Rice goes lime green for World Mental Health Day
Rice recognized World Mental Health Day Oct. 10 with a series of activities around campus. The Wellbeing and Counseling Center partnered with The Walk Houston to bring lime green — the official color to recognize mental health — to campus to honor the day.
Bridging crisis and care: Vincent embracing role as Rice’s first community behavioral specialist
As Rice’s first community behavioral specialist, Nancy Vincent brings a wealth of experience in crisis management, social work and mental health advocacy to campus, offering a vital resource for immediate intervention and long-term support.
Personalized culture of care: Families Weekend celebrates connection, community and Rice pride
Rice welcomed hundreds of parents and family members to campus Oct. 3-4 for Families Weekend, a beloved annual tradition that gives loved ones a glimpse into student life and the vibrant community that defines the Rice experience.
Nuestra Herencia adds flavor to Hispanic Heritage Month
Music, dance and culture filled Rice's Grand Hall during the annual Nuestra Herencia, an event sponsored by the Office of Public Affairs’ Multicultural Relations as part of Hispanic Heritage month held Oct. 5.
‘A life well lived in service’: Rice celebrates retiree West
Rice recently honored an employee who has dedicated more than 36 years of service to the campus and all who enter its doors. The Sept. 25 celebration for alumna Jan West ’73, assistant director of multicultural community relations, highlighted her tenure, which is marked by breaking barriers and championing diversity.
Rice Thresher named finalist for ‘Pulitzer Prize of college journalism’
Rice’s student newspaper, The Rice Thresher, was named a finalist for the Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Award. In university circles, the award is nicknamed “the Pulitzer Prize of college journalism,” recognizing outstanding performance for the paper as a whole.
Forging her own path: Ortiz blends journalism, sport management, heritage
When Kathleen Ortiz arrived at Rice, she wasn’t sure if journalism would remain part of her life. A senior majoring in social policy analysis and sport management, Ortiz said she originally wanted to carve out an academic identity apart from her journalist parents — her mother, a high school journalism teacher and former reporter, and her father, the founder of a media company and longtime Houston Chronicle sports reporter.
‘A life-changing impact’: Rice launches annual United Way campaign
The 2025-26 Rice United Way Campaign has officially launched and provides an opportunity to make a real difference in the area. Contributions not only support individuals and families in need, but they also help to build a stronger, more resilient Houston for everyone.
Rice rises in US News rankings, recognized for value, teaching and innovation
Rice continues its upward trajectory in national and international rankings, earning the No. 17 spot in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings.
‘We shine’: Rice begins Hispanic Heritage Month with festivities, food, message of perseverance
Rice’s Grand Hall was filled with students, music and festivities Sept. 15 as the university began its many celebrations as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. Themed Together We Shine/Juntos Brillamos, the festivities include programming across campus through Oct. 15 that spotlights the pride, passion and progress of Hispanic communities in the U.S. while also acknowledging the ongoing work toward greater recognition, representation and empowerment.
Rice adopts Google’s generative AI solution to enhance student learning and faculty support
Rice has partnered with Google for Education to adopt Google’s generative AI solution, Gemini for Education, to provide students, faculty and staff with powerful, responsible AI tools designed to personalize learning, enhance creativity and better prepare students for a technology-driven future.
Rice to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with 30 events
Rice will honor Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with a host of events dedicated to recognizing the rich contributions and achievements of Hispanic and Latino Americans throughout the country’s history.
Rice community honors 9/11 with stadium stair climb
Rice University’s Naval ROTC program hosted an inaugural stair climb at Rice Stadium Thursday morning to honor the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks, which occurred on this day 24 years ago.
On a roll: Chabad at Rice hosts annual sushi social
Members of the Jewish student community at Rice gathered recently at the Chabad Jewish Student Center for sushi and socializing to kick off the fall semester. Hosted by Rabbi Shmuli Slonim and Nechama Slonim, the group welcomed more than 100 students for the popular annual gathering.
Behind-the-scenes heroes of safety: Rice’s emergency management team vigilantly watches over campus
August is designated as National Emergency Management Awareness Month. To recognize the impact Rice’s four-member emergency management team makes on campus, Rice News spoke with the group to discuss its role in preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies and disasters.
