Talk to me about: Alternative Spring Break, Civic Immersion, Gulf Scholars Program, America Reads
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: LatinX Latin American Studies
Residential College: Martel College
Hello, my name is José, and I am pursuing a major in biochemistry on the pre-med track. My journey with the CCL began before I even started classes, through the Civic Immersion program. This early exposure to the diverse and complex issues that our local community faces was very eye-opening and enriching. It strengthened my desire to pursue meaningful, hands-on experiences in civic engagement and community service throughout my time at Rice.
Building on this foundation, I took on the role of site leader for Civic Immersion, where I helped guide incoming students through their introduction to civic responsibility and community work. I later had the privilege of planning an Alternative Spring Break program that focused on addressing educational inequalities within the Latine community. This experience gave me invaluable insights into the systemic barriers to education and allowed me to collaborate with peers and community partners to create impactful service-learning initiatives. Now, as a CCL ambassador, my mission is to make sure that every student feels a sense of belonging and realizes that there is a place for them within CCL. Whether they’re interested in community advocacy, public health, education, or literally any other area, I want to help students find opportunities that align with their passions and to feel confident that they can contribute meaningfully, regardless of their background or experience.