Q: How long have you worked at Rice?
A: Four years.
Q: What is your favorite part about working for the university?
A: Rice is my alma mater. Building the next generation of Rice Owls for a place I’ve been calling home for all these years is so exciting.
Q: What do you want people to know about living in Houston?
A: This city has something for everyone: Delicious food, accessible green spaces and great live sports venues are a few of my favorite highlights in Houston.
Q: What do you do in your downtime?
A: I love to solve jigsaw puzzles, sudoku and word searches. After a long day of work, I enjoy watching one of my comfort TV shows (“Gilmore Girls,” “The West Wing”) while drinking a cup of herbal tea.
Q: What’s your favorite spot on campus to show someone?
A: I love showing the exterior wings of Duncan Hall, which are intended to depict the four elemental themes — earth, water, wind and fire. My favorite wing is the western wing across from Keck Hall dedicated to Greek mythology, displaying Poseidon’s trident (water), Persephone’s six pomegranate seeds (earth), Hermes’ staff (air) and Zeus’ thunderbolt (fire).
Q: What’s the most exciting time of year for you as it relates to Rice?
A: April. During this month, our office hosts hundreds of future Rice Owls and their families on campus, and the flora is especially beautiful. And, of course, you can’t forget Beer Bike.
Q: What’s the one thing that makes Rice special to you?
A: People are proud to be a part of the Rice community. Whether it is a student giving a campus tour or a staff member celebrating 40 years of employment here, the Rice love is palpable and authentic.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: I have the distinct privilege of connecting students with transformative educational opportunities. A Rice degree can be truly life-changing.
Q: What are your most memorable accomplishments?
A: I had the honor of serving as a marshal for my alma mater, Lovett College, during this year’s undergraduate commencement ceremony. Four years after my own graduation, it was a full-circle experience filled with so much joy and pride.
Q: What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?
A: I enjoy staying active. I love to country line dance, play golf with my dad or go on “hot girl walks” around my neighborhood.
Q: What advice would you give to new employees?
A: Build community outside your office. There are so many different employee units, but we all have at least one thing in common — we’re invested in the growth and success of Rice. A great way to build your network outside your department is by attending events hosted by Staff Council or Rice Employee Health and Well-Being.
Q: Would you share a bit about your background and career journey?
A: I graduated from Rice University with my bachelor’s degree in sport management in May 2021. I have been working at Rice full time ever since.
Q: What’s your favorite lunch spot or snack?
A: When the weather cooperates, I enjoy eating lunch at the outdoor seating area between Brochstein Pavilion and Fondren Library.
Q: What’s your secret talent?
A: I make country line dancing unnecessarily athletic. You can find me adding an extra spin, heel click or another cheeky stylization on the dance floor.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
A: Age does not equate to experience. Advocate for yourself and never underestimate the power of your positive impact.
Q: If you could be Sammy The Owl for a day, what would you do?
A: Cheer on our Rice women’s soccer team at Holloway Field. I love all our Rice Athletics teams, but I have a soft spot for our soccer Owls as their former student manager.
Q: How would you describe your experience as a Rice employee?
A: I learned that Rice’s unique culture of care is not just limited to the student body but also to faculty and staff. There are individuals in my office who authentically support me both in my career development and during times of uncertainty in my personal life.
Q: Where do you see Rice in 25 years?
A: I see Rice growing to be a thought leader in higher education while maintaining its unique, unconventional and quirky identity.
Q: What’s your favorite memory from your time with Rice?
A: Watching the Rice women’s soccer team win the conference championship tournament on home turf in front of fully packed Holloway Field bleachers in spring 2021. Rice undergraduates have strong residential college pride, but that postseason sporting event reminded me that we’re all one Rice.
Q: Describe Rice in four words or less.
A: Personalized scale, global impact.