For Rice's Next Generation of Leaders
A year-long leadership experience built specifically for first-years—the deepest way to begin your Rice leadership journey alongside a cohort of peers who are ready to lead now.
What you will gain:
This immersive program allows you to deepen your skills, practice leadership in multiple contexts, and grow alongside a peer cohort committed to making an impact. As a part of this cohort, you will spend your first year at Rice completing the following programs alongside your peers:
- Synthesis Group Coaching Work through your first year alongside a small group of peers and a coach—setting real goals and actually achieving them together.
- Activation Coaching Three one-on-one sessions with your own leadership coach to figure out who you are as a leader and what you want to build at Rice.
- Two Catalyst Workshops Hands-on workshops on practical skills you can put to work immediately across everything Rice throws at you.
- Peer Cohort The students in this program show up on day one ready to jump in. These are the relationships you'll carry through four years at Rice and beyond.
- Exclusive Doerr Experiences Front-row access to events and guidance from Doerr Institute experts—available to cohort members only.
Fall 2026 Cohort Dates:
Leading as a First-Year – Cohort #1
- Tuesday, September 22nd, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 6th, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 20th, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 19th, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Leading as a First-Year – Cohort #2
- Wednesday, September 23rd, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 7th, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 21st, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 20th, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Leading as a First-Year – Cohort #3
- Thursday, October 1st, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, October 15th, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, October 29th, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, January 14th, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Fall 2026 Applications are Open
Applications are now open for Doerr Institute fall semester programs. The deadline to apply is Friday, September 4th.
Apply early!
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible. Once all available spots in the cohort have been filled, applications will close.
How to Apply
This cohort is an application-based program. Your answers to the following questions will be blind reviewed by a small team, and 15 participants will be extended an offer to join the cohort. Please take 10-15 minutes to thoughtfully answer the questions below. Each response should be approximately 75-150 words.
- What are your beliefs about effective leadership?
- What are your aspirations as a leader?
- How do you envision yourself leading as a first-year at Rice?
- What do you hope to gain by participating in this cohort?
Questions? Contact leadership@rice.edu