Staff spotlight: Carissa Zimmerman

Director and Assistant Teaching Professor, Center for Teaching Excellence

Carissa Zimmerman

Q: How long have you worked at Rice?

Carissa Zimmerman
Carissa Zimmerman

A: 13 years

Q: What is your favorite part about working for the university?

A: I was a faculty member in psychological sciences for 11 years before I took my current position in the Center for Teaching Excellence. I loved guiding students to see all the ways that cognitive psychology and data interpretation are interwoven in their daily lives. Now, I channel that love for teaching into collaborating with others to make evidence-informed and innovative changes that improve our students’ learning.

Q: What do you want people to know about living in Houston?

A: Houston isn’t what people think of when they think of stereotypical Texas. It’s an extremely diverse city with some of the best food, museums and performing arts in the country.

Q: What do you do in your downtime?

A: I love to travel — this summer, I’m going to Spain with my husband (Nick) and daughter (Amelia, age 9), to Washington, D.C., with my mom, and to New Hampshire with my best friend. I also like to read, play video games and crochet.

Q: What’s your favorite spot on campus to show someone?

A: Wiess College, of course!

Q: What’s the most exciting time of year for you as it relates to Rice?

A: In my role as a residential associate at Wiess College (Team Family Wiess!), I absolutely love O-Week and Beer Bike. The energy in the colleges is contagious, and I love the cheesy spirit that’s associated with these events. In the Center for Teaching Excellence, I think the best time of year is when we host the University Awards Ceremony; there’s such a celebratory energy in honoring our best teachers, mentors and scholars … and a deep sense of pride in being a part of this university.

Q: What’s the one thing that makes Rice special to you?

A: The community — I’ve developed so many fantastic friendships and connections during my time here, and I can’t imagine working anywhere else. And of course, I have to give a shoutout to all my Wiessmen and our Wiess core team; they make Rice home.

Q: If you could be Sammy The Owl for a day, what would you do?

A: I would love to be Sammy The Owl for a day (I was actually the mascot, LeeRoy the Tiger, at my undergraduate institution)! I’d definitely pay Reggie a visit, drop in on a few of my colleagues’ classes, hang out at Brochstein and then stop by my daughter’s elementary school to say hello.

Q: How would you describe your experience as a Rice employee?

A: I would describe it as an evolution. I started at Rice as a temporary lecturer and eventually became an award-winning instructor and leader in teaching on campus. The role and perception of nontenure track faculty at Rice has changed a lot (for the better!) in the time that I have been here, and that’s also played a part in my experience here. I love Rice, and I am excited to see what other evolutions the future holds.

Q: Where do you see Rice in 25 years?

A: I hope that Rice has further galvanized its reputation as a leading undergraduate institution that is deeply dedicated to outstanding teaching. I aspire to growing the Center for Teaching Excellence into a hub for innovative teaching and research in pedagogical sciences as Rice continues to invest in interdisciplinary and cutting-edge institutes.

Q: Describe Rice University in four words or less.

A: Nerdy, innovative, community.

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