The Center for Engineering Excellence Through Equity promotes equitable practices and institutional structures across Rice's School of Engineering and Computing. Our work is guided by three core objectives: Data-Driven Initiatives, using research to inform evidence-based programming; Inclusive Community Support, building inclusive communities through programming, resources, and relationship-building; and Accountability, ensuring transparency through ongoing assessment and public reporting.
Graduate Student Peer Mentoring Program
In response to our Graduate Student Experience Survey, we developed a Peer Mentoring Program. Open to all Engineering and Computing PhD students, the program provides resources to help students build a strong community network throughout their PhD journey.
Learn more about the Graduate Peer Mentoring Program.
For more information about mentoring opportunities, email Cecilia Fernandez.
Building Research on Inequality and Diversity to Grow Equity (BRIDGE) Speaker Series
Rice Engineering and Computing in collaboration with the Weiss School of Natural Sciences and the School of Social Sciences launched a speaker series called “Perspectives on STEM Higher Education: Examining Institutional and Social Structures to Develop Inclusive STEM classrooms” where experts on STEM Higher Education share current research and best practices for creating inclusive classrooms.
For more information, email Cecilia Fernandez.
Engineering Teaching Assistant Training
Completion of the Engineering TA Training course is mandatory for all TAs every year. The course provides TAs with information regarding federal regulations, institutional policies, diversity/equity/inclusion, TA and instructor interactions, lesson prep, TA and student interactions, active learning strategies, grading tips, and teamwork facilitation.
For more information, contact engineering@rice.edu.
Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research Symposium
The annual Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research Symposium (GCURS) is one of the longest-running and most prestigious undergraduate research conferences in the southeast. Open to students from all universities and hosted by Rice, GCURS provides students around the world the opportunity to present their original research to an audience of their peers.
Learn more about the Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Gulf Scholars Program
The Gulf Scholars Program (GSP@Rice) is designed to inspire and prepare undergraduate students to address challenges of resilience, such as natural hazards and climate stressors facing urban and industrial communities in the region. GSP@Rice is open to current sophomores and transfer students with sophomore standing across all majors on campus and requires a year-long commitment.
Learn more about the Gulf Scholars Program.
I-ACED Program for Engineering Professional Master’s Students
Improving Access to Career and Educational Development for Talented, Low-Income Students through the Flexible Internships-Research-Education Model (I-ACED) is a multi-institutional NSF-backed program integrating internships and research experiences to prepare students for careers in engineering and STEM fields.
Learn more about I-ACED.
Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment Center (NEWT)
NEWT offers programs for high school teachers and students, and for undergraduate and graduate students. From semester-long courses to summer research experiences, students can engage with a multidisciplinary group of scientists dedicated to the development of sustainable nanotechnology-enabled solutions to provide water access around the globe.
Learn more about NEWT Center educational programs.
Rice Engineering Alumni Summer Engineering Experience
Launched in fall 2020, the REA Summer Engineering Experience (SEE) provides students with their first taste of engineering in a professional work environment. Focusing on early-tenure students who may have limited exposure to real-world engineering, SEE aims to ignite their curiosity and passion for engineering as a career path. In collaboration with the Rice Emerging Scholars Program (RESP), SEE identifies promising candidates and provides comprehensive support throughout the application process – from resume reviews to mock interviews and informational panels.
Learn more about the REA Summer Engineering Experience.
Hear from participants in the program.
Tapia Center for Excellence and Equity in Education
The Tapia Center is designed to empower motivated, academically successful, underrepresented students who are passionate about their education. The programs open Rice University and higher educational experiences to emerging scholars deserving of academic opportunity.
Learn more about the Tapia Center.