Rice University’s Board of Trustees (BoT) serves as the institution’s highest governing body, ensuring that Rice fulfills its mission of becoming a premier teaching and research university. Comprising 26 members—including 25 appointed trustees and the university’s president—the BoT provides essential oversight and strategic guidance.
Assisting the BoT with its efforts are Omar Syed, Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary, and Cynthia Wilson, Deputy Secretary for the Board of Trustees. Their extensive experience and unwavering dedication facilitate the Board’s responsibility to protect Rice’s interests and build an effective organization.
“Rice University is a nonprofit corporation, so under Texas law, it is required to have a board of directors. Our BoT is that board of directors,” explains Syed.
Meeting regularly, the BoT stays informed of campus activities while offering guidance to the administration. “The trustees serve as a source of wisdom, professional experience, and foresight for those managing the day-to-day operations, including the President and his cabinet," says Syed.
In addition to its functional duties—such as approving the annual budget, granting tenure, and selecting new university presidents—the Board’s primary focus is ensuring Rice’s long-term success. “The trustees safeguard Rice’s financial stability for years to come and certify that our strategic direction aligns with the university’s mission,” Wilson emphasizes.
The dedication and engagement of Rice’s trustees are evident. "Our Board is a working board," Wilson notes. “Trustees are genuinely committed to Rice’s success. About 90% are Rice alums, and they’re driven by a deep love for the university.”
This commitment propels the trustees to transcend traditional oversight. "They cherish Rice and are incredibly ambitious and optimistic for everything Rice is and can become," Syed adds. With their deep ties to the university and active participation, the BoT is instrumental in shaping Rice’s future.