BY ROSIE NGUYEN
For two weeks before the fall semester begins, a group of incoming Rice students traded the uncertainty of starting college alone for a community built through discussion, reflection and exploration.
The Office of Access and Institutional Excellence welcomed its sixth cohort of students into RISE, a summer bridge program designed to help incoming students interested in the humanities, social sciences, business and architecture transition into university life.
Through faculty-led seminars, campus workshops and educational excursions throughout Houston, participants began building relationships while developing a deeper understanding of themselves, their city and their future as Rice students.
"The purpose of RISE is to make sure our incoming students feel grounded, supported and already have a community once they officially start the fall semester," said Jaime Peña Jr., associate director of undergraduate programs in the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence. "We do our best to cultivate a community of care."
Each morning, students explored themes of identity, history and civic engagement through seminars led by Alexander X. Byrd '90, vice provost for access and institutional excellence, and Luziris Pineda Turi, associate vice provost of strategic initiatives. The cohort read "Up Home" by Rice President's Distinguished Fellow Ruth Simmons before meeting the New York Times best-selling author herself to discuss her memoir and leadership journey.
Outside the classroom, students attended informational workshops about resources offered by a range of departments and traveled into Houston's neighborhoods to connect classroom discussions with the city's history and communities.
For many students, those experiences reshaped how they envisioned their first year of college.
"I would say that RISE is a two-week college preparatory program," said transfer student Ary Rodas. "It's kind of like a pregame to college. It teaches us a lot, especially first-generation students, about the college experience and prepares us for what's to come."
The program also challenged students to go beyond "beyond the hedges." Visits to Houston's Fifth Ward, Second Ward and Third Ward introduced participants to community members, local history and current issues affecting the city.
For freshman Ahmad Farooq, an immigrant from Afghanistan who hopes to become a diplomat, the Second Ward visit became a defining moment.
"I found my identity," Farooq said. "I realized that this is who I am. I want to help people who are considered inferior by society."
Freshman Gabrielle Donaldson, who will be moving from Seattle to attend Rice, said visiting the memorial honoring Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston's East End (Second Ward) demonstrated how communities rally around one another during times of tragedy.
"It reminded me to not only have empathy myself, but encourage others to be empathetic and compassionate," Donaldson said.
Beyond Houston, students discovered something equally meaningful in one another.
Freshman Belén Vasquez appreciated the diversity of perspectives represented within the cohort, while classmate Kimora Potter described the friendships she formed as a head start on building her support system before classes begin.
Freshman David Johnson said the seminars, workshops and visits throughout Houston expanded his understanding beyond the "Rice bubble" while creating opportunities for connection with fellow students.
A capstone project challenged students to imagine a "real major" by combining disciplines that reflected their passions and career goals. The interdisciplinary project encouraged participants to think creatively about how liberal arts education intersects with real-world challenges.
Drawing on her experiences growing up in Gaza, freshman Marissa Ackell envisioned a major combining business, digital media and art direction. Classmate Mohamed Taha, whose parents are from Pakistan, explored the intersection of business and psychology, and Taryn Campos-Smith designed a program centered on human connection and conflict resolution.
Throughout the two weeks, students repeatedly returned to a common theme - belonging.
Many entered the program carrying the excitement and anxiety that accompanies matriculation. By the final day, those nerves had largely been replaced with confidence built through friendships, faculty mentorship and familiarity with campus resources.
"I really think RISE has equipped me with the tools and the people necessary to help me get through my first year," Vasquez said. "We've learned about so many different resources on campus, and we've learned from so many incredible people who are so enthusiastic about supporting us."
As students prepare to return for O-Week and begin their first semester, Peña said he hopes the relationships formed during RISE will continue to shape their Rice experience.
"One of my favorite moments was visiting the East End and the memorial of Mr. Lorenzo," Peña said. "It allowed us to be still, to reflect and to feel. It was beautiful to see everyone in the cohort support one another and come together in that reflective moment."
For participants, the end of the program marked not a conclusion but the beginning of a shared journey. The RISE 2026 cohort will continue meeting once a week during the fall semester for an evening course with Byrd and Pineda Turi.