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.

Ayden '27

Newark, Texas

Residential College: Jones

What is your favorite Rice experience?
My favorite rice experience is the culture we have at Jones college. Almost every weekend we have poker nights in the lobbies where we stay up late at night, talk, eat food, and play some poker. This is truly the best way to make friends and have fun with them.

Interests: ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL
Azari '26

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Residential College: Martel

What is your favorite question to be asked on tour and why?
One of the questions I absolutely adore being asked revolves around the Residential College systems because, honestly, it's one of the most unique and coolest things about being a Rice student. It's like a treasure trove of diverse perspectives and experiences that you won't stumble upon anywhere else. And, of course, it gives me the perfect excuse to proudly proclaim that Martel is hands down the crème de la crème of colleges... like, seriously, the best one EVER! (Okay, maybe I'm a bit biased, but who can resist that Martel rizz?)

Interests: ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, RESEARCH, SOCIAL JUSTICE
Beck '26

Chicago, Illinois

Residential College: Duncan

What is your favorite question to be asked on tour and why?
When people ask "How well do they match roommates up?" I tell them about the extensive roommate matching process leading up to move-in day and how me and my roommate were a perfect match — and he introduced me to the art of ice cream making.

Interests: ARTS, ENVIRONMENTAL, MUSIC, RESEARCH
Bela '26

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Residential College: Duncan

Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice because I could tell that there was an incredible family dynamic throughout the campus! Rice truly cultivates a strong and diverse community, especially through the residential college system, which was a huge draw for me. The campus culture in general is very supportive and uplifting, which was something that really stood out to me. I loved how each college has its own unique culture and traditions and allows you to connect with other students from different backgrounds, interests, and experiences.

Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, SOCIAL JUSTICE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Bess '27

Stillwater, Oklahoma

Residential College: Lovett

What is your favorite Rice experience?
One of my favorite Rice experiences was celebrating my birthday during O-Week. From the moment I sat down for breakfast, I was greeted with countless happy birthday wishes from students and advisors I had only talked to once or twice. They knew my name and face after I had only been on campus for a few days! My O-Week family later surprised me with a gift (a jar of peanut butter - my favorite food), cupcakes, and a card with heartfelt messages from each family member. In typical O-Week fashion, the rest of my day was filled with more water guns, shaving cream, and unicorns than I ever would have expected, and I would not have wanted it any other way! It was the perfect introduction to Rice’s culture.

Interests: ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, RELIGION
Bri '27

Saddle River, New Jersey

Residential College: McMurtry

Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice because of the flexible curriculum, small class sizes, and endless opportunities. The distribution system allows me to only take courses I find really interesting and genuinely enjoy. There are so many interesting classes available it truly caters to everyone’s interest. On the social side, the residential college system allows you to enter a family on your first day of college. You do almost everything with your residential college and find your peers quickly becoming your best friends.

Interests: ATHLETICS, ENVIRONMENTAL, RESEARCH
Brian '27

Maywood, New Jersey

Residential College: McMurtry

What is your favorite question to be asked on tour and why?
My favorite question to be asked is "What is your favorite thing about your residential college" because I could talk about McMurtry forever. It's amazing how easy it is to identify with your residential college simply because you were placed into it and the sense community that results from that. I love feeling like I have a home base on campus that is bigger than my dorm room.

Interests: ATHLETICS, ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL JUSTICE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Bryant '25

Boca Raton, Florida

Residential College: Sid Richardson

What is your favorite Rice experience?
My favorite Rice experience happened when I walked out towards the quad at Sid and I see a bunch of people just playing volleyball in the middle of the night. What became a quick game of football introduced me to some of my closest friends at Rice. Since that night, we continued talking and playing volleyball together every night, and eventually started our own intramural volleyball sports team called Camp Rock. It is wild to me that just one random night of playing with random strangers resulted in meeting some of my best friends and people that I consider family today.

Interests: ARTS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, RESEARCH, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Caitlin '26

Arlington, Texas

Residential College: Wiess

Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice because I loved the small size, the campus is beautiful, the residential college system is so fun and inclusive, and people here seemed happy and friendly (and are!). I enjoy being connected and busy and love getting hype, so cheering for Team Family Wiess and always having a fun event to attend makes college life that much more interesting.

Interests: ATHLETICS, RELIGION, SOCIAL JUSTICE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Caitlynn '27

Perryton, Texas

Residential College: McMurtry

Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice because stepping foot on campus made me feel a sense of belonging that I had never felt before. Knowing that I would be entering a school with incredible resources and an overwhelming sense of community allowed me a sense of peace as I moved 10 hours from my family. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Interests: CULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL, MUSIC, RESEARCH
Carmine '27

Dededo, Guam

Residential College: McMurtry

What is your favorite Rice experience?
There’s so many to choose from, but I would have to say my residential college’s tradition of McScottish Week. Throughout the week the entire college comes together to celebrate McMurtry’s Scottish heritage with a variety of activities from kilt making, archery games, steinholding and, my favorite tradition, Scottish dancing. I remember the brief glimpse I received during my O-Week, but the thrill of dancing with my friends was something that I will fondly look back on. While it was a bit tricky learning the dance moves, my entire group was filled with giggles and smiles so I didn’t worry too much about messing up a step or two. After a week full of classes, this was an amazing way to destress and reconnect with my friends, whilst also learning more about my residential college!

Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, SOCIAL JUSTICE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Cassidy '25

Hacienda Heights, California

Residential College: Martel

What is your favorite question to be asked on tour and why?
I love being asked about my experience at my residential college. I am pretty involved and invested in my residential college. I am not passionate about the friendly rivalry, and am open to talking about how other college life is.

Interests: ARTS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, ENVIRONMENTAL, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Chidalu '27

Boston, Massachusetts

Residential College: Martel

Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice University for its great community and strong support for students. The diverse affinity groups and Student Success Initiative help me feel supported and motivated to step out of my comfort zone.

Interests: CULTURE, RELIGION, SOCIAL JUSTICE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Chloé K '26

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Residential College: Duncan

Why did you choose Rice?
I knew I wanted to go to RICE my Freshman year of high school. I’m not quite sure what exactly caused me to feel this school would be my home for the next four years, but my older family friend was touring colleges at the time and mentioned RICE to me at dinner. After he told me about the school, I just felt that was where I was supposed to be.

Interests: ARTS, CULTURE, MUSIC
Chloe P '26

Tucson, Arizona

Residential College: Martel

What is your favorite Rice experience?
Walking through the sallyport for matriculation sticks out as a formative part of my Rice experience. I am a big fan of our campus so not only being physically and metaphorically welcomed in through the sallyport, but being surrounded by your college and people who will shape your next 4 years was super meaningful for me.

Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, MUSIC, RELIGION
Claire '26

Dallas, Texas

Residential College: Martel

What is your favorite question to be asked on tour and why?
Is it easy to get involved in research as a freshman? I love getting asked this question because as someone who was able to land an undergraduate research position during my 2nd week of school, it really allows me to highlight how much the professors care as well as how important research is at Rice. I think that this is one of the unique aspects of Rice. No matter your age or major, undergraduate research is an option for everyone.

Interests: ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, RESEARCH, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Connor '25

Nashville, Tennessee

Residential College: Hanszen

What is your favorite Rice experience?
Beer Bike! It creates an incomparable atmosphere on campus that both strengthens residential college pride as well as inter college friendships. Having been involved in the race for two years, it is something I know I will always be part of at my time at Rice.

Interests: ARTS, ATHLETICS, ENVIRONMENTAL, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Daan '25

Houston, Texas

Residential College: Martel

What is your favorite Rice experience?
My favorite Rice experience would have to be my friendsgiving dinner. Me and my friends got to use Martel’s amazing kitchen to prepare a huge dinner. We messed around with the TVs and cameras that the kitchen is equipped with and it really felt like we were in a TV cooking show. I also think that cooking things together brought me and my friends closer together and that evening I got to enjoy a huge dinner with a lot of amazing people that I was able to meet in my first semester.

Interests: ENVIRONMENTAL
Delaney '25

Los Angeles, California

Residential College: Jones

Why did you choose Rice?
While I deeply valued that Rice is strong in my academic areas of interest, I really chose Rice for the caring, collaborative student culture. The residential college system creates a home that everyone fits into. The students here are the kindest, most passionate, motivated people I have ever met.

Interests: ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, SOCIAL JUSTICE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Emma '26

Boston, Massachusetts

Residential College: Sid Richardson

What is your favorite question to be asked on tour and why?
I love talking about residential college committees because they often get overlooked but are a great way to finance and organize whatever you want to do with your friends at your college. Shoutout Hanszen cheese committee and Lovett sushi committee.

Interests: ATHLETICS, ENVIRONMENTAL, RESEARCH, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Evan '26

Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Residential College: Wiess

What is your favorite question to be asked on tour and why?
I really like being asked about fun classes I've had! I love to bring up some of the interesting courses I have taken, like a medieval music class or a class about extreme weather. Additionally, I like to bring up fun experiences I've had within classes for my major, like when we dipped Cheetos in liquid nitrogen during my freshman physics class!

Interests: ARTS, ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, ENVIRONMENTAL