Rice University’s Office of Student Success Initiatives hosted a prematriculation program for incoming Rice freshman and their families Aug. 14-16 as a leadup to O-Week. Named Owl Access, the initiative is led and supported by current students to welcome freshmen who move in early to Rice, providing a comfortable adjustment period and easing them into college life.
“Owl Access, our preorientation program, is a warm welcome for first-generation and limited-income new students at Rice and their families,” said Araceli Lopez, executive director of the Office of Student Success Initiatives. “It’s here to provide support, resources and friendly connections that they’ll appreciate as they settle into their residential college and navigate university life. Focused on building confidence and a sense of belonging, this program helps them gain practical skills that empower them to enjoy their academic journey fully and turn challenges into exciting opportunities for success.”
With programming designed specifically for this student population and their families, the goal is to provide them with a personalized introduction to Rice and connect them with resources that are critical to their success. The three days included peer mentorship, workshops and panels, resource awareness and campus and Houston exploration.
Students can learn more about Rice’s first-generation or limited-income programs and resources by visiting success.rice.edu or emailing success@rice.edu.
Students are also encouraged to document their O-Week experience online by including #RiceOWeek2025 on their social media posts.
To learn more about O-Week and see the full schedule, click here. Be sure to check out the photos from O-Week by clicking this link. Students might find themselves, new friends or special moments captured of their colleges.
