Q: How long have you worked at Rice?
A: 19 years.
Q: What is your favorite part about working for the university?
A: Working with so many different schools, departments and individuals across the campus.
Q: What do you want people to know about living in Houston?
A: Considering we are the most diverse city in the nation and one of the most internationally, if you are looking for a specific type of cuisine, the odds are that we have it. Also, get used to no zoning. That tends to shock people moving here from out of town.
Q: What do you do in your downtime?
A: I watch a lot of cooking shows and probably way too much football and soccer.
Q: What’s your favorite spot on campus to show someone?
A: This is a hard one since I give tours for new employee orientation around most of the campus. If I had to pick just one, I would say Lovett Hall. It’s where it all began. If I could pick a second, it would be Valhalla.
Q: What’s the most exciting time of year for you as it relates to Rice?
A: The beginning of the fall semester. The energy the students bring to the campus is amazing.
Q: What’s the one thing that makes Rice special to you?
A: The sense of community and the feeling that the staff on campus genuinely care about the success and reputation of the university.
Q: If you could be Sammy The Owl for a day, what would you do?
A: Go to as many staff offices and departments on campus as possible, giving high-fives and taking pictures.
Q: How would you describe your experience as a Rice employee?
A: Fulfilling. My role allows me to offer people jobs, give tours of the campus and introduce them to all things Rice. I really enjoy that.
Q: Where do you see Rice in 25 years?
A: I believe Rice will continue to be a leading research institution on a global scale with top faculty, researchers and students for both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Q: Describe Rice University in four words or less.
A: Innovative, friendly, unconventional, dynamic.