Momentous Momentum
Since unveiling the Momentous Strategic Plan in late 2024, Rice University has taken confident steps toward its ambitious 10-year vision. With progress already underway across campus life, enrollment growth, infrastructure, and strategic leadership, the plan is quickly moving from promise to reality. We track Momentous through high-level metrics—reach, engagement, visibility, strategic progress, and stakeholder feedback—to show how our work advances the plan's priorities. What follows is a look at the key milestones that are already shaping Rice’s next chapter.
Our Progress
In Fall 2024, we launched Momentous: Personalized Scale for Global Impact — an ambitious strategic plan to guide Rice University over the next decade into a new era of excellence, access and innovation. Today, we are pleased to share that we are not only on track with our goals put forth in the plan but are accelerating and exceeding. Thanks to the dedication, creativity and energy of our campus community, we are already seeing signs of progress.
This plan was never intended to sit on a shelf. It is a living blueprint — one built on the core belief that Rice can grow thoughtfully while remaining true to its distinctive culture and values. As you’ll see in the information that follows, we’ve taken meaningful steps to accomplish this. We’ve strengthened our infrastructure, expanded student capacity and deepened support systems, ensuring that our growth is guided by data, design and purpose.
Importantly, this progress reflects more than just construction projects or policy shifts. It represents a shared commitment across our faculty, staff, students, alumni and leadership to imagine boldly and act decisively. Whether it’s the groundbreaking of new campus facilities, the expansion of our student body and academic offerings, or the creation of systems to ensure long-term success, we are building a stronger Rice for generations to come.
As we move forward, we do so with humility and confidence — aware of the challenges ahead but inspired by what we’ve already accomplished together. Thank you for your continued support, partnership and belief in what Rice can achieve. We look forward to the work ahead and to continuing this momentous journey with all of you.
Reginald DesRoches, President
Amy Dittmar, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
We Want to Hear From You
Momentous touches all aspects of the university and campus, and we want it to reflect the voices and needs of the entire Rice community. Please use this form to share feedback or questions about the plan. Every submission is reviewed by staff in the Office of the Provost and helps us make Momentous more effective and transparent for everyone at Rice.
Advance Undergraduate Education
- Rice University announced its 2026-27 undergraduate tuition alongside a reaffirmed commitment to expanding access to a Rice education through The Rice Investment. By continuing to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need and maintaining policies designed to reduce financial barriers, the university aims to ensure that talented students from a wide range of backgrounds can attend and thrive at Rice. The announcement underscores Rice’s ongoing focus on access, affordability, and opportunity in undergraduate education.
- Nine Rice University students in the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship program presented their summer research at the Southeast Regional Conference, sharing projects with peers and scholars from across the region. The experience gave students the opportunity to showcase their work, engage with emerging scholars, and explore pathways to graduate study and academic careers. Programs like Mellon Mays highlight how Rice undergraduates gain early access to meaningful research experiences and national scholarly communities.
- Rice University’s Virani Undergraduate School of Business has launched a new marketing concentration within its undergraduate business major, giving students expanded options to tailor their studies to career interests. The concentration combines analytical thinking with real-world applications, preparing students for roles in areas such as product and brand management, digital marketing, consulting and entrepreneurship. The expansion reflects Rice’s commitment to offering rigorous, relevant degrees that equip graduates with skills for today’s data-driven, consumer-focused economy.
Advance Graduate Education
- Rice University’s online graduate programs climbed in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, with major gains across engineering, computing and business programs. Leading the rise, Rice’s Online Master of Computer Science program jumped to No. 3 nationally, highlighting the university’s growing reputation for delivering rigorous, high-impact education in flexible formats. The rankings reflect Rice’s expanding visibility on the national stage and its commitment to preparing professionals to lead and innovate in a rapidly evolving global economy.
- Rice University’s signature graduate recruitment event, Night at the Museum, brought nearly 700 prospective students and guests to campus to explore graduate programs across disciplines. The event connects future scholars with faculty, current students and program leaders while showcasing Rice’s research strengths and collaborative culture. As a cornerstone of Rice’s graduate recruitment efforts, Night at the Museum helps introduce prospective students to the opportunities and community that define graduate education at the university.
- Rice University welcomed internationally recognized conductor Cristian Măcelaru back to campus as a distinguished visiting artist at the Shepherd School of Music. During his residency, Măcelaru engaged with students through rehearsals, discussions and mentorship, offering firsthand insight into professional music-making at the highest level. Visits like this reflect Rice’s commitment through the Momentous strategic plan to bring distinguished artists and thought leaders to campus, enriching students' academic and creative experiences.
World-Class Research Enterprise
- At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Provost Amy Dittmar outlined a vision for a faster, more agile global research university that pairs world-class discovery with an exceptional teaching environment. She highlighted how universities like Rice University can accelerate research, strengthen international collaboration and translate knowledge into real-world impact. Her remarks underscored Rice’s ambition to advance both cutting-edge research and an outstanding educational experience.
- Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music has launched the Music, Mind and Body Lab, an interdisciplinary initiative exploring how music and creativity shape human cognition and well-being. Led by composer and professor Anthony Brandt, the lab brings together artists and scientists to study the connections between music, neuroscience and the medical humanities. By combining live performance with emerging brain-imaging technologies, the effort expands research on creativity, neuroplasticity and the ways artistic engagement influences the human mind.
- Rice University has been selected to lead a new U.S. Space Force Strategic Technology Institute focused on advancing research and innovation in space technologies. The institute will bring together academic, industry and government partners to develop next-generation capabilities that support national security and space exploration. The designation positions Rice University as a key hub for cutting-edge research and collaboration in the rapidly evolving space sector.
Build Thriving Urban Communities
- Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research has received a transformative $55 million gift from The Kinder Foundation, policymakers, and nonprofit leaders focused on early childhood development to exchange strategies and strengthen regional collaboration. The gathering reflects Rice’s commitment to supporting educational pathways that begin long before college.
- Rice University’s Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences open house welcomed families, teachers and students from across the Houston area for hands-on demonstrations exploring topics from moonquakes to Mars rovers. Faculty, graduate students and researchers led interactive exhibits designed to make complex scientific concepts accessible and spark curiosity among K–12 learners. The event, which drew more than 1,500 attendees, highlights Rice’s commitment to engaging the community and inspiring the next generation of scientists.
- Rice University’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies is expanding access to education through Lifelong University, a program that brings engaging courses and conversations with Rice scholars directly to retirement community residents. Developed in partnership with Belmont Village Senior Living, the initiative combines virtual instruction, group discussions and community-led activities to foster curiosity and connection among older adults. The program reflects Rice’s broader commitment to making learning accessible at every stage of life and strengthening ties between the university and the communities it serves.
Generate Sustainable Futures
- Researchers at Rice University’s WaTER Institute are leading an ambitious effort to reinvent household water and sanitation systems using modular technologies that can treat and recycle multiple wastewater streams within a home. Supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and developed with partners including Arizona State University, Clarkson University and Duke University, the project aims to create scalable systems that reduce water use and dependence on centralized infrastructure. By integrating advanced treatment technologies into field-ready systems, the research could expand access to safe sanitation and sustainable water management worldwide.
- Rice University researchers received the 2026 Hill Prize in Engineering for developing a new way to produce ammonia - a key ingredient in fertilizer - using light instead of the extremely energy-intensive industrial process used today. Their work aims to create cleaner, more efficient methods for making ammonia, which is essential for global agriculture and is also being explored as a future fuel and energy carrier. The prize will support the team as they continue advancing this light-driven technology and move toward practical, real-world applications.
- Rice University and Lehigh University are partnering with global industry leaders through the Consortium for Enhancing Resilience and Catastrophe Modeling (CERCat) to advance how scientists and policymakers predict and respond to disasters. The collaboration brings together researchers, insurers, engineers and technology experts to develop next-generation models that better estimate the risks and impacts of hazards such as hurricanes, wildfires and other extreme events. By combining academic research with real-world industry data, the effort aims to improve planning, resilience and recovery for communities and critical infrastructure.
Lead Innovations in Health
- Rice University will host the Scientia/De Lange Conference XIV: Brains in Society, bringing leading scholars, policymakers and practitioners together to explore how neuroscience intersects with public life and society. The upcoming event builds on the momentum of the Rice Brain Institute, announced in 2025, and Rice’s role in launching the Global Brain Economy Initiative at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. Together, these efforts highlight Rice’s growing leadership in advancing neuroscience research and connecting brain science to global policy and societal challenges.
- Rice University’s SynthX Center is leading an $18 million research effort to transform how scientists image and understand the lymphatic system. The project brings together researchers and partners to develop advanced technologies that could significantly improve the diagnosis and treatment of diseases linked to lymphatic dysfunction. The initiative highlights Rice’s leadership in biomedical innovation and advances the university’s Momentous priority of leading breakthroughs in health.
- Rice University and Houston Methodist have awarded new seed grants through the Center for Human Performance to support collaborative research projects focused on health, performance and human resilience. The grants bring together interdisciplinary teams to explore topics ranging from physiology and movement to technologies that improve human health and well-being. The initiative reflects Rice’s commitment to advancing health and human performance research as part of the university’s priorities.
Responsible AI
- Rice University has awarded 42 faculty grants to support projects that explore how artificial intelligence can be used responsibly in teaching, research and course design. The initiative encourages faculty across disciplines to experiment with AI tools, develop new curriculum and examine the technology’s ethical and societal implications. By investing in these projects, Rice is helping faculty and students engage with AI thoughtfully while advancing innovation in the classroom and beyond.
- Rice University’s Ken Kennedy Institute hosted the 19th annual Energy HPC & AI Conference, bringing nearly 600 leaders from industry, academia and national labs together to explore how advanced computing and artificial intelligence are shaping the future of the energy sector. The conference highlighted how high-performance computing and AI are increasingly essential for energy discovery, production and the global energy transition. It also created opportunities for graduate students to present research and connect with industry partners, helping prepare the next generation of experts working at the intersection of energy and advanced computing.
- Artists, scholars and technologists gathered at Rice University’s Moody Center for the Arts for the “Imaging After Photography” symposium, exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming image-making and visual culture. Through panels and discussions, participants examined how generative tools are reshaping creativity, authorship and the meaning of images in a digital age. The event fostered interdisciplinary dialogue between artists, researchers and the public about the opportunities and ethical questions emerging as AI reshapes visual media.
Empowered Campus Culture
- Rice University’s Division of Operations, Finance & Support recognized dozens of staff members with the Above and Beyond Award, honoring employees who take on extra responsibilities and demonstrate exceptional service to the campus community. The recognition highlights the dedication, teamwork and commitment that staff bring to supporting the university’s mission each day. Programs like this help foster a culture where employees feel valued and appreciated for the impact of their work.
- Rice University’s Division of Operations, Finance & Support highlighted the rollout of new electric shuttle busesthat are now transporting students, faculty and staff around campus. The quieter, fully electric vehicles help reduce emissions while maintaining convenient transportation between key campus locations. The shift to electric shuttles reflects Rice’s broader efforts to improve campus sustainability and modernize transportation infrastructure.
- Rice University’s Building Momentum Together (BMT) initiative is working to improve university operations by modernizing systems, simplifying processes and strengthening support for faculty and staff. The effort focuses on areas such as research administration, purchasing, human resources and technology to reduce administrative hurdles and make everyday work more efficient. By replacing outdated processes with smarter tools and clearer workflows, the initiative aims to make it easier for the Rice community to focus on teaching, research and service.
Behind the process
Rice President Reginald DesRoches stated in his inaugural address that his vision for the university is that Rice be a premier research university with much greater visibility and with graduate programs of the same distinction as the university's undergraduate program, all while maintaining Rice's commitment to excellence in undergraduate education and the values of diversity, equity and inclusion.
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Organize Planning Process and Leadership
The journey for this new plan began more than a year ago with the culmination of the University’s previous long-term strategic plan. The process has been thorough, with research gathered from a wide range of stakeholders. This plan comes directly from our community.
View Planning Site -
Gather Stakeholder Feedback
Between January and April, 32 focus groups were held convened around a specific topic, including research, infrastructure, DEI and the Rice experience.
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Draft, Refine, Then Finalize the Plan
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Develop Implementation Plan
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Official Launch
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President DesRoches and Provost Dittmar embarked on a tour of eight cities and each of the schools to connect with the broader Rice community and share our Momentous vision.
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Program manager Brittni MacLeod was hired to lead the implementation, measurement, and reporting of the strategic plan's objectives and key results. MacLeod conducted 39 meetings with individuals assigned to own various components of Momentous.
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Momentous OKR reporting is underway and we are testing a strategic plan management tool
As program manager in the Office of the Provost, MacLeod leads the implementation of Rice University’s Momentous strategic plan, coordinating initiatives that span academic affairs, research, undergraduate and graduate education, student support and more.
MacLeod works closely with senior leadership, initiative owners and campus partners to build the structures, processes and tracking tools needed to translate the university’s strategic vision into measurable action. She provides project management, prioritization frameworks and strategic counsel to ensure progress across university-wide goals.
Bringing Momentous to Life
The people across our Rice community who turn big goals into real progress are the heart of Momentous. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and our valued partners all make the plan’s vision more tangible every day. We’re proud to recognize their creativity, dedication, and collaboration in advancing Rice’s vision and making a meaningful impact on campus, in Houston and around the world.