When Katharine Bonilla ’25 was in elementary school in Chicago, she struggled to find the support she needed academically and didn’t feel accepted at school. Then in middle school, two teachers stood out from the rest and provided her with the mentorship she needed to thrive academically and socially. Now, she wants to help others follow in her footsteps.
Katharine is pairing her passion for mentoring with the skills she is learning as a computer science major in her role as a peer career advisor at the Center for Career Development, where she helps fellow Rice students find internships. She is also a member of RemixCS, where she teaches introductory computer science to Houston high school students.
“I love mentoring people,” Katharine says. “I want to support people and make them feel like everything they’re doing is worth it. I’d love to start my own after-school organization that caters to helping people.”
“I wouldn’t be here without Rice’s donors, and my family and I are thankful for the Rice donors who make my scholarships possible,” she says. “With the Rice community’s support, I’m able to pursue my dreams and, in turn, I hope to help other people succeed and to support my family. Now I feel like I can accomplish anything I dream of doing.”
With generous support from the Rice Annual Fund, the university continues to offer Sarah and other Owls the best in financial aid, residential college life, student activities, teaching and research. Learn more about how your gift to the Rice Annual Fund can make an impact.
