The Whitten Peer Educator Development Program
Through the generous support of Lori and Chuck Whitten, the OASUS supports a vibrant community of practice for Rice student educators - tutors, consultants, coaches and TAs. Our program centers meaningful learning, inclusive communities, and metacognitive awareness of the learning process. A full schedule of events can be found on our OASUS Program Calendar.
Foundational Training
Our eight-hour foundational training series introduces new peer educators to fundamental theories and strategies of peer education. For a detailed overview of the curriculum, see OASUS Foundational Peer Educator Training Program.
Fall 2026
- Orientation Day 1: Tuesday, August 25th, 6:30 - 8 PM
- Orientation Day 2: Thursday, August 27th, 6:30 - 8 PM
- Core Workshop 1: Wednesday, September 9th, 6 - 7 PM
- Core Workshop 2: Wednesday, September 16th, 6 - 7 PM
- Core Workshop 3: Wednesday, September 23rd, 6 - 7 PM
For more information, see Fall 2026 Invitation and Registration.*
*Please note - Students not employed by OASUS must have the approval of their supervisors in order to participate in this paid training. Faculty who would like their TAs to participate should contact us at oasus@rice.edu.
Professional Development
Each semester, the OASUS offers workshops and discussions designed to support peer educators in their practice, enhance their professional skills, and contribute to a larger community of student educators at Rice.
Past workshop topics include Ethical and Effective Gen AI for Peer Educators, Designing a Successful Exam Review, and Showcasing Peer Education experience on resumes and LinkedIn. Our Lunch & Learn series are brown bag gatherings where you can socialize and participate in informal discussions led by OASUS Lead Peer Educators. For a schedule and full description of upcoming events, see Spring 2026 OASUS Professional Development Opportunities.
Whitten Fellowships
Whitten fellowships support students' professional development in the pedagogy of peer education.
- Whitten Graduate Fellowships, open to current Rice graduate students, support peer educator training and development programming at OASUS. Academic year long program. Applications for Fall 26 - Spring 27 have now closed.
- Whitten Peer Educator Fellowships, open to current Rice undergraduate students, support participation in conferences, research, or projects related to peer education. Applications for Spring will be available Fall 2026.
Whitten Fellow Spotlight
Introducing our Spring 2026 Whitten Peer Educator Fellow: Vamsi Makineni (Philosophy, '26)
“The Whitten Fellowship came with invaluable training to shift my mindset from teaching courses to a structured three-session workshop. I pitched my ideas and activities for the workshop to receive constructive feedback, which only strengthened my abilities to help educate my peers. Through the fellowship, I became a more confident educator and more engaged with the peer educator community.”
Workshop series: Effective Learning Strategies
Resource: Effective Mindmapping
Join the OASUS Team
The OASUS employs Rice undergraduates to support our peer programs - Drop-in Study and PAL Study Groups. These positions offer the opportunity to contribute to a supportive, inclusive community of learners while developing skills as leaders and students. Click here to meet our current team!
- Drop-in Study Tutors provide course-specific tutoring to students at Drop-in Study.
- PAL Leaders plan and facilitate regular structured study sessions for specific courses.
- Drop-in Study Managers create a welcoming, efficient learning environment at Drop-in Study.
- Lead Peer Educators and Lead Managers coordinate and mentor other peer educators and contribute to program development.
For hiring cycles and applications, see Employment Opportunities
Questions?
Email us at oasus@rice.edu. For more details about our program and upcoming workshops and events, add our OASUS Program Calendar and following us on Instagram, @rice.oasus.