Rice faculty earn national recognition for research improving life at work
Two Rice faculty members have been recognized with national awards highlighting the university’s impact on research that shapes understanding of work, well-being and organizational life.
Shepherd School professor’s performance featured in Oscar-nominated original song
Ana María Martínez, a professor of voice and a Grammy Award-winning operatic soprano, has lent her voice to “Sweet Dreams of Joy” from “Viva Verdi!”
The Rice Center for Education, part of the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, has announced a new partnership with Teach For America Houston to provide early childhood-third grade (EC-3) teacher certification to members of TFA Houston’s teaching corps beginning in fall 2026.
Rice remembers Larry McIntire, founder of bioengineering at Rice and ‘guiding force’ in the field
Rice remembers Larry McIntire, founder of bioengineering at Rice and ‘guiding force’ in biomedical engineering.
Rice to commemorate 100 years of Black History Month with series of events
Rice will celebrate Black History Month starting Feb. 1 and lasting into March, observing the month’s 100-year anniversary with a series of discussions, fellowship opportunities and special festivities highlighting the richness of Black culture.
Rice and Houston Methodist award seed grants for Center for Human Performance
Rice and Houston Methodist have selected interdisciplinary research teams for the inaugural Houston Methodist-Rice Center for Human Performance seed grant program. The awards, supported by Rice's ENRICH office, reflect the university’s growing leadership in health-focused research and its deepening partnership with Houston Methodist.
From campus to community: Rice brings lifelong learning to retirement community residents
Rice's Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies is expanding access to higher education through Lifelong University, a custom-designed program that brings engaging and stimulating learning opportunities directly to retirement community residents.
Weaver to depart Rice, leaves lasting legacy at Moody Center for the Arts
“Alison profoundly and visibly shaped the arts at Rice since she took the helm of the Moody in July 2015,” Rice President Reginald DesRoches said.
A new paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences argues that trustworthiness of climate-risk scores depends not just on the sophistication of the models used to produce the scores but also on whether the science behind them is open, reusable and transparent enough for others to examine, test and improve.
Rice’s online graduate programs earned significant gains in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings, with strong upward movement across engineering, computing and business disciplines. The 2026 rankings underscore Rice’s growing national profile for delivering rigorous, high-impact graduate education in a flexible online format.
Books that shaped a universe: Reiff reflects on science, curiosity and imagination
For more than five decades, Patricia Reiff has explored the forces that shape Earth’s place in space. But when the Rice professor of physics and astronomy took the stage Jan. 15 for Friends of Fondren Library’s Books That Shaped My World series, her focus shifted from spacecraft and data to the books and people that have influenced how she thinks, teaches and lives.
OpenStax, Kendall Hunt K-12 partner on high school social studies
OpenStax, Rice’s initiative to make education more affordable and accessible to all learners, announced an expansion of its existing partnership with Kendall Hunt Publishing Co. Building on Kendall Hunt’s role as OpenStax’s official print partner, this collaboration expands the relationship to include the Kendall Hunt K-12 division as a curriculum partner, adapting OpenStax’s openly licensed social studies textbooks for enhanced impact in high school classrooms.
Shepherd School presents orchestral programs exploring collaboration, contrast
Collaboration and contrast shape two orchestral performances at Rice's Shepherd School of Music Feb. 6-7.
Rice lauds Medina’s 35 years of bridging communities, enriching relationships
Rice is recognizing David Medina for 35 years of service. As the director of multicultural community relations in the Office of Public Affairs, Medina conducts and participates in more than 100 activities annually, which reach more than 10,000 people. These activities include college information sessions, school visits, community dialogue luncheons, lectures, film festivals, media relations, college essay-writing workshops, galas, receptions and community events. Additionally, he oversees a quarterly newsletter that raises awareness of the university’s outreach efforts. His last day with the university will be March 31.
Calling all staff: Nominations open for the Rice Staff Excellence Award
In recognition of the outstanding contributions of Rice staff members, the Rice Staff Council is calling for nominations for the 2026 Rice Staff Excellence Award.
