Rice University is home to an abundance of brilliant minds, game-changing research and unique stories. Now alumni and friends don’t have to be on campus — or even in Houston — to experience Rice’s vibrant intellectual life. Each month, we’re bringing Rice’s spirit of lifelong learning beyond the hedges, to you!
Creating Impact at HERC through Education Partnerships with Dr. Erin Baumgartner
How can education partnerships help bridge the gap in schools between what policy dictates and what actually happens in the classroom? How is the Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC) helping make Rice a leader in this space?
Dr. Erin Baumgartner is the director of HERC at Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research. She and David discuss how HERC partners with eight Houston-area public school districts to produce actionable research informing policies affecting more than 700,000 students.
Dr. Baumgartner describes joining HERC as a postdoc in 2015 and staying because districts use the findings to make decisions, unlike research that “sits on a shelf.” She explains research-practice partnerships, shares examples including research that led a district to open hundreds of new pre-K seats and work expanding wraparound supports for families, and discusses broader issues such as Texas accountability systems.
1 Jul 2026
The Jagged Edge of Innovation: The Current Entrepreneur Climate in Tech with Dr. Shay Har-Noy
Why has there never been a better time to start a company? How do you know if your company is one that needs investment or one that should be home-grown? What does every entrepreneur need to bring in 2026 just to sit at the table in 2026 that used to be a rarity and an indicator of going above and beyond?
Shay Har-Noy is the managing director of Techstars Boulder, and has spent his career at the forefront of space technology, geospatial data, and AI-driven enterprises, helping to scale complex deep tech solutions from early-stage concepts to global market leaders.
Shay dives into what he’s learned about deep tech, AI, and company building. He traces his path from a Rice professor’s push to pursue a PhD to leading National Geographic–backed expeditions using satellites, drones, LiDAR, and radar to search for Genghis Khan’s tomb, which resulted in a documentary series and inspired his startup Tomnod; after partnering with DigitalGlobe/GeoEye, Tomnod was acquired by DigitalGlobe, where Shay oversaw AI efforts, web distribution, and a move from on-prem storage to the cloud.
Shay defines deep tech as businesses with defensible technical IP moats - something beyond software, and argues AI makes prototyping cheaper but shifts investor signals, advises founders to focus on real business risks and whether venture funding fits, and highlights moats like data, integrations, and compliance. Shay and David also note the growing interest in AI governance and cost control.
Let us know you’re listening by filling out this form. We will be sending listeners Beyond the Hedges Swag every month.
Episode Guide:
01:00 Deep Tech Origins
01:26 PhD Mindset and Curiosity
03:33 From Mongolia to Startup Life
05:23 Tomnod Acquisition and AI Scale
07:34 Rebuilding Techstars Boulder
09:17 What Deep Tech Means
11:48 GenAI Changes Startup Building
15:24 Fundraising Reality and Moats
20:10 Skills for the Next Generation
23:47 Jagged Edge and De-Risking
26:29 Hot Spaces AI Governance
29:04 Genghis Khan’s Tomb Update and Rapid Fire Questions
30:37 Rice Box Question Story
Beyond The Hedges is a production of Rice University and is produced by University FM.
8 Apr 2026
Student Leadership: The Rice SA and GSA with Emily Oppold and Trevor Tobey
On today’s episode, host David Mansouri speaks with Emily Oppold, 2025-26 president of the Graduate Student Association, and Trevor Tobey, 2025-26 president of the Student Association, about their time at Rice and experiences at the school and in their student government positions.
Emily and Trevor discuss their paths to Rice, leadership motivations, and what the SA and GSA really do. Emily, a third-year PhD statistics student, was drawn to Rice by its Houston and Texas Medical Center collaborations. She emphasizes GSA advocacy and community-building for a graduate population that is 41% international, with focuses including dining, professional development, alumni connections, and support for graduate caregivers.
Trevor, a senior studying economics and sports management, describes the SA as a bridge to the administration to advocate and illuminate student issues and can help improve the undergraduate quality of life. Their conversation covers managing growth, changes in social culture, fostering dialogue across differences via institutional neutrality and free-speech efforts, and adapting to AI’s impact on teaching, integrity, and trust in higher education.
Let us know you’re listening by filling out this form. We will be sending listeners Beyond the Hedges Swag every month.
Episode Guide:
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
00:44 Emily’s Path to Rice
02:18 Trevor’s Path to Rice
03:33 Why Student Leadership
06:59 What the Student Association Does
08:35 What the Graduate Student Association Does
10:13 Top Student Issues Today
14:22 What Alumni Should Know
17:36 Protecting Traditions
18:57 Leading Diverse Voices
23:44 AI in the Classroom
27:03 Hopes for Rice Future
30:36 Rapid Fire Questions
Beyond The Hedges is a production of Rice University and is produced by University FM.
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