

A Message From Dean Gorman

Dear Rice Parents and Families,

It was such a joy to see and meet many of you at Families Weekend in September. I love to hear what excites your students about life at Rice and what makes their university experience meaningful. There are many opportunities for students beyond the classroom, including a variety of extracurricular activities that can be key to building a sense of belonging, exploring new interests and engaging in campus life.

Rice’s Student Activities Department facilitates organizations that help students to develop as leaders and find community through common interests. Joining organizations like the Rice Alliance for Mental Health Awareness, Rice Sustainability Coalition or the Caregiving Program can help Owls make a positive impact on campus. There are more than 350 registered student organizations spanning 12 genres, including social, cultural and recreational sports clubs. The Center for Career Development (CCD) is also a valuable campus resource that serves undergraduate and graduate students in their career development and job search efforts. The office supports students through career counseling sessions that are tailor fit to their needs, whether they need help identifying career options and exploring internship and job opportunities, need someone to review their resume and cover letters, or want to practice their interview skills.

If your student is unsure about how to get involved at Rice, point them toward OwlNest, an online student engagement platform operated by the Student Center that lets students browse organizations and search events. The site houses information on nearly 500 active organizations and 1,000 events, giving students the ability to message participating groups and request membership. This is an excellent resource for students searching for their ideal extracurricular or on-campus community.

Owls After Dark is another way for students to connect with each other and clubs around campus. Organizations partner with the Student Center to create a free, late-night programming series of engaging activities. In the 2023-2024 school year, seven Owls After Dark events occurred, including a “Smash” tournament with the Super Smash Bros. Club and Loteria Night with the Hispanic Association for Cultural Enrichment at Rice. More than 1,500 attendees participated in the events.

Encourage your student to get involved! It's wonderful to see our Owls support their community, step up as leaders and take on new challenges through these organizations.

Good luck to your student on their upcoming exams, and I hope your family enjoys a peaceful holiday season.

Sending my best wishes,

Bridget Gorman, Dean of Undergraduates