Student Health Services Commission
Mission Statement:
The Student Health Services Commission aims to increase accessibility to health resources in the Rice and the Houston community. We serve as a liaison to our on-campus student health center by increasing awareness about health services and issues, hosting campus events that promote healthy eating habits, and providing free menstrual products. To achieve these goals, our commission is subdivided into three sub-commissions: Menstrual Product Accessibility Program (MPAP), Nutrition, and Outreach/Visibility.
Our Resources:
Proposed Initiatives:
Menstrual Product Accessibility Program (MPAP)
The MPAP subcommission aims to foster menstrual equity by increasing accessibility to free menstrual products for all menstruators on campus.
Proposed Projects:
Increase menstrual product dispensers across campus
Create kits containing menstrual products for off-campus students
Collaborate with campus organizations (Deeds Not Words, Period@Rice) for outreach events
Host health events with speakers
Nutrition
The nutrition subcommission strives to increase students’ awareness of healthy food options and eating habits across campus.
Proposed Projects:
Increase healthy late-night food options on campus
Meal Swipe Donation Program (with Student Success Initiatives and Rice Housing and Dining): Increase the number of meal swipes to be donated to students
Receive accurate allergen labels on food options in serveries
Increase the number of healthy dessert options
Host a healthy snacking event during finals week
Outreach/Visibility
The outreach/visibility subcommission serves to spread awareness about different aspects of health. It also serves to market and advertise Student Health Services.
Proposed Projects:
Expand awareness for student health, including services provided in Student Health Services
Create a website/text service for students to make online appointments at Student Health Services
Create a guide for the types of insurance and how students can maximize benefits from their insurance plan (ex: wellness and preventive health services such as free annual exams, and routine checkups)
Host a gratitude tree event in conjunction with the Nutrition subcommittee’s healthy snacking event
Collaborate with Rice Escape to promote awareness regarding student health
Commission Board
Co-Chair
Olivia Seo
Hello! My name is Olivia Seo, and I am a sophomore from Brown College. I am a pre-dental Health Sciences and French major from Oklahoma City, OK. I love thrifting, talking with friends, baking, and all things sportsy. Last year, I was involved with the nutrition subcommission of this commission. Now, I am one of the Co-chairs for the Student Health Services Commission, and I am so excited to get more involved with SA this year!
Email: os22@rice.edu
Co-Chair
Kalina Tsung
Hi! My name is Kalina Tsung, and I am a junior at Will Rice College majoring in biosciences. I served as the co-chair for last year’s commission, and we worked to install free menstrual product dispensers and host smoothie bowl study breaks. Aside from the SA, I love baking, playing Just Dance, and going to cafes with friends. I look forward to working on a variety of new projects this year and staying connected with you all!
Email: kt53@rice.edu
Outreach
Jordan Altman
Hello all! My name is Jordan Altman. I am a proud Lovetteer, and I am majoring in Neuroscience. I am one of the outreach leads for this year!
I pride myself in my abnormally large costume collection, and I am a gymnast. By gymnast, of course, I mean that I can’t land a single flip or do any gymnastic techniques, but feel free to stop by and see me fall on my face in front of Lovett sometime!
Email: jra15@rice.edu
Outreach
Neel Mallipeddi
Hey everyone! My name is Neel Mallipeddi, and I’m a sophomore from Sid Rich majoring in computer science and doing pre-med. I’m from Dallas, Texas, and I love to bake (my personal favorite recipe is sticky toffee pudding).
I’m super interested in using technology to improve the health and wellness of all people, and I’m looking forward to continuing that effort on the commission!
Email: nam12@rice.edu
Outreach
Esteban Pierrend
Hello! My name is Esteban Pierrend, and I’m a freshman from Jones. In my free time, I love to watch soccer, hit the gym, or practice my soccer skills. This year, I’m serving on the outreach committee, and I really look forward to working on projects that can benefit the whole Rice community!
Email: ep78@rice.edu
Outreach
Veronica Paz Agreda
Hey y'all! My name is Veronica Paz, and I will be serving as one of the NSRs for Baker this year. I am a political science major on the pre-law track living in Houston but originally from Venezuela. I love reading romance books, re-watching Barbie movies, writing letters to friend, and draw here and there. I look forward to getting things started!
Email: vp33@rice.edu
MPAP
Lakshmi Aravindan
Hello! My name is Lakshmi Aravindan, and I am a freshman at Lovett College majoring in Biosciences and minoring in Medical Humanities from Dallas, TX. I’m involved with the MPAP subcommission of the Student Health Services Commission. Outside of SA, I like talking with my friends, going on the swings, cooking, and exploring different spots around campus. I'm excited to be involved with SA this upcoming year and can't wait to collaborate with everyone on new ideas and projects!
Email: la61@rice.edu
MPAP
Nikita Chowdree
Email: nc75@rice.edu
MPAP
Karyn Fu
Hi! I'm Karyn, a sophomore at Martel studying Biosciences and Social Policy Analysis, with minors in Data Science and Medical Humanities, on a pre-medical track. I'm originally from Los Angeles and in my free time, I love to bake, craft, and discover new cafes and restaurants. I'm excited to serve on the Menstrual Product Accessibility Program subcommission and to continue to promote menstrual health and reproductive justice both on-campus and in our greater Houston community!
Email: kf50@rice.edu
MPAP
Riya Yarlagadda
Hey! My name is Riya Yarlagadda, and I am a sophomore from Lovett College. I am a pre-med Bioscience major from Austin, Texas! I am on the MPAP sub commission of the Student Health Services Commission this year, and I am excited to start working on and implementing new projects. Aside from SA, I love to dance, bake, hike, listen to music, and pick up a good book!
Email: ry25@rice.edu
MPAP
Iris Rivera
Hello! My name is Olivia Seo, and I am a sophomore from Brown College. I am a pre-dental Health Sciences and French major from Oklahoma City, OK. I love thrifting, talking with friends, baking, and all things sportsy. Last year, I was involved with the nutrition subcommission of this commission. Now, I am one of the Co-chairs for the Student Health Services Commission, and I am so excited to get more involved with SA this year!
Email: ir32@rice.edu
Nutrition
Addy Nguyen
Hi! My name is Kalina Tsung, and I am a junior at Will Rice College majoring in biosciences. I served as the co-chair for last year’s commission, and we worked to install free menstrual product dispensers and host smoothie bowl study breaks. Aside from the SA, I love baking, playing Just Dance, and going to cafes with friends. I look forward to working on a variety of new projects this year and staying connected with you all!
Email: an116@rice.edu
Nutrition
Sahil Veeravalli
Hi! My name is Sahil Veeravalli, and I am a freshman from Jones College. I am from Illinois, and I’m majoring in Biosciences. In my free time, I like to play table tennis, play badminton, and I like to dance. This year, I am involved with the nutrition subcommission, and I am excited to work on new projects this year!
Email: Sahil.Veeravalli@rice.edu
Nutrition
Athena Luo
Hi! My name is Kalina Tsung, and I am a junior at Will Rice College majoring in biosciences. I served as the co-chair for last year’s commission, and we worked to install free menstrual product dispensers and host smoothie bowl study breaks. Aside from the SA, I love baking, playing Just Dance, and going to cafes with friends. I look forward to working on a variety of new projects this year and staying connected with you all!
Email: al182@rice.edu