Chad Benedict ’01

Principal, Learning Solutions at Guild Education
BA 2001, Rice University
EdM 2012, Harvard University

ARA Board Term ends: 2022

Get to Know Chad

What part of serving on the ARA Board are you most excited about?

Having even more reasons to visit the Rice campus! But I have also been thrilled to see the more active role the ARA board has taken in recent years in championing university initiatives such as The Rice Investment. As board members we are able to give a voice both to our alumni community and to the institution as it expands its global reach. I look forward to encouraging more alumni to get involved with Rice no matter where in the world they may live.

What is your favorite “Only at Rice” memory or story?

I had the honor of serving as a Rice Student Ambassador, a group of students that assists in facilitating university events across campus, often involving high-profile guests. I met several amazing civil and political leaders during my time as an ambassador, but my most memorable experience was on my 21st birthday, when I met Nelson Mandela not once, but twice, during the course of his day at Rice. My friends took me to Chuy's afterward to celebrate in style, but it was Mandela's smile and the joy in his eyes that I will always remember.

If you could give one piece of advice to Rice students, what would it be?

I would encourage students to journey off campus more. The Rice campus remains my favorite place in Houston, but there is an entire world beyond that hedges waiting to be discovered. It wasn't until I graduated Rice and began working full time in Houston that I realized just how much the city has to offer. Rice students are lucky to live in the middle of the most diverse city in the U.S., near many major parks and cultural attractions and with access provided by Rice's Passport to Houston. There's even more to enjoy now than during my time there, and I hope students will take advantage of it before they graduate.