Leading Owls Podcast
The Leading Owls podcast, brought to you by Rice University's Doerr Institute for New Leaders, showcases Rice student, faculty and staff leaders along with leader development professionals and coaches. Each week, we bring you inspiring stories and practical tips from successful student leaders across the Rice campus. Learn about student leadership at Rice University, get tips from current leaders that will help you on your journey, and discover how you can make a real impact on your campus and community. You will hear from presidents, club leaders, social entrepreneurs, and other changemakers on what it takes to be a student leader. Don't miss out on unlocking your full potential as a student leader. Subscribe to the Leading Owls Podcast today for your weekly dose of motivation and leadership insights. New episodes drop every Tuesday!
Episodes
56 episodes
Behind the Scenes of Beer Bike Leadership
When Kenzie first arrived at Rice, she wasn’t sure where she fit in. Like many students, she held back—unsure if she belonged or how to get involved. But through building relationships, taking small risks, and leaning into what felt meaningful,...
Building Something That’s Never Existed Before with First Ever Chao College President Elijah
What does it take to lead when there’s no playbook?In this episode of Leading Owls, we sit down with Elijah White, the first-ever President of Chao College at Rice University. From helping sort mail as a first-year student to le...
How Coaching Changed My Leadership Journey at Rice University
In this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we sit down with Rice student leader Abby—Beer Bike designer, Duncan Arts Committee co-head, and Doerr Undergraduate Ambassador—to explore how creativity and leadership come together to build ...
From Ideas to Impact: Bodie Gilbert on Building Movements at Rice MBA
Today’s guest is Bodie Gilbert, one of Rice Business’s top MBA students and the founding president of the Rice Business Management Association. Bodie’s leadership journey has been about turning ideas into movements — and classmates into collabo...
Inside Rice Leadership: New Chao College Leader Prasanna on O-Week & Student Life
In this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we sit down with Prasanna, a first-year student at Rice University, incoming O-Week Coordinator for Chao College, and student leader deeply involved in campus life. Prasanna shares how curiosi...
Connection Is the Strategy: Rice Business Leader Tranell Shares His MBA Journey
Today’s guest is Tranell, a standout MBA student at Rice Business whose leadership is defined by community, accountability, and heart. Tranell currently serves as Co-Executive Chair of the Texas Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Conference, ...
Building Belonging at Rice University's Brown College with Student Leader Neya
In this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we sit down with Neya, a first year at Rice University’s Brown College and an emerging campus leader already making an impact through student government. Neya shares what ...
How to Get Involved at Rice as a New Student | Ellie’s Advice
On this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we’re joined by Ellie, a first-year student at Rice University who wasted no time diving into leadership, entrepreneurship, and campus life.Ellie shares how her passion for leade...
Leading From Day One: A First Year’s Journey at Rice
On this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we sit down with Maria, a first-year student at Rice University and New Student Representative (NSR) for Lovett College in the Student Association. Maria shares what motivated her to ...
From Historic Youth Advocate to Emerging Rice Leader: Saran Shares Her Story PART II
In Part 2 of this powerful episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we continue our discussion with Saran, a first-year student at Rice whose leadership journey began long before she arrived on campus. At just 16, Saran became the first Mongolian A...
From Historic Youth Advocate to Emerging Rice Leader: Saran Shares Her Story PART I
In Part 1 of this powerful episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we sit down with Saran, a first-year student at Rice whose leadership journey began long before she arrived on campus. At just 16, Saran became the first Mongolian...
Building Better Leaders: Behind the Scenes with the Doerr Institute
On this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we’re joined by Gary Garrett, Program Manager at the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University.Gary has been part of the Doerr team since its early days, helping shape and de...
“I Wanted to Give Back What O-Week Gave Me”: Eman on Leadership at Rice
On this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we sit down with Eman, a 2025 O-Week Coordinator for Baker College, who has worn many hats as a student leader at Rice. From being an O-Week Advisor, PAA, and Room Assignment Coordinator to ...
The New Science of Momentum: Sparking Motivation and Momentum Through Leadership with Dr. Bernie Banks
On this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Bernie Banks, Director of the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University, retired U.S. Army Brigadier General, and co-author of the new book The New Science of Moment...
From New Student to O-Week Leader: Aislinn on Getting Involved at Rice
On this episode of Leading Owls, we sit down with Aislinn, a standout student leader and one of this year’s O-Week Coordinators for Wiess College. From her first year on New Student Council to joining 11 IM sports teams (yes—eleven!), ...
Behind the Scenes of O-Week at Jones College at Rice University
In this episode of Leading Owls, we go behind the scenes with Rachel, one of the 2025 O-Week Coordinators for Jones College, whose leadership is shaped by creativity and a deep love for all things Rice. From her time as a Floor Rep and...
Empowering New Owls: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at O-Week Planning
In this episode of Leading Owls, we sit down with Princess, the 2025 O-Week Coordinator for Brown College at Rice University. From her journey as a freshman rep to leading one of the most exciting and pivotal weeks of the year, Princes...
Planning O-Week and Building Belonging at Sid Rich College and Rice
In this episode of Leading Owls, we’re joined by Audrey, one of Sid Richardson College’s 2025 O-Week Coordinators and a student leader whose fingerprints are all over campus life at Rice. From serving as Sid Rich Secretary, Vice Presid...
O-Week with Intention: An International Student’s Perspective
In this episode of Leading Owls, we sit down with Arturo, one of the 2025 O-Week Coordinators, whose leadership is fueled by curiosity, cultural insight, and a passion for building community. As an international student deeply involved...
Leading with Heart: Yazmine’s Journey from First-Year Rep to O-Week Coordinator
On this episode of Leading Owls, we sit down with Yazmine, a powerhouse student leader at McMurtry College and one of this year’s O-Week Coordinators. From her first steps as a First-Year Representative to serving as External Vice Pres...
Behind the Magic of Rice University O-Week with Nimah
🎙️ Welcome back to the Leading Owls Podcast! Today, we’re sitting down with an incredible student leader, Nimah, the 2025 Hanszen O-Week Coordinator and incoming Executive Vice President of Rice Program Council. Nimah is involved in so m...
Tradition Meets Vision: Kaitlyn on Leading at Duncan and Beyond
In this episode of Leading Owls, we’re joined by Kaitlyn, a standout student leader from Duncan College who wears many hats on campus—including 2025 O-Week Coordinator, Doerr Institute Student Ambassador, Culture & Inclusion Commit...
From O-Week to Prime Minister: Behind the Scenes of a McMurtry Leader
Today, we’re diving into the world of student leadership with Carlos, a standout leader at McMurtry College. Carlos has taken on major leadership roles, serving as the 2025 McMurtry O-Week Coordinator, McMurtry Prime Minister, Socials and Cultu...
Growing as a Leader at Rice University: Inside the Doerr Institute for New Leaders
Today, we’re joined by Stephanie Taylor, Associate Director of Leader Development at the Doerr Institute for New Leaders. Stephanie plays a key role in shaping the leader development experience at Rice University—overseeing the hiring and train...
What It Takes to Lead a College at Rice University: Lynn-Chi’s Story
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-C...