Building Belonging at Rice University's Brown College with Student Leader Neya

In this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we sit down with Neya, a first year at Rice University’s Brown College and an emerging campus leader already making an impact through student government.

Neya shares what drew her into leadership from the very beginning of her Rice journey, including her roles as Brown College Freshman Representative and Student Association New Student Representative. She reflects on how Rice’s culture of openness and collaboration has shaped the kind of leader she wants to become—one grounded in listening, community-building, and advocacy.

Throughout the conversation, Neya offers a behind-the-scenes look at planning college events that bring people together, what she’s learned about creating meaningful student engagement, and how balancing multiple leadership perspectives has helped her grow.

Neya also discusses her powerful personal experience founding Unbound Angels, an organization inspired by her time in India supporting children who lacked access to medical care—an experience that continues to shape her vision for service and impact at Rice.

The episode closes with thoughtful advice for new students who want to get involved but don’t know where to start, and a reflection on what legacy means as a young leader just beginning her college journey.

Whether you’re a first-year student stepping into leadership for the first time or someone looking to make change through community and service, Neya’s story is an inspiring reminder that leadership is built through showing up, listening, and taking initiative.

The Leading Owls Podcast is hosted and produced by the Doerr Institute for New Leaders.
Edited by: Blake C. Hollaway

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