As a Rice alum, former trustee, and seasoned technology leader, Terrence Gee brings both deep professional expertise and a lifelong connection to the university into his role as Interim Chief Information Officer. With nearly 40 years of experience spanning consulting, entrepreneurship, and executive leadership, Terrence sees technology not just as a tool but as a driver of transformation. We spoke with him about his journey, his leadership philosophy, and his vision for OIT’s role in supporting Rice’s mission.
Can you share a little about your background and what drives you to support the work unfolding at Rice?
I’m a native Houstonian who still thinks of himself as “just a kid from Sunnyside.” I’ve been married to my wife, Terri, for 35 years, and we have three adult children (all proud Baylor grads). I’m also a Rice alum (Sid ’86) and former trustee.
My professional journey spans nearly 40 years, beginning as a partner at Accenture, then launching several of my own businesses, serving as CIO of Coke Florida, and now stepping into this role at Rice—with a number of other exciting chapters along the way. That journey has made me a true believer in the power of technology to drive meaningful change.
Rice has always been part of my story. The opportunity to help enable the strategies outlined in Momentous and to work alongside a great leader like Kelly—plus the rest of the Rice team—was simply too intriguing to pass up.
Are there any pivotal experiences that helped shape your leadership style?
I spent more than 20 years as a consultant before moving to the “other side of the table”. Across all of those roles, I’ve learned that leaders influence outcomes most effectively when they are clear about the destination and confident enough to let others chart the course to get there.
For me, clarity and confidence are not “soft skills.” They are the foundation for empowering teams to do their best work and for creating the conditions where transformation can take root and last. I try to lead with those principles in mind.
What excites you about your new role at Rice?
It’s a challenging but also exciting time for higher education. This role offers the chance to innovate across multiple dimensions—not just the technology we employ, but also the business and operating models that support the university’s mission.
It’s a unique opportunity to help meet the rising expectations of students, faculty, and staff while ensuring Rice continues to lead among its peers. And Rice is the ideal environment for transformation: small enough to align and act decisively, yet big enough in reach and reputation to influence far beyond our campus.
Can you share what your vision for OIT looks like while serving as interim? What can the Rice community expect from this critical service area?
I don’t really think of myself as “interim.” I’m focused on being the best CIO I can be—full stop. I want my time with this team to be impactful, no matter the timeframe.
My vision for OIT is simple: elevate the role of technology in delivering results for the university while establishing OIT as the “go-to partner” for enabling digital solutions that scale, innovate, and create great experiences.
The Rice community can expect an OIT that is anchored in a strong digital core, clear in its priorities, and focused on service that lifts the enterprise. And we will deliver on our commitments.
How do you recharge your batteries & have fun?
I recharge my batteries by “draining” them first—running (with a bit more walking these days!) or grinding it out on the assault bike. It clears my head, fuels new ideas, and teaches me to “handle hard better.”
I also love a good movie in the theatre, diving into John Grisham novels, and I’d put Kiese Laymon’s Heavy: An American Memoir at the top of my reading list—it’s the best book I’ve read in years. And when it’s time to simply relax, nothing beats classic Sade.