Q: How long have you worked at Rice?
A: Four years.
Q: What is your favorite part about working for the university?
A: The people are great. Having the opportunity to work with individuals from departments across campus and building relationships with other faculty and staff has been a highlight of my time here so far.
Q: What do you want people to know about living in Houston?
A: The food scene is second to none. Take your pick from Thai to Vietnamese to Mexican to barbecue.
Q: What do you do in your downtime?
A: I enjoy working out, reading, watching TV, seeing shows at the Hobby Center and trying new restaurants with friends.
Q: What’s your favorite spot on campus to show someone?
A: The frog wall, the Duncan Hall ceiling (especially the dot) and all the hidden owls.
Q: What’s the most exciting time of year for you as it relates to Rice?
A: Summer could be considered the most exciting time but also busiest. Since I work with youth programs, my year gets busy when the undergrads move out. Any given day during the summer we can have up to 20 programs running that involve almost 1,000 youth.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: Getting to visit a variety of youth programs on campus and see how engaged the children are in the different activities. I visited an algebra program one summer and witnessed 20 students excited to complete a variety of math problems.
Q: What are your most memorable accomplishments?
A: When I worked at the Houston Zoo, I had the opportunity to lead a college internship that focused on conservation education. Each summer I worked with 10-12 college students from across the country. Not only did we focus on conservation job opportunities in the Houston area as well as educating zoo guests, I spent a lot of time helping them get career ready and figure out what careers they wanted to pursue after college. My last group of interns was in 2019, and I still hear from some of them monthly, many asking me for career advice or just providing me a life update. It warms my heart to know that they still think of me and want to keep me in the loop in their life.
Q: What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?
A: I enjoy volunteering with the Houston Rodeo and giving back to the community I’ve called home for almost 20 years. I am also an avid 5 a.m. workout girl and love the community there.
Q: What advice would you give to new employees?
A: Say yes, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Q: Would you share a bit about your background and career journey?
A: My background is mainly in education. After graduating from Texas A&M with an elementary education degree, I spent five years teaching fifth grade in Humble. During my summers, I started teaching summer camp at the Houston Zoo. A full-time education position opened up, and I decided to leave formal education behind and try out informal education. I worked at the Houston Zoo for eight years, where I had the opportunity to teach kids as young as 9 months old to adults 99 years old. When I was let go during the COVID-19 pandemic, I started looking at well-respected organizations in Houston, and that’s what led me to Rice.
Q: What’s your favorite lunch spot or snack?
A: Tacos Dona Lena. I discovered this place during the pandemic, and they recently opened one by my house. The machetito is my favorite.
Q: What’s your secret talent?
A: Once upon a time, I was able to Irish dance like Michael Flatley, “Lord of the Dance.” I think if I attempted that now I would break a hip.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
A: Move abroad after college. It’s always exciting to hear the places and opportunities that are open to the Rice students when they graduate. I wish I had taken some time for myself and taught overseas after I graduated.
Q: How would you describe your experience as a Rice employee?
A: I have enjoyed my experience over the past four years. Being unemployed during the pandemic was scary, but I couldn’t have landed in a better place with amazing people.
Q: What’s your favorite memory from your time with Rice?
A: We like to host Snackerday in our office throughout the year. It’s a great time to log off for a little bit, share some good food and talk with friends.
Q: Describe Rice in four words or less.
A: Prestigious, innovative, collaborative and impactful.