What inspires you to remain so engaged with Rice?
Rice is the most magical place in the world. The people, the collaborative environment, the culture of care, and everything in between define the memories of my time at Rice. I remember it quite fondly, as I met my best friends for life while I was there, and it's where I grew up into the man I am today. I credit much of my success and personal/professional development to the experiences I had while at Rice, and as such, I feel a strong sense of duty to give back to the place that gave so much to me. In staying engaged, I hope that future students experience this same "magic" I've described —and it is only with the support of the alumni body that Rice can continue to do so for years to come.
How have you grown/changed in your Rice journey since receiving the award?
The environment provided by Rice allowed for my growth as a leader in a multitude of ways. Upon leaving Rice and entering medical school at Harvard, I was worried I would struggle given I was born and raised in Houston; however, I've found that Rice equipped me with the tools and skills I needed no matter the situation I was presented.
Upon matriculation at Harvard Medical School, I found myself quickly growing close to many of my peers, and I felt a strong sense of community with those around me, much like I did at Lovett and at Rice. In doing so, I felt a desire to serve my peers in a substantial way by running for president of my class, motivated significantly by the leadership experiences I'd taken part in at Rice. Since being elected, I've had the honor of rolling out a variety of new initiatives, particularly in the ways of community building, mental health support infrastructure, and financial aid. I credit the experiences I gleaned as a leader at Rice for the ability to thrive in this new environment I was presented--Rice truly does provide for personal growth in myriad ways, and I'm so thankful for the wonderful community that allowed me to do so.
Nicholos’s advice:
Wherever you end up post-graduation, tap into the alumni network in the city you find yourself —Rice's reach extends across the country in every city imaginable. I've made quite a few new friends at the happy hours hosted by the Association of Rice Alumni in Boston, and I've continued to meet alumni in the medical field and beyond. The one common thread we share is our time at Rice, which invariably is regarded as one of the happiest times of our lives. It's been wonderful sharing memories with folks of many different generations, ranging from Beer Bike, to hanging out at Valhalla, to late nights spent studying at Fondren. Furthermore, networking with these individuals has allowed me to meet role models in my own career trajectory, and I know many of my peers have found much of the same themselves.
What’s next for you?
This upcoming school year, I will be taking a year off from medical school and pursuing a dual Master in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS). Given my burgeoning interests in the world of children's health and education policy, I hope to hone my skills and grow my network in these arenas, as my ultimate goal is to substantiate lasting change in the areas I am most passionate. This, I believe, extends beyond clinical medicine alone, and I feel that furthering my education at HKS will allow me to do just this. I know I'm still early in my career, but as a Rice alumnus, I hope to advise current students and recent alumni alike on their career paths. I know just how important mentorship is, especially given how many people guided me along in my own journey.