In Part 2 of this powerful episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we continue our discussion with Saran, a first-year student at Rice whose leadership journey began long before she arrived on campus. At just 16, Saran became the first Mongolian American government-appointed official in California—and in U.S. history, representing more than 850,000 students with disabilities statewide. Her early work in policy and advocacy has already contributed to six bills signed into law and reached hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

Saran shares how she stepped into policymaking spaces typically dominated by adults, the challenges she faced as a young woman of color, and how she learned to transform individual stories into systemic change. She also opens up about the biggest gaps she sees in youth mental health policy today and what she’s learned from working with organizations across the country and internationally.

Now at Rice, Saran is continuing her impact through Political Science and Global Affairs while holding multiple leadership roles at Sid Richardson College—from Associate Justice to DRC Chair. She discusses how she’s navigated leading in a completely new environment, her work with Students with Disabilities SA, and her vision for improving accessibility and inclusion on campus.

Saran reflects on how her definition of leadership has evolved, the skills young policy leaders need today, and how she stays grounded while working on issues that shape people’s lives. She also shares her hopes for the legacy she wants to leave at Rice, her long-term goals in public service and global policy, and the message she wants to send to other young people ready to make a difference.

This conversation is inspiring, energizing, and full of wisdom from a leader who has already made history—and is just getting started.

If you missed part 1, listen here!

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The Leading Owls Podcast is hosted and produced by the Doerr Institute for New Leaders.
Edited by: Blake C. Hollaway

Ready for more insights from inspiring leaders at Rice University?
Subscribe to the Leading Owls Podcast and stay updated on our latest episodes!

The Doerr Institute for New Leaders helps Rice students unlock their leadership potential.

Because leaders are not born; they are grown.
We offer programs to Rice University students that expand upon your diverse qualities and increase your capacity to make a difference in the world.

Connect with the Doerr!

• Spring registration is OPEN! Register today at riceleader.org.
• Sign-up to be notified when new programs launch!
• Follow Doerr on TikTok
• Follow Doerr on Instagram
• Get Matched! Take the Doerr Institute Match Survey and find the perfect program to start your leadership journey.
• Download our Leader Development Log

In Part 1 of this powerful episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we sit down with Saran, a first-year student at Rice whose leadership journey began long before she arrived on campus. At just 16, Saran became the first Mongolian American government-appointed official in California—and in U.S. history, representing more than 850,000 students with disabilities statewide. Her early work in policy and advocacy has already contributed to six bills signed into law and reached hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

Saran shares how she stepped into policymaking spaces typically dominated by adults, the challenges she faced as a young woman of color, and how she learned to transform individual stories into systemic change. She also opens up about the biggest gaps she sees in youth mental health policy today and what she’s learned from working with organizations across the country and internationally.

Now at Rice, Saran is continuing her impact through Political Science and Global Affairs while holding multiple leadership roles at Sid Richardson College—from Associate Justice to DRC Chair. She discusses how she’s navigated leading in a completely new environment, her work with Students with Disabilities SA, and her vision for improving accessibility and inclusion on campus.

Saran reflects on how her definition of leadership has evolved, the skills young policy leaders need today, and how she stays grounded while working on issues that shape people’s lives. She also shares her hopes for the legacy she wants to leave at Rice, her long-term goals in public service and global policy, and the message she wants to send to other young people ready to make a difference.

This conversation is inspiring, energizing, and full of wisdom from a leader who has already made history—and is just getting started.

🎧 Listen now on the Leading Owls Podcast.

The Leading Owls Podcast is hosted and produced by the Doerr Institute for New Leaders.
Edited by: Blake C. Hollaway

Ready for more insights from inspiring leaders at Rice University?
Subscribe to the Leading Owls Podcast and stay updated on our latest episodes!

The Doerr Institute for New Leaders helps Rice students unlock their leadership potential.

Because leaders are not born; they are grown.
We offer programs to Rice University students that expand upon your diverse qualities and increase your capacity to make a difference in the world.

Connect with the Doerr!

• Spring semester registration opens in December!
• Sign-up to be notified when new programs launch!
• Follow Doerr on TikTok
• Follow Doerr on Instagram
• Get Matched! Take the Doerr Institute Match Survey and find the perfect program to start your leadership journey.
• Download our Leader Development Log

On this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we’re joined by Gary Garrett, Program Manager at the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University.

Gary has been part of the Doerr team since its early days, helping shape and deliver programs that empower Rice students to grow as leaders—no matter where they start. From overseeing flagship programs like Catalyst to supporting hundreds of students and professionals in their development journeys, Gary has seen leadership take shape in many forms.

In this conversation, Gary shares how his own view of leadership has evolved—from focusing on management and getting things done to embracing leadership as a deeply human, reflective, and relational practice. He also offers an inside look at what makes the Doerr approach to leader development so distinctive, what students can expect from coaching, and how programs like Catalyst help learners put theory into real action.

Plus, as a Sid Richardson College Associate, Gary reflects on the joy of mentoring students, the lessons he’s learned from the Rice community, and his best advice for anyone beginning their own leadership journey.

The Leading Owls Podcast is hosted and produced by the Doerr Institute for New Leaders.
Edited by: Blake C. Hollaway

Ready for more insights from inspiring leaders at Rice University?
Subscribe to the Leading Owls Podcast and stay updated on our latest episodes!

The Doerr Institute for New Leaders helps Rice students unlock their leadership potential.

Because leaders are not born; they are grown.
We offer programs to Rice University students that expand upon your diverse qualities and increase your capacity to make a difference in the world.

Connect with the Doerr!

• Spring semester registration opens in December!
• Sign-up to be notified when new programs launch!
• Follow Doerr on TikTok
• Follow Doerr on Instagram
• Get Matched! Take the Doerr Institute Match Survey and find the perfect program to start your leadership journey.
• Download our Leader Development Log

On this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we sit down with Eman, a 2025 O-Week Coordinator for Baker College, who has worn many hats as a student leader at Rice. From being an O-Week Advisor, PAA, and Room Assignment Coordinator to leading community outreach with Rice360 and conducting research at the BRC, Eman shares how each role has shaped her leadership journey.

She takes us inside the excitement (and challenges!) of planning O-Week, what students might not realize goes on behind the scenes, and what she hopes the incoming class will take away from their first week on campus. Plus, Eman offers advice for students who are nervous about fitting in, reflects on balancing leadership with academics, and shares her favorite Rice traditions in our rapid-fire round.

Whether you’re a new Owl gearing up for O-Week or a student looking to dive deeper into leadership at Rice, this episode is packed with honest insights, practical advice, and a whole lot of Baker College spirit.

The Leading Owls Podcast is hosted and produced by the Doerr Institute for New Leaders.
Edited by: Blake C. Hollaway

Ready for more insights from inspiring leaders at Rice University?
Subscribe to the Leading Owls Podcast and stay updated on our latest episodes!

The Doerr Institute for New Leaders helps Rice students unlock their leadership potential.

Because leaders are not born; they are grown.
We offer programs to Rice University students that expand upon your diverse qualities and increase your capacity to make a difference in the world.

Connect with the Doerr!

• Spring semester registration opens in December!
• Sign-up to be notified when new programs launch!
• Follow Doerr on TikTok
• Follow Doerr on Instagram
• Get Matched! Take the Doerr Institute Match Survey and find the perfect program to start your leadership journey.
• Download our Leader Development Log

On this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Bernie Banks, Director of the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University, retired U.S. Army Brigadier General, and co-author of the new book The New Science of Momentum: How the Best Coaches and Leaders Build a Fire from a Single Spark.

If you are interested in increased motivation and momentum in your life, this episode is a must listen. Bernie unpacks what momentum really means for leaders and teams—how to spark it, sustain it, and rebuild it when progress stalls. Drawing on stories from his military and academic career, as well as insights from his new book, he reveals how momentum can change the trajectory of individuals, organizations, and even entire communities.

Whether you’re a student leader at Rice, just starting your leadership journey, or a seasoned professional, this episode will give you a fresh perspective for building momentum in your own life and work.

The Leading Owls Podcast is hosted and produced by the Doerr Institute for New Leaders.
Edited by: Blake C. Hollaway

Ready for more insights from inspiring leaders at Rice University?
Subscribe to the Leading Owls Podcast and stay updated on our latest episodes!

The Doerr Institute for New Leaders helps Rice students unlock their leadership potential.

Because leaders are not born; they are grown.
We offer programs to Rice University students that expand upon your diverse qualities and increase your capacity to make a difference in the world.

Connect with the Doerr!

• Spring semester registration opens in December!
• Sign-up to be notified when new programs launch!
• Follow Doerr on TikTok
• Follow Doerr on Instagram
• Get Matched! Take the Doerr Institute Match Survey and find the perfect program to start your leadership journey.
• Download our Leader Development Log

On this episode of Leading Owls, we sit down with Aislinn, a standout student leader and one of this year’s O-Week Coordinators for Wiess College. From her first year on New Student Council to joining 11 IM sports teams (yes—eleven!), Aislinn has made the most of her Rice experience by diving headfirst into nearly every corner of campus life.

We talk about what it’s really like to get involved at Rice, how to find your place in the college system, and how she balances everything from research and health advising to camp counseling and O-Week. Whether you’re a new student looking for your first club or a current Owl ready to take on more, Aislinn’s story is full of practical advice, energy, and inspiration.

Plus—her favorite Rice traditions, the best Wiess memories, and a rapid-fire round you won’t want to miss.

The Leading Owls Podcast is hosted and produced by the Doerr Institute for New Leaders.
Edited by: Blake C. Hollaway

Ready for more insights from inspiring leaders at Rice University?
Subscribe to the Leading Owls Podcast and stay updated on our latest episodes!

The Doerr Institute for New Leaders helps Rice students unlock their leadership potential.

Because leaders are not born; they are grown.
We offer programs to Rice University students that expand upon your diverse qualities and increase your capacity to make a difference in the world.

Connect with the Doerr!

• Spring semester registration opens in December!
• Sign-up to be notified when new programs launch!
• Follow Doerr on TikTok
• Follow Doerr on Instagram
• Get Matched! Take the Doerr Institute Match Survey and find the perfect program to start your leadership journey.
• Download our Leader Development Log

In this episode of Leading Owls, we go behind the scenes with Rachel, one of the 2025 O-Week Coordinators for Jones College, whose leadership is shaped by creativity and a deep love for all things Rice. From her time as a Floor Rep and Associate Justice to leading as the Arts & Wellness Coordinator and Jones Pit Crew member, her journey is all about showing up for her college—and finding joy in the process.

She shares what inspired her to take on the challenge of O-Week coordination, how the planning process really works, and what she's most excited for as Jones welcomes its newest Owls. We also talk about her involvement with the Rice Association for Women in Mathematics and R2: The Rice Review, and how she balances creative and academic passions.

Whether you're a first-year student wondering how to get involved or a seasoned Owl looking for new inspiration, this conversation offers honest reflections, helpful advice, and a whole lot of Rice pride.

The Leading Owls Podcast is hosted and produced by the Doerr Institute for New Leaders.
Edited by: Blake C. Hollaway

Ready for more insights from inspiring leaders at Rice University?
Subscribe to the Leading Owls Podcast and stay updated on our latest episodes!

The Doerr Institute for New Leaders helps Rice students unlock their leadership potential.

Because leaders are not born; they are grown.
We offer programs to Rice University students that expand upon your diverse qualities and increase your capacity to make a difference in the world.

Connect with the Doerr!

• Spring semester registration opens in December!
• Sign-up to be notified when new programs launch!
• Follow Doerr on TikTok
• Follow Doerr on Instagram
• Get Matched! Take the Doerr Institute Match Survey and find the perfect program to start your leadership journey.
• Download our Leader Development Log

In this episode of Leading Owls, we sit down with Princess, the 2025 O-Week Coordinator for Brown College at Rice University. From her journey as a freshman rep to leading one of the most exciting and pivotal weeks of the year, Princess shares how her leadership has evolved and how her diverse involvements at Rice—from cheerleading to mentoring and volunteering—inform her work today.

Princess takes us behind the scenes of O-Week preparation, revealing surprising moments and lessons learned along the way. She shares her passion for supporting women, Black students, and pre-health students through organizations like RBWA, and the Women’s Resource Center, and talks about how these experiences shape her leadership style and vision for O-Week.

Whether you're a first-year student or someone interested in leadership, mentorship, and community-building, Princess' journey offers valuable insights into making the most of your time at Rice, staying grounded with a busy schedule, and being a force for positive change on campus.

Tune in for a conversation full of inspiration, advice, and a sneak peek into what makes O-Week at Brown College so special!

The Leading Owls Podcast is hosted and produced by the Doerr Institute for New Leaders.
Edited by: Blake C. Hollaway

Ready for more insights from inspiring leaders at Rice University?
Subscribe to the Leading Owls Podcast and stay updated on our latest episodes!

The Doerr Institute for New Leaders helps Rice students unlock their leadership potential.

Because leaders are not born; they are grown.
We offer programs to Rice University students that expand upon your diverse qualities and increase your capacity to make a difference in the world.

Connect with the Doerr!

• Spring semester registration opens in December!
• Sign-up to be notified when new programs launch!
• Follow Doerr on TikTok
• Follow Doerr on Instagram
• Get Matched! Take the Doerr Institute Match Survey and find the perfect program to start your leadership journey.
• Download our Leader Development Log