Q: How long have you worked at Rice?
A: 32 years.
Q: What is your favorite part about working for the university?
A: The people — the students, everyone who supports them and my colleagues in the enrollment division.
Q: What do you want people to know about living in Houston?
A: Exceptional diversity of all types, rich arts scene and one of the best culinary cities in the U.S.
Q: What do you do in your down time?
A: I perform with Paul Hope Cabarets as well as other theatrical organizations as opportunities arise, and I am on the board of Thunderclap Productions.
Q: What’s your favorite spot on campus to show someone?
A: I will usually take them to Brochstein Pavilion for a coffee or lunch, where you can see some nice views of the campus.
Q: What’s the most exciting time of year for you as it relates to Rice?
A: I love the time around O-Week when we are welcoming the new students to campus, but I also love the time around commencement when we celebrate the end of the Rice journey for so many students I saw arrive on campus, especially my Brownies of Brown College.
Q: What’s the one thing that makes Rice special to you?
A: Excellence — we strive for excellence in everything we do, and we never rest on our laurels.
Q: If you could be Sammy The Owl for a day, what would you do?
A: I would probably walk over to Hermann Park and go around greeting people at the zoo and at Miller Outdoor Theatre.
Q: How would you describe your experience as a Rice employee?
A: My journey has been full of challenges, growth and the chance to make a difference.
Q: Where do you see Rice in 25 years?
A: A global university with satellite campuses all over the world and possibly beyond given our ties to the space industry.
Q: Describe Rice University in four words or less.
A: Daring, collaborative, welcoming and impactful.
Q: What else have we not talked about yet that merits discussion?
A: Student empowerment — I believe Rice prepares, guides and inspires students to be leaders and to impact the campus and opportunities in ways that are unprecedented when compared to other colleges and universities. We set the bar high at Rice for student engagement and success, and students always raise the bar.