Rice University and San Jacinto College formally renewed and expanded the Take Flight Scholars program partnership, celebrating a collaboration designed to increase educational access and create stronger transfer pathways for community college students.
The event marked the signing of an updated memorandum of understanding and an expanded articulation agreement that allows Take Flight students to transfer more coursework seamlessly to Rice.
Andy Osborn, program manager of educational initiatives in Rice’s Office of Strategic and Educational Initiatives, said the partnership reflects years of collaboration between the two institutions and a shared commitment to student success.
“We have achieved more together over the last several years than we could have alone. Together we have remained committed to educational excellence and worked to expand access to educational opportunity for students across the greater Houston area, especially those from underresourced or underrepresented backgrounds,” Osborn said.
Over the past four years, more than 200 San Jacinto College students have participated in Take Flight programming, including research experiences, campus events and summer enrichment opportunities. Originally focused on STEM fields, the program has expanded to include humanities, social sciences and business disciplines.
“This year, we are continuing to work to expand offerings for students in STEM, while also developing opportunities in the humanities and social sciences such as new short summer programs in each of those disciplines,” Osborn said.
The updated articulation agreement now includes more than 50 course listings, giving transfer students greater flexibility in bringing credits to Rice upon acceptance as a transfer student.
San Jacinto College provost and incoming deputy chancellor Alexander Okwonna said the partnership represents opportunity for students who may not have traditionally seen admission to elite universities as attainable.
“The signing represents more than just an agreement between two premier institutions,” Okwonna said. “It represents opportunity. It represents access, and more importantly, it represents belief in the extraordinary potential of community college students.”
Okwonna emphasized that many San Jacinto students are first-generation college students balancing work, family and financial responsibilities while pursuing higher education.
“We know that talent exists everywhere, even when opportunity does not,” he said.
Students participating in the program shared personal stories about how Take Flight helped reshape their academic ambitions and career goals.
Fabian Cardenas, a nontraditional student who previously worked as an electrician before enrolling at San Jacinto College, said the program opened doors he once thought were out of reach.
“These outreach programs are incredibly important for uplifting the marginalized communities who typically attend community college,” Cardenas said. “I’m glad and thankful to have been able to participate in Take Flight during my time at San Jac.”
Daju Helaire said the program expanded her understanding of what was possible academically.
“It made me think, ‘Community college is a steppingstone. Rice is an option. Higher education is an option,’” Helaire said. “It made me reach for the stars.”
For international student Mokhinur “Mohi” Khakimova, participating in a summer course at Rice became a special moment for both her and her family.
“My family was so proud of me, and I was so excited to experience this university feeling,” Khakimova said. “Since then, I’m a Take Flight student, and I also got accepted into one of the short summer programs this summer too.”
Another international student, Abdel Rahman Rabata, pointed out what he believes is the most meaningful part of the program.
“What I appreciate the most is opportunity,” Rabata said. “This partnership between Rice and San Jac gives opportunities for people like me that I wouldn’t have at any other institution.”
Amy Dittmar, the Howard R. Hughes Provost at Rice, praised the program’s role in helping students from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
“This partnership is about breaking down those barriers and about showing the possibilities,” Dittmar said. “We hope to continue to grow the program as we reduce the barriers even further for people to come to Rice or wherever they go in order to achieve their dreams.”
As the ceremony concluded, students, faculty and administrators gathered for photos and conversations celebrating a partnership leaders on both sides say will continue creating new educational pathways for Houston-area students.
For more information about the Take Flight Scholars program, visit takeflightscholars.rice.edu .