Rocio Vasquez, Visual Artist + Live Potrait Illustrator Check her out >
New Families and Parents Reception
Welcome to the Rice Family!
Starting college is a milestone moment filled with excitement, (Rice) pride, and immense change. As your student takes their next big step into the School of Humanities and Arts, we acknowledge that you–their families and friends–are also stepping into a vibrant new community alongside them.
Join us for Lemonade & Letters, a special reception created to celebrate this newfound family, answer any questions you might have, and ensure you feel confident and supported going into the academic year.
What to Expect
- Academic Pathways & Student Support: Attend a dedicated information session on how the School of Humanities and Arts enhances your student's academic journey. Discover interdisciplinary pathways, undergraduate research and fellowship opportunities, and career development resources.
- Community Connection & Resources: Meet and mingle with fellow parents, family members, friends, faculty, and campus leaders over hors’ d'oeuvres. You'll gather essential campus resources, learn how to stay engaged throughout the year, and build a lasting network of support.
- Letters of Encouragement: Take a moment during the reception to write a personal "Letter from Home" to your student, which we will deliver during their first month on campus to offer ongoing encouragement following the first few weeks of classes.
Date: Sunday, August 16th
Location: Sarofim Hall – There will be a shuttle for pick-up at Rice Memorial Center.
Academic Orientation Sessions
Whether you’re declaring a major or taking a single elective, our courses do more than fill a requirement—they train you to ask big questions, navigate complex problems, and communicate with authority. Alongside world-class faculty, creative practitioners, and published scholars, you’ll master the essential skills every industry demands: critical reasoning, creative risk-taking, and decisive problem-solving.
The following Humanities and Arts faculty will be present during these academic sessions to talk more about the majors, minors, and courses offered through their department, center, or program. Feel free to reach out afterwards with any questions you might have!
Session Speakers
Nicole Waligora-Davis, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs and Special Projects
Session Topic: School of Humanities and Arts Overview
Matty Hemming, Assistant Professor, English and Creative Writing
Session Topic: Medical Humanities
Ian Schimmel, Associate Teaching Professor, Department of English and Creative Writing
Session Topic: English & Creative Writing
Weston Twardowski,Associate Director, Center for Environmental Studies
Session Topic: Environmental Studies
Michael Dango, Associate Professor, Department of English and Creative Writing and Director of Media Studies
Session Topic: Media Studies
Theresa Bruno Niño, , Lecturer, Department of Philosophy
Session Topic: Politics, Law, and Social Thought (PLST)
Robert Howell, Department Chair of Philosophy
Session Topic: Ethics of Ai
Tabea Linhard, Faculty Associate Director, Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality
Session Topic: Big Questions Courses
Academic Fair
Academic Fair is an opportunity for you to meet the faculty, staff and student leaders responsible for teaching, guiding, and supporting you through the next four years. Don’t be afraid to reach out, get names and contact information, or schedule time to meet again. This moment is for you!
Represented Departments, Centers, and Programs
- School of Humanities and Arts
- Theatre Program
- Department of English and Creative Writing
- Program in Politics, Law and Social Thought 5 Department of Art History
- Program in Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations
- Department of Art
- Program in Media Studies
- Department of Medieval and Early Modern Studies
- Department of Religion
- Department of History
- Center for Jewish Studies
- Program in Environmental Studies
- Medical Humanities Program
- Program Science and Technology Studies
- Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (MCLLC)
- MCLLC - Classical Studies, European Studies
- MCLLC - French Studies, German Studies
- MCLLC Latin American Studies, and Spanish and 47 Portuguese
- Department of Transnational Asian Studies (TSA)
- TSA - Asian Languages Concentration
- Center for Languages and Intercultural Communication/Rice in Country
- Humanities Research Center
- Center for the Study of Women, Gender, and Sexuality
- Department of Philosophy
Research & Course Features
Learn how first-years get involved in faculty research, independent projects, and creative work from day one — no lab coat required.
Hedge Summer Internship Fund
The HEDGE Summer Internship Fund (Humanities Empowering Development for post-Graduation Employment) enables Rice undergraduate students to apply humanities skills and gain professional experience in law, health, business, journalism, the creative arts and other exciting career fields. Funding will vary depending on an internship’s duration, location, and intensity. Learn More >
Moody Undergraduate Research Fellowship
The School of Humanities and Arts invites humanities majors to join our cohort of fellows dedicated to pursuing critical humanities-based research and innovative creative work. These competitive fellowships offer humanities majors the tools, resources, and opportunities to experience and conduct humanities research in a wide array of disciplinary and interdisciplinary pursuits. Learn More >
Meet the current Moody Fellows
Big Questions Courses
Taught by some of our most passionate and imaginative teachers, our Big Questions courses share a common goal: inviting all Rice students to experience how humanistic and artistic inquiry can help make sense of our world and the daily dilemmas we face. Learn More >
Fall 2026 Big Questions courses:
- Can You Take a Joke: The How and Why of Political Humor
- What is a Border? And Who Crosses It?
The School of Humanities and Arts Leadership Team
Meet the faculty, Humanities and Arts students, and staff who'll be with you from your first day through your first year! Feel free to reach out to anyone of us with questions or concerns throughout the year.
School of Humanities and Arts Central Office Team >
Weeks of Welcome Events
Here’s a look at everything happening in the weeks after move-in. We hope you’ll join us!
Pop-Up w/SoHA
Your first week of classes is on us! Stop by the Humanities courtyard to take some first-week flicks and crab a sweet treat on your way to the next class. Event Information >
The Long Table
The School of Humanities and Arts invites all school majors to an intimate dining experience with faculty, staff, and fellow students. Enjoy delicious food from around the world and a live portrait artist (see below)! Event Information >
Discover the Humanities & Arts Experience
What Makes Humanities & Arts different?
Small seminars and direct faculty access
