VISIT

Meet Our Owl Guides

Rice is full of amazing students who come from a diverse set of backgrounds and interests, and we are so excited for you to meet some of them! Our Owl Guides are passionate about sharing their Rice experience and eager to show you a glimpse of what it’s like to be a Rice Owl.

Eli '28

Waco, Texas

Residential College: Wiess

What is your favorite Rice experience?
My favorite Rice experiences are definitely O-Week and Beer Bike. I am a huge extrovert, so I love the energy and passion that these traditions bring to campus. O-Week was an incredible introduction to Rice. It was filled with acceptance, fun, and support, while also helping new students adjust academically. It was during O-Week that I met many of the friends who have become some of my closest at Rice. Beer Bike is another highlight of the year. The day starts early and the excitement lasts all day long. I am a chugger for the Wiess men’s team, and the adrenaline and college spirit make the experience unforgettable. Between the races, the water balloon fights, and the color war, the entire campus comes together in such a beautiful way. Moments like these capture the spirit of Rice. They bring people together, build lasting friendships, and create memories that make the university experience truly special.

Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL, RELIGION
Elizabeth '29

Chicago, Illinois

Residential College: McMurtry

What is your favorite Rice experience?
"One of the best memories that captures the Rice experience was Halloween weekend. After going out with my friends, we huddled together around a pot of ramen and practiced our mock trial speeches at 2 in the morning. Then, after only two hours of sleep, I changed into my suit and headed to the UH competition. While it was certainly exhausting, it was also one of the happiest days of my life, showcasing how the work-hard-play-hard balance thrives at Rice. And fueled by caffeine, adrenaline, and pure joy, I spent that day feeling incredibly thankful for the people around me and the opportunity to do something I loved.
"

Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, RESEARCH, SOCIAL JUSTICE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Ella '28

Anchorage, Alaska

Residential College: Will Rice

How have you experienced Rice's Culture of Care?
I think I have experienced Rice’s Culture of Care with how everyone is willing to go out of their way to help people. This is especially true in classes, but it extends beyond that as well. People are willing to help you when you are lost or to share an umbrella with you when it is raining, so you can make it back to your dorm or to your next class.

Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, MUSIC
Ella '29

Center Valley, Pennsylvania

Residential College: Wiess

Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice because I love that we combine amazing academics with an incredibly vibrant, engaged community. I loved how residential college system builds such strong relationships and college spirit right from your first day of O-Week. Rice students are so passionate, engaged, and caring, and that was really clear when I visited for Owl Days. I felt so welcomed, and it was clear how much effort was put into making us feel at home!

Interests: ARTS, CULTURE, MUSIC, RESEARCH
Ethan '29

Friendswood, Texas

Residential College: Duncan

How have you experienced Rice's Culture of Care?
During weekly O-week family meals, everyone would share about their weeks and give both highlights and lowlights of the week. These conversations provided a weekly time to be able to connect with my O-week family or even just be in a non-judgemental space to go on a rant. To me, these O-week lunches help to show just how tight-knit and supportive the community at Rice is.

Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, MUSIC, RESEARCH
Fiona '28

Merrick, New York

Residential College: Baker

What is your favorite Rice experience?
Getting to visit random academic buildings to find good study spots!

Interests: CULTURE, MUSIC, RESEARCH
Gregor '28

York, United Kingdom

Residential College: Duncan

Why did you choose Rice?
The freedom of choice that I get in my studies here is unlike anything else. I can choose every class I want to take, and explore things that I am interested in, even if it is outside of my major.

Interests: STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Helena '28

Bethesda, Maryland

Residential College: Brown

How have you experienced Rice's Culture of Care?
I was immediately welcomed with open arms onto the Brown Bike Team after never having participated in sports in school. I'm now the captain of the team and do the same for others!

Interests: ATHLETICS, CULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL, RELIGION
Isabella '29

Dallas, Texas

Residential College: Jones

Why did you choose Rice?
Rice not only has the opportunity to test your academic rigor while having access to an expansive range of resources, but perhaps the most striking thing I discovered when researching universities was Rice's emphasis on connection. Through the residential college system, orientation week, and overall rich culture that the campus fosters, I have truly made family here!

Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, RESEARCH
Izzy '29

New York City, New York

Residential College: Chao

Why did you choose Rice?
I was recruited to Rice as a cross country and track and field athlete. Not only did I love the warm weather of Houston, the idea of competing for a D1 athletic team, and the academic prestige of the university, but what truly hit me during my campus visit was Rice’s sense of community. I believe the Rice student body is truly unique and quirky, no two students are the same. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and has niche, fun interests, but we do share two things: a passion and love for learning, and a willingness and desire to help our peers. From Day 1 at Rice I was never afraid to be myself because I knew I would be accepted. Rice welcomes all their students, and they provide them the opportunities and resources they need to reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

Interests: ATHLETICS, CULTURE, SOCIAL JUSTICE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Jaden '28

Beach City, Texas

Residential College: Wiess

What is your favorite Rice experience?
The residential college system is my favorite part about Rice. Whether being able to have a community that you can come to after a long day of classes and hangout in commons, or meet alumni during associates dinner and talk about life goals, the residential college system provides an immediate environment where students can feel empowered and connected after my time at Rice.

Interests: ATHLETICS, CULTURE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Jake '29

Los Angeles, California

Residential College: Chao

How have you experienced Rice's Culture of Care?
In one of my classes that was mostly sophomores, a group of students invited me to join their study group even though I was the only freshman, which immediately made the class feel collaborative rather than competitive. I experienced that same support even more strongly when I tore my MCL. During that time, my friends and classmates were insistent on helping take care of me. People checked in on me every day, brought me food, and made sure I could get to classes and around campus while I was recovering. The culture of care at Rice is not just something people talk about, but something students live out by looking after each other.

Interests: ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, RELIGION, RESEARCH
Jake R '28

Harrison, New York

Residential College: Duncan

What is your favorite Rice experience?
My favorite Rice experience is undoubtedly Beer Bike! The entire week leading up to it is full of the quirky whimsy that makes Rice special: Residential College traditions, constant clever jacks, and tons of other festivities. It's the time of year when College culture is at it's peak --- people walk around in their College's merch, with some even dyeing their hair in their College's colors. At Duncan, Beer Bike week brings out my favorite Duncan traditions, such as Donnybrook (our Nerf gun war!), Thirsty Thursday (free milkshakes!) on our gorgeous sundeck, plenty of hilarious jacks on other colleges, and more. On the day of Beer Bike, the water balloon fight is just as massive as it sounds, the color war is a super wholesome gathering of Rice students, and the Bike Races are thrilling to watch!

Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL, MUSIC
Jessie '28

Dalian, China

Residential College: Duncan

Why did you choose Rice?
1. The tight community 2. Exceptional research opportunities 3. The wide variety of classes and the distribution system that allows everyone to attempt things outside of their major

Interests: ARTS, RESEARCH
Jihra '27

Dallas, Texas

Residential College: Wiess

What is your favorite question to be asked on tour and why?
I love being asked about how I feel supported as a student here at Rice. It seems so silly when I think the anxiety I felt to make this transition into college life and wondering how to succeed at such a prestigious institution. Since matriculation i've had access to some incredible resources and initiatives that not only made me feel valued and welcome but equipped for success. Similarly our culture of care here has made me feel comfortable in embracing my identity and empowered to thrive.

Interests: ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, RESEARCH
Kacey '27

Houston, Texas

Residential College: Hanszen

How have you experienced Rice's Culture of Care?
If I ever struggle in any of my classes, I always have friends and peers reach out to ask how they can help. I have had friends spend hours helping me with homework and acquaintances from my classes send me study guides they made. Rice is very collaborative, and no one hesitates to reach out to help you if you struggle.

Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, RESEARCH
Karlianna '28

Katy, Texas

Residential College: Duncan

Why did you choose Rice?
I like the climate, it’s close to home, and I can study all of my interests like Art, Science, Psychology, and Spanish, all at once! I also love the community and fun events!

Interests: ARTS, ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE
Leah '29

Hinsdale, Illinois

Residential College: Sid Richardson

Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice for the plethora of academic opportunities as well as the supportive and welcoming community. As a history major, I have found that Rice has an extremely strong humanities program with many programs and opportunities for students to take advantage of. The teaching is excellent, and professors are there to help students out. In addition, the community of students is so kind and caring; people smile at you even if you don’t know them at all. I knew that I would have an amazing academic and social experience by choosing Rice.

Interests: ARTS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, RESEARCH
Lexi '28

Sugar Land, Texas

Residential College: Baker

What is your favorite Rice experience?
I loved getting to participate in the Rice in Spain program and study abroad in Pamplona for a summer. I made really great friends and still spend a lot of time with my classmates from the program while I am on campus, and I am also really close with my host family and loved getting to experience living in another country.

Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, RESEARCH, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Leyana '29

Liberty Hill, Texas

Residential College: McMurtry

How have you experienced Rice's Culture of Care?
I experienced Rice's Culture of Care through the daily interactions I have with students. Everyone is eager to help each other out, even if they don't know you that well. I was once bringing back 4 large Amazon packages to my dorm and was having trouble opening the door to Murt, and 2 other students came and helped me out without hesitation! They even helped me carry some of the packages all the way to my dorm without me asking, and I thought it was such a sweet and genuine gesture.

Interests: ARTS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, MUSIC, RESEARCH
Lina '29

Austin, Texas

Residential College: Baker

How have you experienced Rice's Culture of Care?
When I got really sick and needed to go to the ER, people immediately stepped in to help, someone drove me, checked in on me, and my O-Week parents literally carried me up five flights of stairs afterward to get me back to my room and into bed. It was one of those moments where you realize people here genuinely care about you as a person, not just a student.

Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, RESEARCH, STUDENT LEADERSHIP