WElcome Class of 2025!

Welcome to the Center for Civic Leadership!

The Center for Civic Leadership (CCL) creates opportunities for students to engage in social issues with partners in the Houston community and beyond. Check out some of our programs below and upcoming events on the "Calendar" tab!

"Participating in a Houston Action Research Team (HART) allowed me to apply civic principles to academic research, something that I feel is very important in our current climate. It allowed me to gain research experience, and has inspired me to pursue elections research during my time at Rice."

~ Chidimma Alilonu, Wiess College Class of 2023

"My Alternative Spring Break (ASB) was the first experience I've had at Rice that tied in the pursuit of equity with health. We learned about how housing discrimination impacts human health while doing cost analysis for Avenue CDC, a Houston nonprofit building affordable housing. ASB helped me redefine my approach towards medicine and further center equity in my extracurricular pursuits.

~ Sanchu Raghuvir, Sid Richardson College Class of 2022

"I helped design and implement a diabetes-focused health education curriculum for elementary school-aged students through the Rich Family Endowment (RFE). This experience helped me confirm a very strong interest I had in health education— something that I hope to incorporate in big ways into my future career as a physician and advocate for health equity."

~ Esteban Pantoja, Duncan College Class of 2023

Houston Policy Challenge (HPC) gave me an opportunity to explore new issue areas and learn, it also taught me how to craft effective and pursuasive policy proposals. I also got to practice presenting to stakeholders and was able to build new relationships with my fellow students through the teamwork required by HPC.

~ Lila Greiner, Will Rice College Class of 2022

"My engagement with Leadership Rice Mentor Experience (LRME) could not have been more rewarding. Through my internship site, I was able to define my personal values which have dictated several professional and personal decisions since. Through my participation, I have also solidified my upcoming career path, taking all that I have learned from my internship site to best form a social impact organization in the future."

~ Christa Westheimer, McMurtry College Class of 2023

Rice Engagement & Academic Leadership Planning

Start your civic journey with REAL planning! REAL planning is a process of reflection and identifying your values and goals to work towards programs, fellowships, and careers. Join our Canvas page to get started!