Dear colleagues,
Happy New Year! It was wonderful to see so many of you at the F&A New Year Celebration. The event was filled with good food, games, and Rice swag. Here's to more gatherings in the year ahead!
As we begin the New Year, creating new goals is on many of our to-do lists. Whether it's setting a resolution for better health, finances, career, or well-being, the university has resources to assist.
- The Rice Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers counseling sessions, legal and financial resources, work-life referrals, and more. All EAP services are private and completely confidential.
- The Performance Management Program is currently in the mid-cycle check-in. This is a time for supervisors and employees to review progress toward goals and make adjustments if needed. The Performance Management website offers resources to assist in this process.
- Rice Recreation and Wellness Center is committed to providing spaces promoting the physical, social, and emotional benefits of physical activity. Signing up for a membership is easy!
This year in Finance and Administration, we will also continue working on our goals. I’m pleased to update you that we are nearing the end of the work on our strategic plan. During the spring semester, we will release our strategic plan and host a virtual session for all F&A employees to hear more about what’s in store for the division over the next five years. As always, we will continue focusing on excellence, innovation, and inclusion.
Please join me in welcoming new and permanent members to our leadership team:
- Raza Dawood, Associate Vice President Transformation Technology and Innovation
- Rick Mello, Associate Vice President Campus Services and Sustainability
Finally, I am pleased to share that Katrina Spencer, Sr. Associate Vice President, has been named Chief Financial Officer for the university.
As we approach Martin Luther King Day, I want to reflect on the significance of this day and encourage each of you to honor and celebrate the enduring legacy of Dr. King. The university is hosting two events this weekend in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- MLK Jr. Vigil: How Far Have We Come? - The program will include welcome remarks by President Reginald DesRoches, a keynote speech by Kiese Laymon, Libbie Shearn Moody, Professor of Creative Writing and English and author of “Heavy: An American Memoir,” and a series of musical performances. Light bites and refreshments will be served.
- 46th Annual Original MLK Jr. Parade - Rice students, alumni, faculty, staff, friends, and family are invited to join President Reggie DesRoches, Ms. Paula DesRoches, and Rice's Marching Owl Band (The MOB) to walk in the Houston Black Heritage Society's 46th Annual Original MLK Jr. Parade!
With sincere gratitude,
Kelly