After 12 years with Rice, Dutton says goodbye

Photos by Tommy LaVergne

Colleen Dutton, director of employee relations and talent management, said goodbye to many of the staff and faculty members she has worked with during her 12 years at Rice at a May 24 reception at Hanszen College Commons. She will leave Rice at the end of the month to become assistant vice president for human resources at the University of Texas at Dallas.

“For 12 years Colleen has guided, cajoled, mentored, sweet-talked and led us toward becoming a better employer,” Associate Vice President for Human Resources Mary Cronin wrote in her announcement of Dutton’s new position. “Under her watch, Rice has been named a Best Place to Work in Houston for six years in a row and the winner this year of the HR IMPACT Award for Organizational Excellence. She has rolled out the highly successful TEAMS program, Centennial Stars and new approaches to compensation planning, employee recognition and employee assistance. Most importantly, we have maintained the trust of our staff and faculty and have respected and treasured their commitment to Rice. She will be a hard act to follow.”

Pictured at the reception, from left, are Carlos Garcia, senior associate general counsel; Dutton; Cronin; and Kevin Kirby, vice president for administration.