Just weeks prior to Rice University’s academic year beginning, several dozen incoming Owls traveled to Houston to immerse themselves in the city and the social justice issues local advocates are striving to address through the Ross Rankin Moody Civic Immersion program, one of the flagships of the university’s Center for Civic Leadership (CCL).
Civic Immersion is a service-learning opportunity for incoming students to engage in the greater Houston community while forming close bonds with their fellow Owls before they officially start their academic journeys at Rice. All incoming students were invited to apply to the program, and no previous experience with civic engagement was required.
“Through the program, new Rice students begin their journeys to become leaders for public purpose by discovering their new city and forming a community with fellow students who are passionate about making social impact during and after their time at Rice,” said Rachel Bonini, associate director for the CCL. “As a student-led program, Moody Civic Immersion also offers the opportunity for current Rice students to develop key leadership skills, including assessment, peer mobilization, communication and community partner development.”
During Civic Immersion 2024, students engaged with a multitude of community partners — local charities, nonprofits and advocacy organizations including BakerRipley, Bay Area Turning Point, Bilingual Education Institute, Community Tech Network, Houston Food Bank, LINK Houston, Legacy Community Health, Lilith Fund, NAMI Greater Houston, PAIR Houston, Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services, Tony’s Place and San Jose Clinic.
With Hurricane Beryl leaving much of the city without power in July, the traditionally three-week program was reduced to one online week and one in-person week. However, that did not stop the Owl spirit from shining through.
The experiences, along with the relationships formed, have set this incoming parliament of students on the path to their future.
“I can’t even describe how amazing it was,” said Richard Bosch of Colorado. “Most important is this sense of family, because here we are as students going into college. We’re in the same boat. We’re all nervous, but being here for only four days, we managed to be so connected with one another. I absolutely love this sense of community with each other. I cannot wait to grow these relationships with my peers at school in the fall.”
Angel De La Fuente of Dallas said he felt like the service aspect of the week struck to the heart of his interests and will help him to grow.
“I do have a passion for serving my community,” he said. “That’s what I did before coming to Rice, and I wanted to learn more about my new Houston family and new Houston community and what I’d be walking into here both as a new student here at Rice but also as a new leader.
“I came in thinking I’d be nervous around these students, but I feel like I already met my family here.”
Ethan Lopez Touchy of El Paso mirrored that sentiment and said he feels like the experience will guide him in the future.
“Being able to immerse myself into not just this specific community but into the world of volunteering and advocating has given me an insight that I never had before,” he said. “Before, I was struggling to wonder what I could do with my major; however, now I have a really good idea. It sort of lit a fire inside of me on what I want to do in future years — not just in college but past that.”
For more information about the CCL, visit ccl.rice.edu.