Q: How long have you worked at Rice?
A: Almost seven years. Time flies when you are having fun.
Q: What is your favorite part about working for the university?
A: The people and the shared mission of higher education. It is inspiring to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who genuinely believe in advancing knowledge, conducting cutting-edge research and making education accessible to all.
Q: What do you want people to know about living in Houston?
A: Coming from Philadelphia and New Jersey, I know there is sometimes a perception about Texas that doesn’t always reflect what life is actually like here. Houston is the most diverse city in the world, and our food scene is truly unmatched. What makes Houston so special is the way diversity and different points of view flourish here. It is a city where people from all backgrounds come together, and it challenges you to check your norms at the door and stay open to new experiences. Not all people who live in Texas are the same, and Houston is an amazing example of that.
Q: What do you do in your downtime?
A: What don’t I do in my downtime might be the better question. I am a jack of all trades and a millennial living in the world of ChatGPT, YouTube and Google, so the world truly feels like my oyster. If I had to narrow it down, I would say spending time with my husband, our two kids, our moms and close friends (we have an open-door policy at our house). I also love doing anything creative, whether that is crafting, cooking or finding a new project to do with my kids. I am one of those people who cannot sit still for long, so there is always something happening.
Q: What’s your favorite spot on campus to show someone?
A: On campus, the piece of the Berlin Wall is my favorite. It is a powerful reminder of history and resilience.
Q: What’s the most exciting time of year for you as it relates to Rice?
A: April is definitely the most exciting time of year for me at Rice. There is such a buzz on campus with all of the year-end events and celebrations. One of my absolute favorites is the staff appreciation event, which Reggie and his team have made so impactful. It’s such a great moment to pause, celebrate the community and feel the collective energy that makes Rice so special.
Q: What’s the one thing that makes Rice special to you?
A: I love that Rice is an arboretum. You would never know that you are right next to the largest medical center in the world when you walk across campus. The trees, green spaces and calm atmosphere make it feel like its own little oasis in the middle of Houston. I also really appreciate the effort that goes into maintaining and preserving that beauty. I especially love the latest project in the quad, where they’ve planted Texas native flowers and plants to support our pollinators. It is such a thoughtful and inspiring example of how Rice values both its natural environment and its community.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: I especially love working with faculty and hearing about their research because there is something so energizing about seeing people light up when they talk about what they have created or discovered.
One of the most meaningful moments in my career was early on at Temple University when I helped prepare a dossier for a statistics professor going up for tenure. He had grown up in a small town in China with very limited resources, and when he received his tenure letter, he was overwhelmed with gratitude and emotion. He told me how much it meant for his family and hugged me, thanking me for helping make it possible. That experience has stayed with me because it reminded me that behind every case or process is a person’s life dream or mission, and that is what makes this work so fulfilling.
Q: What are your most memorable accomplishments?
A: One of my most memorable accomplishments has been serving as chair of the Staff Council. It really challenged me to broaden my perspective across all departments on campus and connect with people in new and meaningful ways.
Q: What advice would you give to new employees?
A: Don’t stay siloed. Join an employee resource group, get involved with Staff Council, go to campus events and make the effort to connect with people outside your department. Book a lunch, take a walk or start a conversation with someone new. Work becomes so much more meaningful when you lean into the community.
Q: Would you share a bit about your background and career journey?
A: I’m originally from the Philadelphia and New Jersey area and went to college at Temple University, where I studied biology, political science and business. I’ve always had too many interests, but that combination led me to my first job in the dean’s office of the business school — and that’s where I discovered how much I love working in academia.
After meeting my husband, who is a Texas native, I moved here and did a short stint in recruiting and sales. Sixty-hour work weeks were definitely not my jam (but lots of lessons were learned!), but it was tough to break into higher education at first. I knew I only wanted to work at Rice because it’s the best higher education institution in Houston, so I waited for the right opportunity. I’m so thankful to the department and the boss who gave me my start here.
Q: What’s your favorite lunch spot or snack?
A: I love sushi, so I would say Kata Robata or Aka.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
A: Stop worrying so much about the expectations others have for you or what you think you should be doing. It will all work out the way it is meant to. Spend more time living in the moment and less time in your head.
Q: If you could be Sammy The Owl for a day, what would you do?
A: Honestly, I would not. It sounds very sweaty. But I would happily golf cart Sammy around to bring cheer to others — and maybe serve as a drink cart during happy hour hours.
Q: How would you describe your experience as a Rice employee?
A: My experience at Rice has been constantly changing and evolving. I am always looking for new challenges to help solve or ways to make a positive impact. Every day brings something different.
Q: Where do you see Rice in 25 years?
A: I see Rice continuing to stand at the top of higher education and making a real impact on the world. I imagine even stronger partnerships with the Texas Medical Center, the Kinder Institute deeply embedded in our local communities and Rice Engineering leading efforts to build more resilient communities through cutting-edge research that translates directly into Houston and beyond.
Most importantly, I see Rice staying true to its values, maintaining accessible funding options for students and continuing to break the traditional norms of academia. Rice will keep reflecting, innovating and challenging itself to meet the needs of the world it serves.
Q: What’s your favorite memory from your time with Rice?
A: A meaningful moment for me was moderating the Q&A at President DeRoches’ staff appreciation event last year with him and executive vice president for operations, finance and support Kelly Fox in front of the entire community. Having that platform to represent staff voices and advocate on their behalf was both humbling and empowering. It reminded me why I love working at Rice and how important it is to keep building spaces where everyone feels heard and valued.