Owl In for Houston!
The 2025-26 Rice United Way Campaign
Right here in our four-county Greater Houston region, 14 percent of households are living below the federal poverty threshold while another 28 percent of are working hard but still can’t afford the basic necessities of life. Together, that's 42 percent--far too many--but the year before, that figure was 44 percent; and the year before that, it was 45 percent; so we are turning the tide. By supporting a coordinated plan of United Way funded programs, Rice helps United Way connect people to possibililty right here in our community, making a meaningful, measurable difference, and helping our neighbors to get back on their feet and then stay there.
United Way is extraordinarily effective. They help families get out of poverty and bring a sense of social justice to our community.
Director, Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance
Herbert S. Autrey Chair of Social Sciences
Professor of Sociology
Faculty Chair, Rice United Way Campaign
Those of us who work for Rice are among the fortunate ones. Through our support of the Rice United Way Campaign, we can have a life-changing impact in our community.
Rice University Police Chief
Staff Chair, Rice United Way Campaign Committee
Contributions to the Rice United Way Campaign can help make a momentous difference in the lives of these neighbors in need, and helping them helps improve our community for all who live and work here.
Our Vision
Rice United Way Campaign chairs Elaine Howard Ecklund and Clemente Rodriguez explain how your support of United Way programs makes a difference in our community.
Our Mission
Developing children and youth to their full potential.
Strengthening families and neighborhoods.
Sustaining senior independence.
Supporting those who are rebuilding their lives.
Our Committee
Honorary Chair
Faculty Chair
Staff Chair
Lead Donors Co-Chair
Lead Donors Co-Chair
Campaign Manager
Division Captains
| Division | Captain(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Affairs | - | |
| Architecture | John Casbarian | jjc@rice.edu |
| Athletics | Stacy Mosely and Davon Robb | mosely@rice.edu, davon.robb@rice.edu |
| Baker Institute | Ben Stevenson | ben.stevenson@rice.edu |
| Business | - | |
| Continuing Studies | Kim Raptis | kim.raptis@rice.edu |
| Development & Alumni | Nhung Tran | nt50@rice.edu |
| Doerr Institute | Gary Garrett | gg37@rice.edu |
| Engineering and Computing | - | |
| Enrollment | Reghan Ward | rw83@rice.edu |
| F&CP | Sylvestre Cantu | scantu@rice.edu |
| Operations, Finance & Support | - | |
| Fondren Library | Keith Chapman | kochpman@rice.edu |
| General Counsel | Colleen Mosley-Hunt | cmosleyhunt@rice.edu |
| Global | Meredith Bonner | meredith.bonner@rice.edu |
| Graduates & Postdocs | Elizabeth Tippee | elizabeth.tippee@rice.edu |
| Housing and Dining | Diana DeSantiago | desantiago@rice.edu |
| Humanities and Arts | - | |
| Information Technology | Nicole James | nicole.james@rice.edu |
| Investments | Kristen Wilbanks | kristen.wilbanks@rice.edu |
| Kinder Institute | Lena McCarver | lena.mccarver@rice.edu |
| Moody Center | Joel Thompson | jpt4@rice.edu |
| Music | Jennifer Overton | overton@rice.edu |
| Natural Sciences | Karl Ecklund | karl.ecklund@rice.edu |
| President | Ryan Kirksey | rkirksey@rice.edu |
| Provost | - | |
| Public Affairs | Kim Lawrence, Hollie Evans | klawrenc@rice.edu, hollie.evans@rice.edu |
| Research | Patricia Stepp | patricia.stepp@rice.edu |
| Social Sciences | Abbey Godley | agodley@rice.edu |