Q: How long have you worked at Rice University?
A: 12.5 years
Q: What is your favorite part about working for Rice?
A: Getting to interact and collaborate with people from all over the world.
Q: What do you want people to know about living in Houston?
A: Houston has something for everything! No matter what you're interested in, there's a good chance you'll find it in Houston.
Q: What do you do in your down time?
A: I love visiting National and State Parks. When at home I read, a lot!
Q: What’s your favorite spot on campus to show to someone?
A: The frog wall (at Anderson Hall). I absolutely love seeing people's faces the first time they try it!
Q: What’s the most exciting time of year for you as it relates to Rice?
A: August is always exciting when we finally get to meet all the incoming international students in-person, but for me the best time is International Education Week in November (https://oiss.rice.edu/iew). It's such a great opportunity to celebrate the amazing and vibrant international community we are privileged to have at Rice.
Q: What’s the one thing that makes Rice special to you?
A: The diversity. It's so cool to get to work with students, scholars, faculty, and staff with such diverse backgrounds and stories.
Q: If you could be Sammy The Owl for a day, what would you do?
A: A photoshoot of Sammy posing with all the various owl-themed pieces of art on campus. And with any people who might want photos with Sammy too!
Q: How would you describe your experience as a Rice employee?
A: I have been lucky to get to work at OISS, where I have been given so many great opportunities for personal and professional growth. The field of international education is always changing, which makes it interesting and challenging, and never boring!
Q: Where do you see Rice in 25 years?
A: I hope in the next 25 years Rice continues to excel and be at the forefront of progress, while still holding on to the special sense of friendliness and intimacy that comes from being a smaller institution.
Q: Describe Rice in four words or less.
A: Beautiful, quirky, unique, squirrelful (am I allowed to make up words?)
Q: What else have we not talked about yet that merits discussion?
A: The Fondren Library is one of the best buildings on campus! It's a great place to hang out and relax, they have some amazing art, and who doesn't love having a tremendous collection of books to check out just 2 minutes from your office!
Want to submit a colleague for the Staff Spotlight? Email Sam Byrd, internal communications writer, at sb166@rice.edu .