Q: How long have you worked at Rice?
A: Three years.
Q: What is your favorite part about working for the university?
A: Of course the students make every day fun and interesting. At the Center for Civic Leadership, I oversee our international programs and fellowships, so I have the privilege of witnessing students’ growth and how they see the world differently after engaging with our community partners throughout Houston and around the world. It never gets old and is definitely the mission moment I come back to when remembering why I’m here.
Q: What do you want people to know about living in Houston?
A: Houston has an incredible folk art scene! I love taking visitors from out of town to the Art Car Parade and the Beer Can House.
Q: What do you do in your downtime?
A: I like fiddling with new arts and crafts (I’ve recently gotten into making miniatures) and riding my bike. I’m planning my first solo bike-packing trip between Austin and San Antonio this fall.
Q: What’s your favorite spot on campus to show someone?
A: KTRU and Valhalla.
Q: What’s the most exciting time of year for you as it relates to Rice?
A: It’s a tie between the end of spring when all my students are nervous/excited about starting their abroad experiences and the beginning of fall when they come back to campus and have a ton of fun stories to share. Also, as a resident associate at Jones College, O-Week and Beer Bike are times when the energy around campus is palpable.
Q: What’s the one thing that makes Rice special to you?
A: The beautiful campus. I love that I see more trees on my walk to the office than the average person does in a whole day.
Q: If you could be Sammy The Owl for a day, what would you do?
A: Converse with the barred owls that I hear hooting over by Huff House.
Q: How would you describe your experience as a Rice employee?
A: I am grateful to work at an institution that has the resources to support high-impact student experiences through the CCL. I’ve been able to lead a lot of new initiatives and implement my ideas because I’m with a team that embodies the spirit of “Yeah, let’s try it!”
Q: Where do you see Rice in 25 years?
A: In 25 years, I hope that Rice continues moving toward a vision of a globally connected and inclusive institution.
Q: Describe Rice University in four words or less.
A: Quirky, immersive, evolving.
Q: What else have we not talked about yet that merits discussion?
A: The campus post office is hands down the best post office I’ve ever been to.