Q: How long have you worked at Rice?
A: 16 years on Aug. 1.
Q: What is your favorite part about working for the university?
A: I can be part of the mariachi Luna Llena.
Q: What do you want people to know about living in Houston?
A: It is a great melting pot! There are representations of many cultures and their expressions such as cuisine, dance and music. Houston is also in the path of many migratory birds.
Q: What do you do in your downtime?
A: Downtime? What is that? I am usually quite busy. I love music, so I am either performing with the Rice Mariachi Luna Llena or dancing salsa and bachata. I also love the outdoors (camping, hiking, birding), practicing yoga, writing music, traveling and crafting. I am a very curious person, so I am constantly exploring new things. Something I strive to do is share my Mexican heritage, so I host several gatherings to share traditions like Dia de los Muertos or teach the mariachi how to make tamales.
Q: What’s your favorite spot on campus to show someone?
A: I always want to show people the trees and nature at Rice, so I take them on a long walk and finish at the Brochstein Pavilion or Valhalla.
Q: What’s the most exciting time of year for you as it relates to Rice?
A: Probably the end of the spring semester because I get to celebrate those who are graduating, and we get to play one last big concert: the Mariachi Annual Spectacular. Since it is the last concert for our seniors, we get to recognize them there too with friends and family. It is free, so everyone is welcome.
Q: What’s the one thing that makes Rice special to you?
A: The people at Rice are simply fantastic: students, staff and faculty. Some of my closest friends are alumni or related to Rice.
Q: If you could be Sammy The Owl for a day, what would you do?
A: Go with the mariachi to underserved schools to give public concerts and talk about college. I would like to encourage kids to continue studying and aiming high. They can maybe one day be an Owl!
Q: How would you describe your experience as a Rice employee?
A: It is a team effort. I like working at Rice because everyone is willing to help; it is a common goal to advance the university, and we all play our part from our particular role.
Q: Where do you see Rice in 25 years?
A: Still leading in many research fields, attracting great talent and having more satellite campuses.
Q: Describe Rice University in four words or less.
A: Research, culturally diverse and community.
Q: What else have we not talked about yet that merits discussion?
A: The biodiversity on campus. Our proximity to the coast, woods and water bodies makes it possible to visit different ecosystems. The Rice campus is situated between a big green space (Hermann Park) and a very forested neighborhood, so we are a sanctuary for urban and migratory fauna. In addition, our campus is designated an arboretum. How cool is that?