Our Departments

The Office of Public Affairs serves as the central hub for communications, marketing, and media relations at Rice University. Our departments work collaboratively to share Rice's story with the world, promote our institutional mission, and engage with the university community and beyond. Discover how our teams bring the university's message to life.


Office of the Vice President for Public Affairs

As the division's leadership team, we oversee the strategic vision and direction for all communications and marketing efforts. We work to support the university's mission and reinforce its reputation as a premier institution of research and education.

Strategic Communications

We develop and execute high-level communication strategies to support the university's leadership and reinforce its strategic priorities. Our team crafts key messaging and communications for the offices of the President and Provost, ensuring consistency and impact across all institutional channels.

News & Media Relations

We all have a story to tell. The challenge is telling that story in an information-saturated world. By crafting the university’s message and sharing it with a directory of media contacts, we push Rice’s knowledge, ideas and innovations into the world.

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Government Relations

Government Relations generates support so that Rice’s administration, faculty and students can change the world. By partnering with university leaders, we advance the strategic interests of Rice to government agencies and officials across the nation.

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Marketing & Digital Communications

Tasked with message development, branding initiatives and executing an overall marketing communication strategy for the university, Marketing and Digital Communications relays the Rice narrative to the world. We convey a cohesive and consistent Rice message that honors the university’s distinguished reputation, world-class academics and research, and commitment to unconventional wisdom.

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Creative Services

Image is everything. Luckily, Creative Services has the resources to help Rice’s faculty and staff make a lasting impression. From graphic design to editorial assistance and photography, we bring the university’s bright ideas to life.

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Special Event Services

This department serves as the central team for campus and community engagement, managing special events from university functions to community gatherings.

Multicultural Community Relations

At Rice, we seek to maintain a diverse community by building bridges on and off campus. In keeping with that spirit, Multicultural Community Relations aims to enhance relationships between Rice and minority communities.

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Web Experience Innovation & Technical Operations

Our team provides web services for sites hosted on the Rice.edu domain that meet university brand standards. Whether you need a site refresh or are looking to create a new one, we will help you build a current, functional and effective website that is designed for your audience and aligns with your objectives.

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University Relations

Being a good neighbor — that’s our commitment to Rice and Houston. From campus tours to managing relationships with our neighbors, we keep the lines of communication open between the university and its surrounding community.

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