Program Overview

Leadership Rice seeks to accomplish its mission through a blend of curricular and co-curricular activities that devotes ample attention to both the theory and practice of leadership.

Academic Classes

Leadership Rice offers several classes that focus on leadership concepts and skills, including:

LEAD 101: Leadership: Theory & Practice
LEAD 150: Leadership in a Professional Context
LEAD 301/HUMA 312: Historical and Intellectual Foundations of Leadership
LEAD 313: Entrepreneurial Leadership
LEAD 320: Rhetoric of Leadership
LEAD 321/COMM 321: Leadership Communication
LEAD 325/COMM 325: Applied Leadership: Power, Influence, and Persuasion
LEAD 375/SOCI 375: The Social Dynamics of Leadership

Visit the Courses page for more information.

Summer Mentorship Experience

Leadership Rice's Summer Mentorship Experience is a prestigious summer internship program for Rice undergraduates who aspire to high-level leadership. The SME is more than a typical summer internship. Before starting their internships, students attend training sessions that focus on leadership in professional contexts. For nine weeks over the course of the summer, students do substantive work with recognized leaders in public, private, or non-profit organizations. Students also complete readings and written assignments that deepen their understanding of the personal and professional demands leaders face. In addition, each student is paired with a mentor who is responsible for overseeing the student's learning and personal development. Previous placements have been in Houston, New York City, Washington D.C., Paris, and Pune, India.

Envision Grant

Students are invited to take the lead in bringing their ideas to life by applying for an Envision Grant. Open to all Rice students through a competitive application process, Envision Grants provide up to $2,500 in support of student projects that promote service, foster leadership development, demonstrate ingenuity, and plan for sustainability. Implementing a project funded by an Envision Grant is a excellent way for students interested in applying for prestigious scholarships and fellowships to demonstrate that they possess the initiative and ability to translate ideas to action.

On-campus and Off-Campus Events

Leadership Rice facilitates student participation in lectures, conferences, and other events related to leadership development.     

Toastmasters

Convinced that powerful communication skills are essential for effective leadership, Leadership Rice sponsors the Toastmasters International club at Rice. Toastmasters provides a supportive context in which to become more confident and polished in public speaking.