Leading Owls Podcast

Today, we’re sitting down with Lynn-Chi, President of Baker College, to get an inside look at what it takes to lead one of Rice’s residential colleges. From stepping into leadership for the first time to managing campus-wide initiatives, Lynn-Chi shares her path to leadership, the challenges and successes of being Baker College President, and advice for students looking to get involved. We’ll also...

Welcome back to the Leading Owls Podcast, where we spotlight the stories of student leaders making an impact at Rice University! Today, we’re joined by Molly, a Doctor of Musical Arts student at the Shepherd School of Music, where she plays the viola and wears many leadership hats. From serving as a Teaching Assistant and Instructor of Record to earning the prestigious Vaughn Fellowship, Molly has...

Today, we have a truly inspiring guest—Hong Lin, a student leader whose involvement at Rice spans across Brown College, student government, campus organizations, creative projects, and more. From serving as Associates Coordinator at Brown College to leading initiatives in Coalition Rice, Rice Admissions, and the Doerr Institute, Hong has made a lasting impact on the Rice community. In this episode...

On this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we’re joined by Lindsey, a dedicated student leader whose impact at Rice speaks for itself. From serving as Will Rice College Senator to leading as Director of the Students with Disabilities Commission and Undergraduate Ambassador for the Doerr Institute, Lindsey has championed initiatives that make a difference. Tune in as she shares her journey into l...

Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Danielle King, a leading voice in the field of resilience and an associate professor of Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Rice University. Dr. King is the Principal Investigator of the WorKing Resilience Research Laboratory, where she explores topics like employee resilience, thriving, and workplace dynamics. Her groundbreaking work has been featured...

Welcome back to the Leading Owls podcast, where we highlight the incredible student leaders at Rice University who are shaping our campus and communities. Today, we’re thrilled to have America joining us—a true powerhouse of leadership and service at Rice. America wears many hats: she’s the Owl Access Student Director, helping to ensure access for all students, as the Beer Bike Campus Coordinator,...

 Today, we’re honored to be joined by Tim Harrison, a Rice alumnus, founder of the Enjoyable Pain of Growth (EPOG) Academy, and a true example of transformational leadership. Tim’s journey began as a student-athlete, arriving at Rice with dreams of an NBA career. When those aspirations didn’t materialize, he faced a turning point that set him on a path of personal growth and purpose. Through his s...

Today, we’re thrilled to introduce Jennie, a dynamic leader whose involvement on campus spans an impressive range of roles and organizations. Jennie’s leadership journey at Rice includes serving as a 2025 Co-Student Director, a Vietnamese Student Association Co-Event Coordinator, and a FLI Ambassador—all while balancing past roles like O-Week Coordinator, Baker College Socials Chair, and Vice Pres...

In this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast , we’re joined by Dr. David C. Kirkpatrick, PhD, Vice President and Chief of Staff, Office of the President and Dr. Margaret F. Sloan, PhD, Director & Professor, School of Strategic Leadership Studies from James Madison University to discuss JMU’s remarkable journey toward achieving the prestigious Carnegie Classification for Leadership for Public Pu...

 As we step into 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how we can grow, lead, and make this our best year yet. Today, we’re honored to be joined by Bernard "Bernie" Banks, Director of the Doerr Institute for New Leaders and a renowned expert in leadership and organizational change. With a career spanning academia, the military, and global consulting, Bernie has a unique perspective o...

In this episode of Leading Owls , we sit down with Abram, one of the Duncan College O-Week Coordinators and Chaus Managers to explore his leadership journey at Rice. From planning one of the most memorable weeks of the year to managing a beloved campus spot, he shares the challenges, wins, and lessons learned along the way.  Tune in for insider tips on what it takes to be an O-Week Coordinator, le...

Welcome to our special series, Meet the Classified Campuses , where we spotlight some of the top higher education institutions leading the way in leader development. These remarkable schools have earned the prestigious Carnegie Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose , a recognition of their outstanding commitment to developing future leaders dedicated to serving the public good....

In this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast , we sit down for the second part of our interview with Aaron Pomerantz, PhD, who serves as the Postdoctoral Research Fellow on the Doerr Institute for New Leaders’ Research Team. Aaron dives into compelling questions like: Does developing leaders increase employee and team retention? How do leaders shape an organization’s culture and environment? We als...

In this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast , we sit down with Aaron Pomerantz, PhD, who serves as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow on the Doerr Institute for New Leaders’ Research Team. Aaron explores the true ROI of leader development and shares compelling insights on how investing in leadership impacts an organization’s retention, culture, and overall success. We also dive into the critical role...

In this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we sit down with Nico, a Rice Business senior who has taken on leadership roles across the Rice campus since he arrived here four years ago. As a Lead Ambassador at the Doerr Institute for New Leaders, President of Rice Consulting, Head Peer Academic Advisor at Baker College, and Consulting Head of the Rice Business Society, Nico brings a unique perspec...

Ever wondered what it takes to make Rice University's Orientation Week, or O-Week, such an unforgettable experience? In this episode, we sit down with two amazing O-Week Coordinators: Tinde from Brown College and Alessa from Baker College. They give us an inside look at what it's like to lead this essential tradition, sharing their journey from applicants to leaders. Tune in to hear Tind...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ryan P. Brown, the Managing Director for Measurement at the Doerr Institute for New Leaders, to explore why measuring leader development programs is essential for meaningful impact. Dr. Brown shares the Doerr Institute’s unique approach to assessment, offering tips on how to apply these techniques to gauge the success of your own programs. In this episode we d...

In this episode of the Leading Owls podcast, we welcome Leadership Coach Elizabeth De La Pena Veeser, who shares her insights on understanding and navigating conflict in our personal and professional lives. Elizabeth discusses the nature of conflict, exploring what it really is and why it often gets a bad rap. She provides valuable strategies for approaching conflict constructively, emphasizing ho...

In this episode of the Leading Owls podcast, we’re joined by Doerr Institute Coach Stephanie Taylor to explore the powerful skill of resilience. Stephanie breaks down what resilience truly is—and what it isn’t. She shares practical strategies for building resilience in your everyday life and explains how anyone can develop it, no matter where you’re starting.  But it’s not all sunshine and perseve...

In this episode of the Leading Owls podcast, we sit down with Andrew, President of Lovett College, to dive into what’s on the horizon for this year at Rice University. Andrew shares exciting upcoming events and opportunities, plus how students can get involved in campus life. He also gives us an inside look into what it’s like to be a student leader at Rice—offering tips on balancing leadership re...

In this episode, Rice University O-Week Coordinator Arryana gives us an exclusive look into the planning and execution of Rice University's O-Week. She explains the vital role O-Week Coordinators play, how she stepped into this leadership position, and what it takes to make O-Week a success.  Arryana also shares valuable advice for new students on how to get involved and make the most of thei...

In this episode, we sit down with Rice University Student Association Internal Vice President Crystal to discuss what she’s most excited about at Rice this fall. Crystal shares how she began her journey in campus leadership at Rice University and offers invaluable advice for both new student leaders and incoming students.  Tune in to hear her best tips for navigating leadership roles, building con...

This episode is a MUST for new students to Rice! In this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast , we sit down with Mateo, the O-Week Coordinator for Hanszen College, to get an exclusive look behind the scenes of Rice University’s O-Week. Mateo shares what it’s really like to be an O-Week Coordinator, from the extensive planning process to the challenges of creating a welcoming and successful experien...

In this episode of Leading Owls , we sit down with Austin , a graduate student at Rice University and Lead Graduate Ambassador for the Doerr Institute, to discuss why developing leadership skills is essential for grad students.  Austin shares his personal experiences on how leadership has shaped his academic journey and offers practical advice on how to get involved on campus, even with the busy s...

In this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast , we sit down with Pranai, the visionary co-founder of Rice Student Venture Fund, Rice University's first and only Venture Capital Student Club. Pranai shares his journey of leadership development through the Doerr Institute's programs and how they have shaped his approach to leading and launching initiatives. We dive into the origin story of R...