A Gift to Ignite Opportunity

Charlos Ward ‘98, ‘06 speaks passionately about the profound impact her Rice education had on her career, worldview and commitment to giving back. “Education opened doors for me, and now I want to help open doors for others,” she says. Together, Charlos and her husband, Lee Riley, share a clear and unwavering purpose: to create opportunity, build community and ensure that every student has the support they need to thrive.

"I was fortunate to have many people invest in me, so I wanted to pay it forward," says Charlos, who joined the Rice University Board of Trustees in July. Lee shares her passion for education, adding, “I believe that a well-educated population is essential for a functioning democracy. Therefore, we need to focus on the education of all kids, not just our own kids.”

Charlos and Lee began their philanthropic journey at Rice by creating an endowment for the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL), a program within the Kinder Institute for Urban Research. CERCL collaborates with Houston-area schools to bridge educational gaps for underrepresented or economically disadvantaged students. “We watched that gift benefit thousands of HISD students,” Charlos reflects, “and it inspired us to continue supporting programs with a broad reach and deep impact.”

This year, Charlos and Lee made a commitment to Rice’s Office of Academic Support for Undergraduate Students (OASUS), which offers peer tutoring through the Drop-In Study Center, Peer-Assisted Learning Study groups (PALS) and an accessible testing center that provides academic accommodations. “Scholarships are essential,” Charlos explains, “but for many, particularly first-generation and low-income students, the challenge goes beyond tuition.” Lee adds, “Without strong support systems, navigating college can feel like going to the moon — unfamiliar and overwhelming. OASUS can help bridge that gap.”

Charlos knows firsthand the value of an encouraging environment. “Supportive professors and staff shaped me,” she recalls. “At Rice, I felt my world expanded — I gained mentors and exposure to opportunities. Rice gave me the resources to succeed.”

After earning degrees in chemical engineering and economics in 1998, followed by an MBA in 2006, Charlos built a career at BP. Now retired, she and Lee volunteer on campus and are building a startup company in Portugal.

In May 2025, Charlos and Lee celebrated their son Julian’s graduation from Rice with a degree in mechanical engineering. “That milestone reaffirmed our commitment to supporting future Rice students,” Lee says. “It’s a given that we will ensure our kids have access to education. The difference maker is ensuring our neighbors’ kids have access as well. We are all part of a global community of neighbors.”

Accelerate the Vision

Charlos Ward ’98, ’06 and Lee Riley are investing in programs that help every Rice student thrive — in and beyond the classroom.

To learn how you can support academic success and belonging through initiatives like OASUS, contact Sara L. Rice, executive director of development at slrice@rice.edu or 713-348-3189.