Leah Li, an international student pursuing a career in computer science, spent years looking for a program that would allow her to experience the world while also obtaining a high-level education to set her up for success.
She found this and more in Rice University’s Online Master of Computer Science program.
“It’s the perfect environment for me,” said Li, who was born in China and is now based in Sacramento, California. She began Rice’s Online MCS program in 2022 and became a graduate teaching assistant the following year. She also serves as a student ambassador for the program.
For Li, an avid traveler, MCS Online provides her the flexibility to enjoy the opportunities life presents, while also maximizing her growth as a student through a personalized learning environment.
“Traveling while taking online classes can be an incredible experience,” said Li, a former trilingual teacher who is fluent in four languages — Chinese, English, French and Spanish — and proficient in Korean and Japanese. “You get to explore new places, new cultures and new perspectives while continuing your education. You also get the chance to build your independence and time-management skills.”
Opportunities to travel the world are also available across other areas of the university, including through Rice Global Paris. Li served as an RA at the Rice Global Paris Center last year, helping undergraduate students enjoy their immersive summer intensives.
“Even though I’m not on campus, I’ve never felt that my sense of community is less than anyone’s,” she said. “I always feel it’s important to give back to our Rice community, and I’m very proud to be a Rice student.”
This feeling of inclusion is something faculty and staff make a concerted effort to address, providing the Rice experience to all students whether online or on campus.
“We’re very intentional about thinking about how we make sure that these online students do get to know the faculty, have an experience with the faculty and have a positive experience with Rice,” said Scott Rixner, director of professional studies in the Department of Computer Science. “We want them to go away thinking, ‘I lost nothing because this was an online program. I got the Rice experience.’”
With a combination of asynchronous and live learning sessions, the program allows students to learn at the pace that best suits their lifestyle.
“The whole point of the program is to bring Rice graduate education to people who otherwise would not be able to attend Rice,” Rixner said. “The flexibility is really about allowing us to bring this Rice graduate education to you. You can attend class from anywhere, be a part of the Rice community from anywhere and take advantage of the classes and education that we offer.”
Li said the flexibility and one-on-one interaction between students and professors has made all the difference in her learning.
“When I took classes (in other programs), I had very few chances to talk to professors because there were sometimes more than 100 people in a huge classroom,” she said. “But here at Rice, it’s more of a personalized learning style, so we really get the chance to talk to professors on a weekly basis, see (teaching assistants) and ask questions. That definitely helps a lot.”
Li is on track to graduate with her master’s in computer science this summer. She has already begun an internship as a front-end web developer with a startup company that specializes in using artificial intelligence and machine learning to gather data. The company, American Data Science, was founded by Miguel A. Lopez-Medina, a former classmate of Li’s who is a Rice MCS Online graduate.
“I recently got my first SDE (software development) internship thanks to our online computer science program,” Li said. “Not only did they provide me with the technical skills and knowledge I need, but it also gave me incredible connections.”
“You are able to connect with very smart people at Rice, and that’s the most important thing,” Lopez-Medina said. “And the program has exactly the key knowledge that we need for the industry. (Li) has brought a lot of value into our company already, not just for her software development but for her vision.”
As Li finishes up her final year at Rice, she said she looks back on her experience with gratitude for the opportunities the university has presented her.
“Rice is such a great platform that connects so many talents together,” Li said. “But the most important thing is you have to step out of your comfort zone to get to know those people and also let them know you. Rice has offered me so much, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”
The Online MCS program recently earned a top 10 spot in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings. Ranked No. 1 in Texas and among the top programs nationwide, the online MCS was ranked No. 27 just two years ago in the Online Master’s in Information Technology category.
To learn more about Online MCS and other Online Master’s programs at Rice click here.