Information for Students
Source: https://business.rice.edu/rice-business-board-fellows/students Parent: https://business.rice.edu/current-students
Information for First Year Students about Rice Business Board Fellows
We're so glad you're interested in Rice Business Board Fellows. The benefits will go way beyond the time you serve on the nonprofit board. Not only will you be helping your community and spreading the good reputation of the business school, but you will be making connections with other like-minded people.
Informational Videos:
Benefits for you:
- Gain an in-depth understanding of the role of business leaders on nonprofit boards
- Develop professional knowledge and skills in board governance
- Offer a high-impact way for you to serve your community using your business knowledge
- Develop the skills for effective and thoughtful community leadership
Application Process
Please know that to apply and potentially be accepted as a Rice Business Board Fellow, you must bean enrolled first year student in the Rice Business MBA program. Below is a general timeline of important dates in the application process. If you have specific questions about the application process, please email us at boardfellows@rice.edu.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | August 28, 2025 |
| Board Fellows Information Session | September 3, 2025 at 5:00pm |
| Applications close | September 13, 2025 |
| Interviews | September 30 – October 21, 2025 |
| Selection notification | October 30, 2025 |
| Mandatory Board Fellows Training | November 6, 2025 |
Expectations of a Rice Business Board Fellow
- Participate in board meetings and on board committees
- Support the work of the organization for which you are a board fellow
- Maintain ongoing and regular communications with the board of your organization, mentor, and Rice staff liaison to ensure a positive experience with the organization
- Attend Board Fellows orientation, trainings and complete relevant surveys
- Communicate with mentor, board chair or organizational contact regarding inability to attend meetings
What you can expect from your organization:
- Board Inclusion
- A designated board mentor or liaison to guide your experience
- Invitation to attend and participate in regular board meetings
- Opportunities to observe governance, strategic planning, and fundraising discussions
- Learning Opportunities
- Insight into how boards make high-level decisions around budgets, mission alignment, and long-term planning
- Exposure to nonprofit governance practices, including bylaws, financial reports, and committee work
- Opportunities to contribute to special projects or committee initiatives based on your interests and skills
- Clear scope of work with timelines and deliverables discussed with your board mentor
What we expect from your organization:
- Create a supportive and stimulating learning experience for the board fellows
- Help board fellows develop an understanding of the organization’s goals and challenges
- Respond to emails and other communications in a timely manner
- Secure board and organizational support for hosting a board fellow
- Identify the board fellows mentor (a member of the board who will serve as the fellow’s primary contact and guide)
- Provide a formal introduction to organization which includes but is not limited to sharing financials, minutes, committees, board meeting dates and times, and any pertinent information of the board and organization
- Mentor or organization contact person must attend the Board Fellows Orientation and Closing ceremonies
- Invite board fellows to meetings and introduce them to board members
- Set outcomes that can be completed and respect students’ academic commitments
- Conduct a final meeting with the board fellows and, if applicable, transition to new board fellow
- Provide feedback to the board fellow as needed and submit two feedback surveys to the board fellows staff liaison, Erica Njoku, throughout the duration of the fellowship
Mentorship
You will be assigned a mentor from the board of the organization you are paired with. You should take a proactive role in maintaining ongoing communication with your mentor. The mentor will:
- Guide you through his or her participation on the board
- Act as a resource for questions about the organization
- Educate you about board service and governance
Time Commitment
You should anticipate spending 2-5 hours per month attending board and committee meetings, and working on committee projects for you assigned organization, as appropriate.
Fellows are selected based on the following:
- Submission of a thoughtful and thorough application
- Successful completion of an interview with business school staff
- Interest in nonprofit and board service work
- Professional and relevant skills
- Good academic standing
- Commitment to the time required (2-5 hours per month, varies by organization)
Nonprofits are selected based on the following:
- Submission of a thoughtful and thorough application
- Commitment to developing new leaders
- Organizational stability
- Identification of mentor who is available two hours per month
- Clarity of the board fellow role and secured organizational buy-in
- Clear articulation of board fellow’s committee, project scope and deliverables
- Good communication skills