Finding home at Rice:

Reflecting on the residential college experience

Rice’s residential colleges have long been the heart of student life, and for families like the Pessins, the opening of Chao College adds a new layer of excitement. Parent Bree Pessin and her son Jake ’29 share how the residential college system eased the transition to college and what it feels like to help build the culture, traditions and identity of Rice’s newest community from the ground up.

A Q&A with Parent Bree Pessin and her son Jake ’29

Bree, as a parent, how has the residential college system influenced your confidence in your student’s transition to college life?

Rice is very special, and the residential college system is a defining part of that experience. What stood out to me is that students aren’t simply assigned housing — they’re placed into a built-in community from day one, with intentional structure and support.

Like many parents, I worried about whether my student would feel connected and supported. The residential college system eased that concern. I knew there were people checking in, opportunities to get involved and a community helping him navigate campus life. That level of embedded support makes a big difference. As a parent, that was incredibly reassuring.

What would you share with other parents about Rice’s residential college experience?

I was surprised by how much pride students have in their residential colleges. The sense of identity, tradition and belonging is incredibly strong, and it’s a big part of what makes Rice feel so distinctive. When we toured Rice, the residential colleges were emphasized often, and while I understood it intellectually, I didn’t fully grasp the impact until we saw it in action. Especially during Families Weekend, it became clear how much daily life revolves around the college community from events and intramurals to mentoring and traditions. A lot of schools talk about community, but at Rice, it truly feels embedded into campus life through the residential colleges.

What has it meant to you knowing Jake is helping establish a new chapter at Chao?

I’m really excited for him because he’s part of making Rice history. It’s been meaningful to see his enthusiasm for helping build the Chao community from the ground up. That kind of collaboration and care feels very true to Rice as a whole, and it’s exciting to watch him contribute to something new.

What should incoming families know?

I would encourage incoming families to attend Families Weekend in the fall. Dropping your child off on campus is such a bittersweet moment. You’re incredibly proud that they’ve landed at a top-tier university, but there’s also some uncertainty because you don’t yet know how everything will unfold.

Families Weekend, a few months later, is one of the best opportunities to come back to campus and see your child truly thriving. You get to meet their friends, experience their environment and see the life they’re building for themselves. I remember Jake was so excited to see us, but almost immediately said, “Mom, I’ll be right back, I have to go dunk a friend into the fountain.” It was one of his close friend’s birthdays, and at Brown they have the Fairy Fountain tradition, where students are playfully thrown into the fountain. Seeing how excited he was about those traditions and that sense of belonging was really special.

Jake, what initially stood out to you about Rice University’s residential college system?

For me, it really came down to community. Coming from out of state, college felt daunting, and I didn’t know anyone. Knowing the residential college system would provide a built-in community made the transition much more manageable. It gave me a place to land early on, especially when I needed support or had questions during my first year.

How has the residential college system shaped your experience at Rice so far?

During O-Week, I was struck by the energy the residential college system brings to campus. It set a strong foundation for my first year, and I immediately felt supported as part of a larger community. That experience inspired me to apply to be a freshman representative for Brown, which was my first step into student government. I wanted to help other students have that same full and welcoming experience.

At its core, the residential college experience is about more than where you live — it’s about the traditions and small moments, whether that’s intramural culture, birthday celebrations or other rituals that build community.

What has it been like to be part of the excitement around welcoming the first residents to Chao this fall?

When I learned about Chao, I was excited by the opportunity to take what I had learned at Brown and help build something new from the ground up. My goal has been to help ensure Chao students feel that same sense of belonging and connection within their own residential college. Now, as a Chao senator, I try to make myself as accessible as possible. I like being someone students feel comfortable reaching out to, and I enjoy hearing what they want from Chao and the broader Rice community so I can help advocate for those ideas.

Going into something this new and knowing you’ll be part of shaping its culture is both incredibly exhilarating and a little nerve-wracking. There’s a real awareness that the decisions being made now will become part of Chao’s legacy for future generations. Because of that, I’ve been focused on listening closely to as many perspectives as possible and incorporating those voices into the process.

More than anything, though, the experience has been energizing. So many students joining Chao are eager to help shape its culture and traditions. There’s a real sense that people want their voices heard and want to leave their mark on what Chao will become. Seeing that level of enthusiasm and being in a position where I can help make those ideas happen has been really exciting.

What are you most looking forward to about life in Chao this fall?

The most exciting part will be seeing everything come to life. There has been so much effort and energy invested by so many people, and it will be incredibly rewarding to watch it become real. Seeing everything come to fruition and knowing all of that work is contributing to building such a meaningful community is really special.

Are there any aspects of residential college life that you think incoming students should know about?

Each residential college brings its own unique flair to the Rice experience. Whether it’s intramurals, birthday traditions or other small rituals, every college has traditions that help shape its community and make it special.

I’m also a tour guide, and one thing we always say on tours is that everyone believes their college is the best, and in a way, that’s true. Every student feels that way because they genuinely love the traditions and sense of belonging they’ve found there. No matter where you end up, you’re going to find your place and feel welcomed. You’ll be able to find a home wherever you land.

For incoming Chao students, whether you’re a first-year or a transfer like me, my biggest message is to get ready and get excited. Our executive team, RAs, magisters and so many others have been putting in so much work to make this an amazing experience, and I think students are in for a really special year.