Rice University has elected five new members to its board of trustees. Dr. Barbara Jenkins Gibbs ‘73, John V. Jaggers ‘73, Robert “Rob” Kaplan, Akilah Mance ‘05 and Sunit Patel ‘85 will begin their terms July 1.
“On behalf of the Rice community and the board of trustees, I am pleased to welcome our newest trustees,” said Robert T. Ladd ‘78, chairman of the board of trustees. “All have distinguished themselves in their careers and in service to their communities. We have much to accomplish in the years ahead at Rice, and their wisdom and leadership will help shape the university’s path forward.”
President Reginald DesRoches echoed Ladd’s sentiment, emphasizing the impact the new trustees will have on Rice’s continued growth and success.
“Rice is fortunate to welcome this accomplished and dedicated group of leaders to the board of trustees,” DesRoches said. “Each brings a deep commitment to the university and a wealth of experience that will help guide Rice as we build on our extraordinary legacy and momentum to shape the future.”
Dr. Barbara Jenkins Gibbs ’73
Gibbs is an accomplished radiologist who retired following more than two decades of service to the Houston community. She has remained actively involved in the Rice community through service on the Friends of Fondren Library and Moody Center for the Arts advisory boards, as well as reunion and class giving committees.
She and her husband, David Gibbs ’70, ’71, received the 2018 Meritorious Service Award from the Association of Rice Alumni in recognition of their transformative impact on the university. Beyond Rice, she serves on the Houston Botanic Garden board, the UTHealth Houston Development Board and the UTMB Development Board. Gibbs earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Rice and a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston.
John V. Jaggers ’73
Jaggers, managing general partner at Sevin Rosen Funds, brings extensive experience in venture capital and technology investment. He previously served as a trustee from 2011-15, including as chair of the information technology and digital learning committees, and has since remained active as an emeritus trustee. In addition to his previous board service at Rice, he has held numerous volunteer and advisory roles across the university, including with the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing, the Rice Alliance and the Association of Rice Alumni.
In recognition of his many contributions to the university, he received the Association of Rice Alumni’s Meritorious Service Award in 2019 and the School of Engineering and Computing’s Distinguished Service Medal in 2024. Outside of Rice, he has served as a member and chair of several corporate, nonprofit and higher education boards. Jaggers earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Rice and an MBA from Harvard University. He and his wife, Rusty Jaggers ’73, are the parents of a Rice alum, Lindsay Jaggers ’08.
Rob Kaplan
Kaplan is vice chairman of Goldman Sachs and previously served as president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Prior to joining the Fed, Rob was the Martin Marshall Professor of Management Practice and senior associate dean at Harvard Business School, and he held senior leadership roles at Goldman Sachs.
Kaplan is actively involved with Rice as a member of the Baker Institute Advisory Board and the Rice Management Company Board of Directors, and his civic and nonprofit work includes service with several national organizations and educational institutions. Kaplan earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas and an MBA from Harvard.
Akilah Mance ’05
Mance is general counsel and director of government affairs for the Houston Forensic Science Center. She is a career-long public servant and has held leadership roles in several professional and civic organizations, most recently being appointed to the Harris County Resources for Children and Adults Board.
She has remained actively engaged with Rice through alumni leadership, advisory boards and university initiatives, including the School of Social Sciences, Center for Civic Leadership and Association of Rice University Black Alumni. She received the Association of Rice Alumni’s Builders Award in 2016. Mance earned bachelor’s degrees in English and political science from Rice and a law degree from the University of Georgia. Her brother, Omar-Seli Mance ’03, is also a Rice alum.
Sunit Patel ’85
Patel is chief financial officer of Crown Castle International Corp., a leading wireless infrastructure company. Over the course of his career, he has held executive roles across telecommunications and technology sectors, including at T-Mobile, CenturyLink and Level 3 Communications.
He has been a longtime university volunteer and advisory board member, including serving as chair of the School of Engineering and Computing Advisory Board, and was named a Rice Distinguished Alumnus in 2022. Patel earned bachelor’s degrees in chemical engineering and economics from Rice. He and his wife, Tina Patel, are the parents of Rice alum Risha Patel ’16.
The board of trustees represents all Rice stakeholders and is the university’s highest governing authority.