Collaborative Culture, Operations,
and Distinctive Identity

The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing thrives when its people, processes, and culture are aligned toward excellence, innovation, and impact. An emphasis on building an inclusive, entrepreneurial, and high-performing environment empowers students, faculty, staff, and alumni to reach their full potential. By fostering mentorship, professional development, operational efficiency, and a distinctive global identity, we will strengthen the School’s reputation, visibility, and influence. Strategic investments in people, programs, and infrastructure will ensure that our community is equipped to lead in research, education, and societal impact while sustaining a culture of accountability, recognition, and continuous improvement.

Student success lies at the heart of the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing’s mission. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that enables every student—undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral—to thrive academically, professionally, and personally. Through intentional mentoring, enhanced professional development, and strong connections to alumni and industry, the School will prepare students for diverse career pathways and leadership roles in engineering, computing, and beyond.

• Expand efforts through the Center for Engineering Excellence Through Equity, with a renewed focus on mentoring, academic success, and professional development for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Cultivate a mentoring culture that supports multiple career paths, including academia, industry, government, and entrepreneurship.
• Develop structured mentorship programs that support students across disciplines and degree levels, with tailored support for doctoral student progression.
• Develop and enhance initiatives to train and support faculty and peer mentors, including best practices in advising, inclusive teaching, and research mentorship.
• Create structured opportunities for alumni to mentor students, serve as guest lecturers, host design projects, and support internships through professional societies and student chapters.
• Use data-informed approaches to track student success and identify barriers to engagement or progression.
• Expand and seek endowment support for the Future Faculty Fellows program, including innovation in teaching and pedagogy and enhanced mentorship opportunities to prepare outstanding scholars for academic leadership.
• Partner with professional development offices to enhance graduate and postdoctoral career readiness through coordinated training, advising, and teaching opportunities.
• Strengthen connections between students and the Rice Engineering Alumni network to foster mentorship, networking, and career readiness.

The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing will elevate its national and global reputation by amplifying the excellence, impact, and reach of its faculty, alumni, and programs. Anchored in the mission of Solving for Greater Good, we will articulate and promote a compelling identity that reflects how Rice engineers and computer scientists advance knowledge, drive innovation, and improve lives. By leveraging Houston’s role as a global innovation hub, investing in high-quality storytelling, and supporting faculty and alumni as thought leaders and public scholars, the School will strengthen its visibility, credibility, and influence.

• Leverage Houston’s global city status to enhance the School’s visibility and strategic partnerships.
• Invest in high-quality storytelling, digital platforms, and media training to amplify institutional impact and faculty and alumni achievements.
• Strategically expand efforts to highlight alumni achievements across industry, academia, public service, and entrepreneurship, launching initiatives such as the Beyond the Classroom video series to inspire students, engage the alumni network, and reinforce the School’s impact and reputation.
• Develop a robust alumni data and engagement platform, in partnership with the university, to improve tracking, communications, and personalized engagement.
• Increase nominations of faculty and alumni for national academies, major awards, and professional recognitions through a four-stage engagement model.
• Support public scholarship and thought leadership by encouraging and resourcing faculty and alumni engagement in op-eds, invited talks, podcasts, and other public-facing forums.
• Promote external leadership roles for faculty and alumni on advisory boards, committees, and professional organizations to extend the School’s influence beyond Rice.

Operational excellence is essential to sustaining the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing’s growth, agility, and long-term impact. By strengthening administrative infrastructure, embracing data-driven decision-making, and investing in people and processes, the School will ensure that its operations effectively support teaching, research, and innovation. A culture of accountability, continuous improvement, well-defined career pathways, and professional development will empower staff and faculty alike to deliver on the School’s ambitious strategic goals.

• Build capacity across marketing, finance, research administration, and general administrative teams to support faculty growth and advance the School’s strategic goals.
• Utilize data dashboards and analytics to inform resource allocation and decision-making.
• Optimize administrative and financial processes through automation and simplification.
• Promote a culture of ownership, accountability, and professional growth through leadership pathways and recognition programs.

Together, through our commitment to research excellence, transformative education, and innovation that serves humanity, the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing at Rice University will advance its mission, achieve its goals, and solidify its position as a national and global leader.