From the Dean
As we look to the future and how we will contribute to the thriving Houston community of tomorrow, we do so with our vision trained on becoming the pacesetter for continuing and professional education in the nation. The Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies will leverage the deep resources of Rice University with the expertise and drive of our community partners, instructors, staff and students to realize this vision.
We will utilize the strengths of Rice Continuing Studies to help build our dynamic city toward its full potential. Over nearly six decades, our school has grown in response to our community’s needs, with deep roots in education, nonprofit service, career development and lifelong learning. These homegrown initiatives make us uniquely positioned to address Houston’s most pressing needs—needs that, when met, will make our community thrive.
Within these initiatives, our objectives are focused through four strategic pillars that will drive progress: Leadership, Impact, Access and Culture. Maximizing these pillars within our service areas, fueled by Rice's resources and our community partners, will create transformative opportunities for Houston. Further, through our success in Houston, we will develop a model that can be scaled for the world.
Robert Bruce, Ph.D.
Dean, Rice’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies
Adjunct Professor of Humanities
Areas of Impact
The greater Houston area serves more than 1.3 million students enrolled in independent school districts and charter schools — a population greater than the total of eight states in the U.S. Our schools play a vital role in supporting the city's diverse and growing community, offering critical early childhood programs, K-12 education and pathways to postsecondary opportunities. These schools contribute to the local economy by preparing students for college and careers, which is essential for the city's long-term economic vitality and competitiveness.
By offering programs in the humanities, STEM, career and technical education, and dual-language immersion, our area schools help cultivate a skilled workforce that meets the demands of Houston's growing industries, such as healthcare, energy and technology. Beyond academic needs, schools also serve as vital community hubs, often providing resources like mental health services, food assistance and extracurricular programs.
The thriving Houston of tomorrow begins with strategically investing in these students and their educators today.
With more than 15 thousand nonprofits in the greater Houston area, it is imperative that these organizations receive training commensurate with the vital role they play in our community. They act as essential providers of services that support vulnerable populations, offering everything from food assistance and housing to mental health support. Many nonprofits in Houston also focus on education and workforce development, helping to build a skilled, resilient community. Additionally, organizations in the arts and culture sector enrich the city’s cultural life, making Houston a more vibrant and attractive place to live.
Nonprofits contribute significantly to our dynamic community, employing over 260,000 people in Houston alone and generating substantial revenue, supporting their operations and stimulating the local economy. Furthermore, these organizations play a key role in fostering civic engagement by offering volunteer opportunities, promoting charitable giving and strengthening social bonds across the diverse population of Houston. This engagement helps to build community resilience and fosters a sense of shared responsibility for the well-being of all residents.
Career development is essential to Houston's future as it helps build a skilled and adaptable workforce that can drive the city's economic growth. Houston is home to key industries like energy, healthcare, finance, technology and aerospace, all of which require a diverse range of skills and continuous innovation. Career development programs for both upskilling and reskilling enable residents to acquire industry-specific best and latest practices that meet these demands, helping them begin new careers and advance in current roles, all improving overall economic resilience.
Yet, there is much work to do in this space. Per Rice Professor Emeritus and Kinder Institute for Urban Research founding director Stephen Klineberg, “Where the city is failing most spectacularly is in its seeming inability to invest in its citizens, to expand significantly area residents’ access to high-quality lifelong education. These are the investments that will ultimately determine whether or not Houston is positioned for lasting success in today’s high-technology, knowledge-based, global economy” (Houston Chronicle 2023).
For our community to continue to attract industry and new Houstonians, and in preparation for the pending baby boomer labor cliff, we must invest in those who make Houston work.
Learning was never meant to be a stage of life but rather a way of life. We are meant to continually grow and evolve into the best version of ourselves through interdisciplinary and multi-motivational studies, meaning we should learn from a variety of fields and to the benefit of both professional and personal goals. In this holistic pursuit of enriching ourselves, we cumulatively enrich our community.
Through a lifelong learning approach, we develop a citizenry with adaptable skills, such as critical thinking, collaboration and communication, which are highly valuable in today’s interconnected and rapidly changing world. Lifelong learners more aptly work effectively across diverse teams and industries, contributing to economic growth and societal resilience. They more readily navigate the complexities of real-world problems by drawing connections between arts, humanities, sciences, languages, social sciences, economics and more. Lifelong learning promotes diversity, inclusivity and civility by encouraging individuals to embrace different perspectives and cultures, allowing us to work and live harmoniously toward common goals. Further, as people grow intellectually, they are more likely to appreciate and support others’ growth, creating a positive feedback loop that strengthens the entire community.
A whole-life interdisciplinary culture of education is vital to developing and maintaining a thriving community.
Strategic Plan Process
Work on Rice Continuing Studies’ new strategic plan began in 2023 with vision brainstorming exercises involving a variety of school stakeholders, including Rice leadership and Rice Continuing Studies’ advisory board members, staff, and our Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership advisors. The Rice Continuing Studies plan has been built with influence from and alignment with Rice’s new strategic plan, Momentous: Personalized Scale for Global Impact. Over 300 support objectives and measures helped shape the plan and form overarching pillars, goals, initiatives, tactical support projects and metrics. Rice Continuing Studies is an organization that continually responds to student, industry and community needs; thus, our strategic plan will evolve as our future unfolds.
Mission and Vision
Mission
The Rice University Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies provides access to degrees and programs that engage, educate and empower lifelong learners and communities.
Vision
The Rice University Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies will be the premier continuing and professional studies school, broadening access and advancing the social, educational and economic vitality of dynamic urban communities.
Strategic Pillars
- Leadership
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Embrace our position as a leader in continuing and professional studies
Rice is synonymous with leadership. We are an institution not where leaders are drawn but where they are made. Leadership, however, is not just a skill for boardrooms and C-suites. For Houston to be a thriving urban community, we must have leaders in classrooms and cubicles, shipping yards and shopping centers, kitchens and kiosks. Rice Continuing Studies extends the university’s legacy of cultivating leaders, fortifying students with the principles of responsibility, integrity, community, and excellence so they may lead in their careers, their community, their families and their own lives.
Goals
- Expand the Glasscock School's campus, city and national leadership in continuing and professional studies.
- Develop, pilot and bring to scale exemplary and innovative models of community education and engagement
Example(s): OpenRICE, Early Childhood Literacy Lab - Cultivate a proactive culture of ambassadorship among current and former lifelong learners to support both enrollment growth and student development
Example: Master of Liberal Studies, Master of Arts in Teaching - Provide leadership and participate in on-campus, regional and national associations, committees, and networks
Example: Industry Associations and Networking - Share best practices and innovation in continuing and professional studies
Example: Strategic publications and presentations
- Develop, pilot and bring to scale exemplary and innovative models of community education and engagement
- Develop leaders and champion leadership principles across the continuum of lifelong learning
- Facilitate student knowledge and opportunities to cultivate leadership
Example: College and Career Readiness, Urgent Issues Community Series - Grow Sector-Specific Executive Leadership Programs
Example: LINE, Early Literacy Leadership Academy - Expand enrollments through industry-leader partnerships
Examples: Professional and Corporate Programs, Nonprofit Leadership in Action - Create entry-level courses that build toward higher-level leadership certificates
Examples: Programs in Education, Nonprofit Service, Human Resources, Etc.
- Facilitate student knowledge and opportunities to cultivate leadership
Example Metrics
The measures of our success include:
- Number of new programs/courses with nontraditional or innovative models
- Number of former students in leadership roles/promoted
- % of programs/courses that include leadership principles
- Expand the Glasscock School's campus, city and national leadership in continuing and professional studies.
- Impact
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Elevate Houston as we empower individuals and organizations and advance thriving urban communities
On the cornerstone of one of Rice's first buildings was the phrase “Science in the Service of Society.” From its first days more than a century ago to today, the university has always existed to improve our world, and Rice Continuing Studies embodies that timeless and timely principle. We bring together the ageless values of academia with the innovative, agile approaches of a start-up organization, culminating in class-leading, personalized education opportunities that improve the lives and livelihoods of our students and equip Houston to be a thriving urban community today and into the future.
Goals
- Offer premier personal and professional development programs that transform individuals and communities
- Develop research-based offerings that provide expertise and insight into the urgent issues facing our community and world
Example: Urgent Issues Community Series, Urban Education Leadership - Expand pathways for new or minimally served audiences
Example: College and Career Readiness, PreCollege Programs - Collaborate with Rice Schools, Rice Research Institutes and Centers, and industry and community partners to build market-driven, career-advancement programs
Examples: Healthcare Professions, Customized Nonprofit Evaluation and Advancement
- Develop research-based offerings that provide expertise and insight into the urgent issues facing our community and world
- Measure the individual and community impact of continuing and professional education
- Develop and administer alumni and former student surveys that assess the importance/value of lifelong learning with quantitative and qualitative measures
Example: Demographic and Economic Growth Surveys - Develop a school-wide system for recruiting and evaluating faculty and instructors
Example: Center for Community Learning and Engagement, Master of Liberal Studies - Research best practices and implement a data-driven assessment plan
Example: Customized Nonprofit Evaluation and Advancement
- Develop and administer alumni and former student surveys that assess the importance/value of lifelong learning with quantitative and qualitative measures
Example Metrics
The measures of our success include:
- % of positive course and instructor evaluations
- Number of Greater Houston areas served
- Number of collaborative industry and community-driven programs
- Offer premier personal and professional development programs that transform individuals and communities
- Access
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Extend Rice research, teaching and resources through open access and program innovation
Is it possible to be elite without being elitist? Rice Continuing Studies answers that question on behalf of the university, long serving as the open door to the Rice experience. As our 21st-century world rapidly evolves along with the needs of today’s lifelong learner, so must Rice Continuing Studies. We will not passively welcome, but instead actively invite, engage and guide individuals into Rice’s transformational opportunities through programs that are accessible, affordable and obtainable.
Goals
- Create personalized paths of entry that account for student financial and geographic circumstances
- Seek sources of sponsorship and philanthropic funding and significantly grow Glasscock scholarship opportunities
Example: Programs in Education, Nonprofit Service, Human Resources, Etc. - Attract talented graduate and professional students and implement flexible admissions pathways for nontraditional students
Example: Stackable Graduate Certificates - Expand inclusivity, recognition, and benefits for nontraditional students and learners
Example: ESL students, Stackable Graduate Certificates - Develop sustainability models for mission-focused programs
Example: Early Childhood Literacy Lab, LINE
- Seek sources of sponsorship and philanthropic funding and significantly grow Glasscock scholarship opportunities
- Provide innovative and flexible learning opportunities
- Build lifelong learning and alumni membership models
Example: Membership Models - Ensure flexible program and course delivery options
Example: On-campus, On-demand, Digital and Online innovation - Collaborate with Rice units to pilot technology-enhanced classrooms and digital approaches
Example: University-based Innovations - Expand credit and non-credit market-driven, stackable certificates and degrees
Example: Dual-Credit Graduate Certificate to Master of Liberal Studies, Nonprofit Leadership Graduate Certificate to Master of Interdisciplinary Studies
- Build lifelong learning and alumni membership models
Example Metrics
The measures of our success include:
- Number of students receiving scholarships and amount of scholarship funds distributed
- % of philanthropic funding for mission-focused programs
- Number of credit and non-credit market-driven, stackable certificates and degrees
- Create personalized paths of entry that account for student financial and geographic circumstances
- Culture
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Foster a mission-driven culture of excellence, communication, service and organizational sustainability
As Rice Continuing Studies aims to elevate the personal and professional lives of our students and communities, we must lead by example. Our policies, procedures and practices must serve as a wayfinder for organizations as we emulate the principles we teach and values we espouse. Just as our courses reflect the value of education, nonprofit leadership, professional excellence and personal growth, so too will our teams.
Goals
- Cultivate a lifelong learning organization that champions student service, diversity, and personal and professional growth
- Develop instructor and staff recruiting and retention strategies to better reflect the diversity of the Greater Houston area
Example: Community Partnerships, School Diversity and Access Initiatives - Implement school-wide organizational sustainability model with defined career paths and succession plans, and individual and team professional development
Example: Department succession plans and annual professional development courses - Ensure strategic and active communication to prospective, current and former students
Example: Department Newsletters and Prospective Student Communication - Ensure strategic and active communication to advisory board, staff, faculty and instructors
- Develop instructor and staff recruiting and retention strategies to better reflect the diversity of the Greater Houston area
- Implement best practices in enrollment management, finance, process, human resources and business intelligence
- Leverage business intelligence and active enrollment management
- Launch a new fundraising campaign and ensure philanthropic investment to advance the school mission and meet defined program need
Example: Program Endowments and Scholarships - Standardize enrollment and revenue reports
- Utilize cross-functional team model for new academic innovations
Example: Stackable Graduate Certificates
Example Metrics
The measures of our success include:
- % of staff retention and promotion over 3 years
- Number of student enrollments
- Number of development engagements and philanthropic funds raised
- Cultivate a lifelong learning organization that champions student service, diversity, and personal and professional growth
Strategic Success Stories
Meeting our goals is more than metrics. Behind every data point are stories of people. And stories are meant to be told. As we make strategic progress, we will share those stories here, so check back regularly or sign up below to be notified when new stories are published.
Rice offers a homegrown solution for teacher support and retention.
Continuing studies’ program invites local students to campus.
Continuing studies’ student awarded 'Teacher of the Year'
Become a Part By…
Becoming a Lifelong Learner
Becoming who we are is a lifelong pursuit, and Rice Continuing Studies is where we find the building blocks of knowledge and experience used to shape the life we aspire to live. From learning a language to becoming an educator, from exploring Mars to building investments, from leveling up a career to shaping a nonprofit’s future, it all starts here. We’re Rice Continuing Studies and building communities one piece at a time — starting with you.
Learn more about our courses and register at continue.rice.edu.
Becoming a Funder
As we seek to broaden access and advance the social, educational and economic vitality of our community, our success is fueled by those who share our vision for what is possible and, through gifts, allow us to provide scale to our proven models of impact. Your gift to Rice Continuing Studies:
- Enables us to provide education across the span of life, from our youngest students in Pre-K to our oldest, who just turned 103.
- Empowers nonprofit professionals serving vital functions in our community, providing knowledge and skills for their critical missions.
- Extends groundbreaking Rice research to all, offering reliable resources for an ever-changing world.
- Expands access to educator programs, meeting the need for highly-trained teachers, principals and counselors.
- Equips our workforce, propelling our economy and creating opportunities for Houston-area
You can financially support Rice Continuing Studies by contacting our Development Director, Courtney Tardy, at 713-348-4881 or ctardy@rice.edu.
Donations can also be made online.
Becoming Engaged
Stay in the know about the progress we’re making and the strategic success stories of our community by filling out the form below.