by Lily Harvey
Posse
In 1989, Deborah Bial founded “The Posse Foundation,” a nonprofit that helps support young leaders from diverse backgrounds. Posse identifies students at public schools who may be missed by traditional admissions criteria but can excel at competitive institutions. It welcomes a “posse” of ten peers to attend the same university, covering their tuition and preparing them for success with pre-collegiate workshops, career programming, and support throughout their time in college. In 2010, the organization was awarded a portion of Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize for helping students succeed and building a more diverse workforce.
Rice University was the second college to organize a Posse program on campus. In 1994, the university welcomed its first posse of ten engineering students from high schools in New York. Though Posse no longer exists on campus, Rice continues to support new students through efforts like RISE and RESP.
RISE
RISE, which stands for Responsibility, Inclusion, and Student Empowerment, welcomes new students interested in humanities, social science, business, and architecture to campus early for a two-week immersive program. During this time, they participate in academic seminars, student life workshops, and bonding events and meet with key leaders across Houston. According to students, participating in this program helps alleviate their fears surrounding college and provides them with support.
RESP
RESP (Rice Emerging Scholars Program) is a six-week summer program for STEM students from under-resourced high schools. During this time, students complete introductory STEM coursework in engineering, natural sciences, and computer science taught by Rice faculty and alumni. They are also provided with a sense of community and one-on-one advising and mentorship that continues through the school year. Once on campus, the Society for Professional Hispanic Engineers, Latin Business Student Association, Latinx Graduate Student Association, and Latin American Graduate Student Association provide community and professional opportunities to Latinx undergraduates, graduates, and MBA students at the university.
SHPE (Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers)
In 1989, in an effort to improve the representation of Latinx students in STEM fields, Dr. Richard Tapia and John Rodriguez ‘92 founded a chapter of the Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES) at Rice. The organization began small, averaging around six members per year until the summer of 1994, when students Griselda Mani, Mike Fuentes, and Marco Leal revived the organization and doubled its membership. A few years later, in 1997, the organization shifted, merging with the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) to bring more opportunities to students.
Rice’s Society for Professional Hispanic Engineers (SHPE) works to increase opportunities for Latinx individuals in STEM fields by providing students with social events, mentorship opportunities, and professional networking. Over the years, Rice’s chapter of SHPE has received countless leadership and conference awards.
Rice’s chapter of SHPE has hosted various social events, from study breaks and trivia nights to carne asadas and end-of-year galas. In addition to building community, the organization also helps students develop professionally through yearlong opportunities like its Sub-Regional Retreat and National Convention.
SHPE National Convention
Every year, SHPE hosts the largest gathering of Hispanic STEM professionals in the country. Hundreds of top companies, schools, and research organizations gather for a multi-day conference. Students participate in networking events, presentations, and panels throughout the conference. This conference helps connect students to jobs, interviews, and leadership opportunities in STEM companies, many of which hire talented STEM students on the spot. In preparation for the convention, Rice’s chapter of SHPE hosts a Sub-Regional Retreat, inviting local Texas universities, students, faculty, and alumni to campus for interview preparation, resume reviews, mock interviews, and networking.
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