Rice Parents Council Portal

WELCOME

Thank you for deepening your engagement through service on the Parents Council! We are grateful for your investment in Rice University.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Rice Parents Council \| October 2-3, 2026
The Parents Council program offers opportunities to connect with university leadership, learn about Rice's strategic priorities, engage in meaningful discussion about the student experience, and network with fellow Rice families. The weekend begins Friday evening with a welcome reception hosted by President DesRoches. The formal Parents Council program will take place Saturday morning through lunchtime, followed by an Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK) Open House Experience. A discounted hotel block has been reserved for Parent Council members at Blossom Hotel Houston. Book your room by September 3. Blossom Hotel offers onsite dining options and is located 2 miles from campus.

Rice Parents Council | October 2-3, 2026

The Parents Council program offers opportunities to connect with university leadership, learn about Rice's strategic priorities, engage in meaningful discussion about the student experience, and network with fellow Rice families.

The weekend begins Friday evening with a welcome reception hosted by President DesRoches. The formal Parents Council program will take place Saturday morning through lunchtime, followed by an Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK) Open House Experience.

A discounted hotel block has been reserved for Parent Council members at Blossom Hotel Houston. Book your room by September 3. Blossom Hotel offers onsite dining options and is located 2 miles from campus.

Fall Parents Council Agenda
Parents Council Reception Friday, October 2 \| 5:00-6:30 p.m. Wiess President's House Students Welcome President Reginald and Paula DesRoches invite Parents Council members and their students to their on-campus home for an official welcome. Enjoy refreshments while connecting with fellow Parents Council families. -------- Parents Council Program Saturday, October 3 \| 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. McNair Hall, Anderson Family Commons 8:30-9:00 a.m. Breakfast & Neworking Connect with fellow Rice Parents Council members over breakfast. 9:00-9:30 a.m. Welcome Remarks & Introductions Stephen Bayer, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, will deliver welcome remarks and provide a brief overview of the Rice Momentous strategic plan, the upcoming campaign, and Rice Parents Council, including its goals, updates, and ways to get involved. 9:30-10:15 a.m. Fireside Chat on the Future of Rice: Vision, Growth, and Impact A conversation between Melinda Spaulding Chevalier, Vice President for Public Affairs, and Brian Lindoerfer, Associate Vice President of Facilities, Planning, & Capital Construction, about Rice's continued growth, rising national and global profile, strategic investments, and future priorities. 10:15-10:30 a.m. Coffee Break 10:30-11:30 a.m. Student Life & Undergraduate Education Leadership Panel Moderated by Brian Gibson, Senior Associate Dean of Students, this discussion will feature a panel of Student Life and Undergraduate Education leaders, including Allison Vogt, Associate Dean of Students; Kristen Ernst, Executive Director, Student Center; and Shelah Crear, Associate Dean of Undergraduates and Director of Student Success, who will share key priorities for the coming year, opportunities for family engagement, and time for audience questions. 11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Lunch & OEDK Tour – Students Welcome Join us for a light lunch and a conversation with Maria Oden, Professor of Bioengineering and Director of the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK), Rice's premier 20,000-square-foot innovation and maker space. Dr. Oden will share insights into the past, present, and future of the OEDK. This will be followed by an open-house-style experience offering a firsthand look at the space where more than 1,100 engineering students each year design, build, and test solutions to real-world challenges. Register here by Friday, September 18. For questions, contact parentscouncil@rice.edu.

Fall Parents Council Agenda

Parents Council Reception

Friday, October 2 | 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Wiess President's House
Students Welcome

President Reginald and Paula DesRoches invite Parents Council members and their students to their on-campus home for an official welcome. Enjoy refreshments while connecting with fellow Parents Council families.

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Parents Council Program

Saturday, October 3 | 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
McNair Hall, Anderson Family Commons

8:30-9:00 a.m. Breakfast & Neworking
Connect with fellow Rice Parents Council members over breakfast.

9:00-9:30 a.m. Welcome Remarks & Introductions
Stephen Bayer, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, will deliver welcome remarks and provide a brief overview of the Rice Momentous strategic plan, the upcoming campaign, and Rice Parents Council, including its goals, updates, and ways to get involved.

9:30-10:15 a.m. Fireside Chat on the Future of Rice: Vision, Growth, and Impact
A conversation between Melinda Spaulding Chevalier, Vice President for Public Affairs, and Brian Lindoerfer, Associate Vice President of Facilities, Planning, & Capital Construction, about Rice's continued growth, rising national and global profile, strategic investments, and future priorities.

10:15-10:30 a.m. Coffee Break

10:30-11:30 a.m. Student Life & Undergraduate Education Leadership Panel
Moderated by Brian Gibson, Senior Associate Dean of Students, this discussion will feature a panel of Student Life and Undergraduate Education leaders, including Allison Vogt, Associate Dean of Students; Kristen Ernst, Executive Director, Student Center; and Shelah Crear, Associate Dean of Undergraduates and Director of Student Success, who will share key priorities for the coming year, opportunities for family engagement, and time for audience questions.

11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Lunch & OEDK Tour – Students Welcome
Join us for a light lunch and a conversation with Maria Oden, Professor of Bioengineering and Director of the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK), Rice's premier 20,000-square-foot innovation and maker space. Dr. Oden will share insights into the past, present, and future of the OEDK. This will be followed by an open-house-style experience offering a firsthand look at the space where more than 1,100 engineering students each year design, build, and test solutions to real-world challenges.

Register here by Friday, September 18.

For questions, contact parentscouncil@rice.edu.

RESOURCES

Event Recordings
To learn more about Parents Council and key campus updates, we encourage you to view recordings from past meetings: Spring 2026

Parents Council Newsletters
Fall 2026

Volunteer Opportunities
Host a Rice Extern: Help shape a Rice student’s career journey by signing up to be an Owl Edge Externship mentor. To learn more, visit Owl Edge Externship Program. Register by Sept 28 to host a Rice Extern during the winter session (Dec 16-Jan 10).

Photos

CONTACT INFORMATION

Thank you for your philanthropic leadership. We look forward to connecting with you and hosting you on campus.

Susan Mintz
Senior Director,
Parent & Family Philanthropy

(713) 348-4383
susan.mintz@rice.edu

Corissa Wandmacher
Associate Director of Development,
Parent & Family Philanthropy

(713) 348-2200
cwandmacher@rice.edu

Sarah Truby
Director of Development,
Parent & Family Philanthropy

(713) 348-6131
sarah.truby@rice.edu

Heather Albert
Development Coordinator,
Parent & Family Philanthropy

(713) 348-5623
heather.albert@rice.edu

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