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© 2026 Leading Owls Podcast
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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!
51 Episodes
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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, Co-Social Chair of the Black Business Student Association, and VP of Parents in Business. Plus much more! From leading one of the largest ETA Conferences in the state — bringing together more than 450 attendees — to mentoring prospective students and un...
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 drew her into leadership from the very beginning of her Rice journey, including her roles as Brown College Freshman Representative and Student Association New Student Representative. She reflects on how Rice’s culture of openness and collaboration has shaped the kind of lead...
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 leadership started at a young age, why entrepreneurship has always felt natural to her, and what drew her to get involved in leadership opportunities as soon as she arrived on campus. From participating in first-year programs to launching creative side projects like custom 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 jump into leadership early in her Rice journey and how her passion for equity and access is shaping the projects she’s working on—particularly efforts to make academic resources more accessible for FGLI and low-income students. Throughout the conversation, Maria reflec...
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 American government-appointed official in California—and in U.S. history, representing more than 850,000 students with disabilities statewide. Her early work in policy and advocacy has already contributed to six bills signed into law and reached hundreds...
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 American government-appointed official in California—and in U.S. history, representing more than 850,000 students with disabilities statewide. Her early work in policy and advocacy has already contributed to six bills signed into law and reached hundreds of thousands o...
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 deliver programs that empower Rice students to grow as leaders—no matter where they start. From overseeing flagship programs like Catalyst to supporting hundreds of students and professionals in their development journeys, Gary has seen leadership take shape in many for...
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 leading community outreach with Rice360 and conducting research at the BRC, Eman shares how each role has shaped her leadership journey. She takes us inside the excitement (and challenges!) of planning O-Week, what students might not realize goes on behind the s...
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 Momentum: How the Best Coaches and Leaders Build a Fire from a Single Spark. If you are interested in increased motivation and momentum in your life, this episode is a must listen. Bernie unpacks what momentum really means for leaders and teams—how to spark it, s...
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!), Aislinn has made the most of her Rice experience by diving headfirst into nearly every corner of campus life. We talk about what it’s really like to get involved at Rice, how to find your place in the college system, and how she balances everything from research...
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 Associate Justice to leading as the Arts & Wellness Coordinator and Jones Pit Crew member, her journey is all about showing up for her college—and finding joy in the process. She shares what inspired her to take on the challenge of O-Week coordination, how ...
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, Princess shares how her leadership has evolved and how her diverse involvements at Rice—from cheerleading to mentoring and volunteering—inform her work today. Princess takes us behind the scenes of O-Week preparation, revealing surprising moments and lessons learned al...
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 President, and Pit Crew Captain, to leading the Associates Committee and getting involved in everything from Pancakes for Parkinson’s to Women in Mathematics, Audrey has built a legacy of leadership that’s grounded in care, connection, and community. She shares what d...
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 in scientific research at both the Bonner Nuclear Lab and the Rice Space Institute, Arturo shares how his experiences in the lab have shaped his approach to teamwork, communication, and leading with empathy. We talk about his vision for a meaningful and inclusi...
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 President and helping select Resident Fellows, Yazmine shares how her leadership journey has evolved—and what continues to drive her. We talk about what it takes to create an unforgettable O-Week experience, her goals for student government, and how she balances it ...
🎙️ 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 many areas of campus life, from student leadership to leading the MOB to theater production as an independent student lighting designer and operator. In this episode, we dive into what it takes to plan an unforgettable Hanszen O-Week, explore the inspira...
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 Committee Co-Head, RPC College Rep, and SER Research Scholar. Kaitlyn shares her journey from first-year student to leading one of the most exciting weeks at Rice, how she’s bringing her vision to O-Week while honoring Duncan’s traditions, and the impact the Doerr Ins...
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 Cultural Committee Head, and he’s also involved in Rice Men’s Club Volleyball, the Rice Filipino Student Association, and the Rice Partnership for the Advancement and Immersion of Refugees (PAIR). In this episode, Carlos takes us behind the scenes of plannin...
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 training of professional coaches and facilitating programs designed to help students grow into confident and capable leaders. In this episode, Stephanie gives us an inside look at what makes Doerr programs so unique, how they equip students with real-world l...
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 talk about exciting initiatives happening at Baker, how college government actually works behind...
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