Q: How long have you worked at Rice?
A: 16 years
Q: What is your favorite part about working for the university?
A: My favorite part of working at Rice has always been the social engagement with faculty and students in supporting research that is not just innovative but also transformative to our communities.
Q: What do you want people to know about living in Houston?
A: I’ve lived in Houston the better part of my life. My family immigrated from Vietnam in 1975, and this community has been welcoming and supportive of families from different ethnic and social identities. The landscape has changed quite a bit over the years, but the diversity of this city provides great opportunity to establish roots here.
Q: What do you do in your downtime?
A: I tend to jump from one project to another. One minute I may be building a new computer, and then the next I will be working on my garden.
Q: What’s your favorite spot on campus to show someone?
A: Alumni Drive during the fall when the leaves turn colors.
Q: What’s the most exciting time of year for you as it relates to Rice?
A: Normally around graduation. It’s nice to see all the celebration and family toasting for what has been and what is next.
Q: What’s the one thing that makes Rice special to you?
A: My colleagues … all of you including the ones I have not met yet.
Q: If you could be Sammy The Owl for a day, what would you do?
A: Run the Baker 13.
Q: How would you describe your experience as a Rice employee?
A: It’s a journey that has different surprises and disappointments along the way, but the people who surround you make it all much more enjoyable and worth the time and effort.
Q: Where do you see Rice in 25 years?
A: A top Tier 1 research powerhouse in Texas.
Q: Describe Rice in four words or less.
A: Engaging, impactful, bold and discovery.
Q: What else have we not talked about yet that merits discussion?
A: Why has TunaFest not come back to campus?