Research, Innovation and Creative Engagement Center (RICE Center)
At the Research, Innovation and Creative Engagement Center (RICE), we believe that research is a powerful tool for empowering students to become leaders and innovators in their fields.
RICE is designed to enhance your academic experience and prepare you for future success through hands-on mentored research and creative engagement projects.
The Benefits of Student Research at a Community College
Participating in research at a community college like Oakton offers unique advantages. Students can engage in meaningful research early in their academic journey, often with more personalized guidance and support from faculty. This experience strengthens academic and professional skills and opens doors to scholarships, transfer opportunities and career pathways.
Get Involved
The RICE Center will hold orientation sessions and open houses throughout the academic year. You're invited to join workshops and events. You can explore opportunities in various academic concentrations.
Mentorship programs with faculty across Liberal Arts disciplines through collaborative research projects
Research and creative engagement project opportunities where students can apply research skills in real-world settings
Interactive workshops and training sessions
Research symposiums and showcases
Guidance on exploring job pathways and future career horizons
Support to help you engage with various academic concentrations, including Peace and Social Justice Studies, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Global Studies and more
1 or 2Number of semesters required to participate in research or creative projects
$500Amount RICE Center Fellows receive on their student accounts per project with a faculty mentor
Up to10Projects will be funded each year
Why Choose the RICE Center?
Gain practical experience applying classroom learning through research and creative projects
Develop essential skills for university transfer and career success
Enhance critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills through active research
Build confidence and expertise by contributing to knowledge creation at the community college level
Receive mentorship from dedicated faculty committed to equity
Explore interdisciplinary collaborations
Enhance your resume with documented research experience
Information for Current Students
Current Oakton students interested in engaging in a project with a Liberal Arts faculty member are invited to apply to become RICE Center Fellows. Participation requires availability of a participating faculty mentor with the appropriate research expertise. If no faculty member is available, interested students may be added to a database for consideration for future projects.
Expectations for participation include:
Commitment to participate in a research or creative engagement project that spans one or two semesters during the regular academic year
Presenting at the RICE Center Symposium at the end of the term
Stay tuned - the application for the Fall and Spring of 2025-2026 will open in May.
The RICE Center is committed to supporting all Oakton students, with a focus on enhancing opportunities for historically underrepresented groups. Our faculty mentors undergo anti-racism training to ensure an inclusive and supportive environment for all.
The RICE Center at Oakton College fosters an inclusive academic environment where students, especially those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to do research, can engage in meaningful research, creativity, and innovative collaboration. Through mentorship, equity-centered practices, and high-impact learning experiences, the RICE Center empowers students to develop critical skills that enhance their academic, personal, and professional success, preparing them to be leaders in their communities and beyond.
The RICE Center envisions a future where every Oakton student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to explore and contribute to the academic and creative frontiers of their discipline. By cultivating innovation, equity, and collaboration, the center will become a model for academic excellence and leadership, closing success gaps and creating a transformative experience that propels students to thrive in their academic journeys and future careers.
to apply to become RICE Center Fellows. Participation requires availability of a participating faculty mentor with the appropriate research expertise. If no faculty member is available, interested students may be added to a database for consideration for future projects.