Overview of REA

Rice Engineering Alumni (https://www.riceengineeringalumni.org) is the alumni organization of the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing at Rice University.  Our mission is to support, honor, and connect Rice engineers before and after graduation. We pursue this goal by recognizing outstanding achievements, supporting students, and facilitating interactions among alumni, students, faculty, and staff.  Founded in 1938, REA is Rice’s oldest alumni organization and has approximately 18,000 living members. 

Every Rice alumnus who has a degree from one of the departments of the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing (https://engineering.rice.edu) is a member of REA, regardless of their profession or career since graduation.  The degree-granting departments are:

  • Bioengineering

  • Computer Science

  • Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

  • Electrical & Computer Engineering

  • Civil & Environmental Engineering

  • Materials Science & NanoEngineering

  • Computational Applied Mathematics

  • Mechanical Engineering & Operations Research (formerly CAAM or Mathematical Sciences)

  • Statistics

  • Rice Center for Engineering Leadership

Volunteer Roles

There are several opportunities to volunteer with REA. For individuals interested in joining the Board of Directors, we encourage first spending about a year volunteering with one or more standing committees. While not mandatory, this experience offers valuable insight into board operations and helps assess readiness for a three-year board term. Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the calendar year.

A. Board of Directors

The REA Board of Directors is an all-volunteer body of approximately 20 alumni serving staggered three-year terms. Representatives from the School of Engineering and Computing, Rice’s Office of Alumni Relations, and other university departments participate in Board meetings and support the work of the Board. For a current roster of the Board of Directors, please visit: https://www.riceengineeringalumni.org/about

As a working board rather than a governing board, directors actively participate in implementing REA’s activities and programs. This hands-on approach differs from boards that focus solely on governance. To carry out REA’s mission, the Board consists of alumni who lead by example, enthusiastically advocate for and support REA activities, and serve as faithful ambassadors for REA and the School of Engineering and Computing.

Principal Board Responsibilities:

  • Executing key REA programs and activities

  • Establishing organizational policies and guidelines

  • Setting the strategic plan and programmatic direction

  • Establishing a budget and allocating program funding

  • Serving as ambassadors for Rice Engineering to alumni and professional communities

Board Member Expectations:

Attend three principal Board meetings (Kickoff, Fall, and Spring) in person, and attend additional meetings by video conference. 

  • As with other professional commitments, REA Directors commit to attend board meetings as scheduled, subject only to unusual or unforeseeable emergencies which should be discussed in advance with the REA President. 

  • While partial reimbursements may occasionally be available, Directors should assume that travel to board meetings will be largely at their own expense.

Serve on REA committees(usually two) with an aspiration to eventually lead a committee

Attend principal REA events:

  • All Directors attend the Alumni Honors Presentation and REA/SOE End-of-Year Picnic when held in conjunction with principal board meetings.

  • Directors should also make an effort to attend REA, School of Engineering and Computing, and Rice events in their areas, and serve as ambassadors for REA and the School of Engineering and Computing in their communities.

Be an REA Sponsor at a meaningful level.

  • Serving as a Director of REA includes a commitment to support REA financially, in addition to any support that the Director may give to other units of Rice

  • Each Director’s REA Sponsorship should be personally meaningful, rather than merely obligatory. While there is no explicitly defined giving level, Directors are encouraged to consider a contribution starting at $150 annually, with past suggested contributions ranging from $50 to $2,500

  • Gift amounts are treated confidentially

  • Directors are asked to make their Sponsorship gifts at the beginning of each board year (i.e. in July or August).]

These responsibilities require mature judgment, scheduling and financial flexibility, and the ability to influence and empower others. Directors must be able to perform at this executive level as part of a team. Interested individuals should honestly assess their ability to meet these expectations before applying. Those who feel they may not have sufficient flexibility or resources are encouraged to begin as Committee Volunteers.

B. Standing Committees

Standing committees form the operational foundation of REA. Each committee consists of 5-10 alumni, including two or more members of the Board of Directors. These committees receive support from Rice’s Alumni and Development staff to plan, budget, and execute programs advancing REA’s mission. Current standing committees include:

1. Education and Mentoring 

  • Organizes “Engineer Your Career” panel and similar events where alumni share career expertise with students

2. Student Grants & Awards

  • Manages the Student Project Grant Program

  • Oversees student scholarship programs

  • Coordinates the REA/SOE Spring Awards Celebration

3. Summer Engineering Experience 

  • Works with alumni and corporations across the country to help early-stage Rice Engineering students prepare for and obtain their first engineering experience in a professional work environment. 

  • Focuses on students from under-resourced high schools, particularly low-income and first-generation students. 

  • Program details available at: https://www.riceengineeringalumni.org/rea-summer-engineering-experience

4.     Alumni Outreach

  • This committee manages REA’s programs around the country connecting alumni with each other and the school. Principal programs include:

  • Events related to visits by the Dean of Engineering or other Rice leadership to cities outside Houston

  • Other events and programs for Rice Engineering Alumni around the country, driven by opportunities and the initiative of committee members

5.     Alumni Honors

  • Collaborates with the Dean’s office to solicit nominations for and select recipients of the School of Engineering’s principal alumni awards:

    • Distinguished Service Medal

    • Distinguished Engineering Alumnus

    • Outstanding Engineering Alumnus

    • Outstanding Young Engineering Alumnus

  • Spearheads other recognition efforts (e.g. memorial resolutions) 

6.     Sponsorship

  • Plans programs to drive the financial support which funds REA programs

  • Organizes the marketing and support of the 24 Hour Challenge

  • Works with SOE staff to produce the REA Annual Report

7.     Communications

  • Maintains REA’s website and social media presence

  • Manages communications with alumni, faculty, staff, and students

8.     Board Governance

  • Reviews and recommends updates to bylaws and governance policies

  • Manages board recruitment and the application process

  • Conducts annual board self-assessment 

Time and Financial Commitment Summary

*Board duties are in addition to a Director’s Standing Committee responsibilities.