Building Something That’s Never Existed Before with First Ever Chao College President Elijah

What does it take to lead when there’s no playbook?In this episode of Leading Owls, we sit down with Elijah White, the first-ever President of Chao College at Rice University. From helping sort mail as a first-year student to leading an entire residential college from the ground up, Elijah’s leadership journey is a masterclass in jumping in, figuring it out, and growing along the way.Elijah shares what it actually feels like to build a college from scratch—where traditions don’t exist yet, culture is still forming, and every decision helps shape something that will last for generations. He opens up about leading through uncertainty, learning to trust others (and himself), and why leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being willing to step up anyway.We also dive into how his experience working at Chick-fil-A—where he became a supervisor at just 17—prepared him to lead under pressure, manage teams, and develop the confidence to take on big responsibility early.One of the most compelling ideas from this episode? Elijah’s concept of “increasing your luck surface area”—and how saying yes to opportunities (even when you’re unsure) can open doors you never expected.Whether you’re a current student leader, stepping into a new role this fall, or just trying to figure out your next move, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership, uncertainty, and growth.🎧 Tune in to hear: What it’s like to be the first to lead something entirely new  How to build culture when nothing exists yet  Why leadership starts long before you have a title  Lessons from leading teams in high-pressure environments  How embracing uncertainty can actually give you an edge Plus: rapid-fire Rice favorites, leadership advice for first-years, and Elijah’s vision for what Chao College will become decades from now.Listen on your favorite platform: Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon MusicThe Leading Owls Podcast is hosted and produced by the Doerr Institute for New Leaders. Edited by: Blake C. HollawayReady for more insights from inspiring leaders at Rice University?Subscribe to the Leading Owls Podcast and stay updated on our latest episodes!The Doerr Institute for New Leaders helps Rice students unlock their leadership potential.Because leaders are not born; they are grown.We offer programs to Rice University students that expand upon your diverse qualities and increase your capacity to make a difference in the world. Connect with the Doerr!Registration for Doerr Summer Programs is OPEN at http://riceleader.org/Follow Doerr on TikTokFollow Doerr on InstagramGet Matched! Take the Doerr Institute Match Survey and find the perfect program to start your leadership journey. Download our Leader Development Log