Q: How long have you worked at Rice?
A: I’m what we like to call a “boomerang employee.” I spent five years at Rice, ventured out for a while and then came back home about nine months ago. This return has been a meaningful chapter in my professional journey, full of opportunities to create, collaborate and help others grow.
Q: What is your favorite part about working for the university?
A: The opportunity to collaborate with brilliant, driven people who are deeply committed to excellence and to help turn complex challenges into clear, strategic action. Rice fosters an environment where thoughtfulness and innovation aren’t just encouraged but expected, and that’s exactly where I thrive. There’s also a real sense of pride that comes with being part of such a respected institution. When I tell people I work at Rice, the response is almost always an enthusiastic “Wow!”
Q: What do you want people to know about living in Houston?
A: Houston is an incredible city to live in. I’m originally from Mississippi, so I really appreciate that it still has that Southern warmth and hospitality but with the scale and opportunity of a big city. It’s vibrant, diverse and full of possibility, whether you’re trying new food from around the world, discovering local art or collaborating with people who are driving change. There’s truly something for everyone here and so much space to grow, create and be active. Houston has an energy that inspires big thinking and meaningful connection.
Q: What do you do in your downtime?
A: I really value my solitude and make a point to protect it. I often spend it reading books on leadership and business to help me think more strategically, while contemporary fiction lets me explore different perspectives and unwind. Journaling is another way I reflect, organize my thoughts and gain clarity. I recommend brain dumps to people I coach, so I follow suit. I also reset through music, trying out different genres. Right now, I’m really into deep house, European eclectic fusion jazz and Baroque.
I also enjoy indulging in luxury spas, traveling to unique places that offer rich cultural experiences and spending time with my protege niece Ava Grace and my nephew Eli “Duke.” These moments of connection and exploration help me recharge and return to campus with energy, focus and perspective.
Q: What’s your favorite spot on campus to show someone?
A: When I was a kid, I traveled a lot during the summers with my parents, and I was fascinated by bridges with arches — think the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge or the Hernando de Soto Bridge in Memphis. Naturally on campus, I find myself drawn to the arches along the walkway of Maxfield Hall, home of the mechanical engineering department, which is also connected to the Campanile Tower. I’ve captured many photos of this view and the archways; there’s something about the combination of architecture and intentional design that feels both grounded and expansive.
Now that I work supporting real estate and facilities and capital planning, I have an even greater appreciation for our campus infrastructure. We truly have some of the brightest individuals working day in and day out to sustain Rice physically while preparing for its future. It’s truly remarkable.
Q: What’s the most exciting time of year for you as it relates to Rice?
A: Fall is my favorite time of year. There are so many events and activities that surround a fresh semester, O-Week, Parents Weekend, Alumni Weekend and the many holiday celebrations leading to year end that bring the Rice community together. Walking across campus in the cooler weather is always a treat, and I love taking in the energy of students, faculty and staff as the semester begins. I’m always energized at the start of a new academic or strategic cycle — those moments when people are setting intentions, clarifying vision and mobilizing toward bold goals. It’s when clarity and momentum intersect.
Q: What’s the one thing that makes Rice special to you?
A: Rice is a place where intellect meets heart. It’s rare to find an institution that values both rigorous thinking and deep humanity, and it’s that blend that makes transformation possible. What makes Rice truly special is the abundance of opportunities for learning and engagement across the community. From lecture series that challenge your thinking to exhibits at the Moody Center for the Arts that inspire to the many performances and recitals at the Shepherd School, there’s always a chance to experience something new, deepen your knowledge or see the world from a different perspective.
I first experienced this blend of intellect and creativity when I attended a doctoral recital at the Shepherd School of Music before I moved to Houston. That moment gave me a firsthand appreciation for the energy, curiosity and artistry that defines Rice. It’s that constant access to intellectual, cultural and artistic experiences that makes Rice a place where growth is continuous and curiosity is celebrated.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: I love helping leaders and teams move from stuck to strategic. There’s something incredibly powerful about witnessing someone step into their next level of clarity and action and knowing I played a role in helping them get there.
What makes this work especially fulfilling is that it goes beyond individual coaching. I help shape people strategy, assess how teams and structures are organized and design approaches that create a sustainable workforce while elevating leadership and competency across the organization. Whether it’s guiding leaders through complex decisions or building systems that support growth, I enjoy helping the Rice community thrive strategically and operationally.
Seeing individuals and teams gain confidence, align on vision and take purposeful action keeps me energized every day. It’s a privilege and a reminder that thoughtful strategy and leadership development leave a lasting impact. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but the final product is the lasting legacy.
Q: What are your most memorable accomplishments?
A: Professionally, my most memorable moments are when a conversation shifts the direction of a team or when a leader takes a courageous step after gaining new insight. Those are the times I see strategy, clarity and action come together to create real impact.
Personally, it’s designing a life that balances “meeting the need” with values-based action. I’ve learned that meaningful impact doesn’t have to come at the expense of peace. Creating space for both allows me to show up fully in every part of my life.
Q: What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?
A: My weekly Sunday bloom. I enjoy creating flower arrangements using blooms from Trader Joe’s or local mom-and-pop flower shops. There’s something meditative and joyful about selecting colors, textures and shapes and then arranging them into something both creative and beautiful (and trying to keep them alive for as long as possible). It’s my weekly ritual, and I enjoy giving them away as gifts.
Above all, I’m focused on making time for creativity, for reflection and for giving back. Supporting people and causes I care about is a central part of my life, and I try to approach it with the same intention and care I bring to all my passions.
Q: What advice would you give to new employees?
A: Stay curious, and don’t underestimate the value you bring. Ask deeper questions, listen well and trust that your unique lens is part of why you’re here. Document your work and achievements. Your growth story is built one experience at a time, and it’s important to capture those moments of progress and impact.
Build strong relationships across the organization; you never know who might become your mentor, collaborator or even your future boss. Always read the room; timing, tone and context matter. Make sure what you share adds value and moves the conversation forward.
Most importantly, stay open to learning. Every interaction, project and challenge is a chance to better understand yourself, strengthen your work and contribute more meaningfully to the community around you.
Q: Would you share a bit about your background and career journey?
A: My career began in constituent relations, helping people stay connected to the organizations they care about, and later it grew into philanthropy and fundraising. That focus on understanding people and building meaningful connections naturally led me to human resources and organizational development.
With an academic background in communication sciences and disorders (speech pathology/audiology), I’m a nontraditional HR professional. Today, I like to say I help organizations “speak fluently,” especially their executive leaders. My work has evolved from process and policy to strategic partnership, advising leaders on navigating high-stakes change, complex dynamics and organizational transformation while simultaneously aligning people strategy with business objectives.
Q: What’s your favorite lunch spot or snack?
A: Most of my colleagues know I’m a beverage person. I usually have an iced matcha, coffee or sparkling water with me wherever I go. Since my office is near the Dandelion Cafe in the Ralph S. O’Connor Building for Engineering and Science, I tend to hop over there often and, honestly, give them all my money. The staff is wonderful; they know my name and my order. It’s a fun spot to run into people from across campus and for a few minutes feel like you’re not in the office.
Q: What’s your secret talent?
A: Turning emotionally charged or intellectually tangled conversations into clear, forward-moving paths, often in a single conversation.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
A: You don’t have to fix everything. Your value is in what you clarify, not what you carry.
Q: If you could be Sammy the Owl for a day, what would you do?
A: I’d perch somewhere unexpected on campus and watch the moments of real leadership and kindness happening behind the scenes. I’d also surprise students and colleagues with high-fives or gift cards (who doesn’t love a gift card?) and spread little moments of joy wherever I could. I think people often underestimate the impact of small gestures like a smile, a “good morning” or a simple wave.
Q: How would you describe your experience as a Rice employee?
A: Empowering. I’m trusted to bring strategy and clarity into critical moments, and that trust fuels real transformation.
Q: Where do you see Rice in 25 years?
A: I see Rice as a global model for strategic human development, a university known not only for academic rigor but also for cultivating visionary, emotionally intelligent leaders who shape the world with both insight and impact.
Q: What’s your favorite memory from your time with Rice?
A: Volunteering at Beer Bike. It’s an event that so many members of the community look forward to and such a unique Rice experience.
Q: Describe Rice in four words or less.
A: Intention, intellect, catalytic, impact.
Q: What else have we not talked about yet that merits discussion?
A: I think what we haven’t touched on yet is the importance of staying deeply connected to the people around us. Taking the time to truly get to know others, to give your time generously and to recognize the unique value each person brings to the community is, for me, the most rewarding part of life. Being kind, not just nice, and investing in your own growth go hand in hand because, as Leland Val Van de Wall said, “The degree to which a person can grow is directly proportional to the amount of truth they can accept about themselves without running away.” Staying present, authentic and engaged with both yourself and others is where the real richness lives.