Position
GEAR UP Site Coordinator, University of Texas at Austin Institute for Public School Initiatives
Q: What initially brought you to Rice and the MSPE program?
A: My interest in policy started with healthcare access. When I was a kid playing peewee football, I saw how some parents hesitated to take their children to the doctor, not because they didn’t care, but because they couldn’t afford it. That stuck with me. In my second-to-last semester at the University of Houston, I had to take a Program Evaluation course to complete my undergraduate degree in Public Health. For the first time, I saw the direct impact that well-designed programs and policies can have on a community. It was eye-opening. Evaluation wasn’t just about collecting data, but ensuring that interventions worked and that resources were being used effectively. That class sparked something in me, and I knew I wanted to pursue it further.
After some searching, both through the internet and a bit of soul-searching, I found the brand-new MSPE program at Rice. At the same time, I had been accepted to several strong MPH programs, but I knew that if I chose one, my hunger for a more policy-driven program would be left unsatisfied. I had to at least apply. Rice just happened to be the cherry on top.
Growing up in the Houston area, I’ve always known Rice as an institution that commands respect, especially in the natural sciences. But for me, I want Rice to earn that same deserved recognition in the social sciences. I saw the MSPE program as an opportunity to be part of that growth, while also gaining the skills I needed to work at the intersection of education, healthcare, and policy evaluation. Rice’s strong research foundation, the Kinder Institute, and its connection to Houston’s diverse policy landscape made it the perfect place to build that expertise.
Q: How did your experience in the MSPE program prepare you for a professional career?
A: The program gave me the ability to analyze policy beyond theory and focus on what actually works. I learned how to use data to measure program impact and how to think critically about policy effectiveness. That’s something I apply every day in my work.
One of the most valuable experiences was working on voting experience and accessibility research with the Harris County Elections Administration Office. It made me realize how even logistical details, like where polling places are located, can create real barriers to participation. That same logic applies to education and healthcare. How do we remove the barriers preventing people from accessing the resources they need? The program challenged me to think about those questions and gave me the tools to find answers.
Beyond the technical skills, Rice also prepared me to work across different sectors. The program brought together people from different backgrounds, which forced me to learn how to communicate complex ideas in a way that makes sense to different audiences. That’s been invaluable in my work, whether I’m talking to school administrators, nonprofit leaders, or students and families.
Q: In what ways do you feel Rice’s location in Houston, Texas, enhanced your experience as an MSPE student?
A: Houston is the perfect place to study social policy. It’s one of the most diverse cities in the country, and it’s full of opportunities to engage with policy in action. It has some of the best medical institutions in the world, a rapidly growing education sector, and a nonprofit community that’s actively working to close equity gaps.
Being from Houston, I’ve always appreciated what the city has to offer, but I also recognize that while it’s known for its leadership in the energy and medical sectors, there’s still work to do in building that same reputation in the research and social policy sectors. Studying here meant I wasn’t just learning policy in a vacuum—I was seeing it play out in real-time and working with the people directly involved in making change.
Rice’s partnerships with organizations like the Texas Policy Lab and the Kinder Institute made that experience even richer. The ability to work with researchers and policymakers right here in the city gave me a practical perspective that I carry with me in my work today.
Q: What are your primary responsibilities in your current role?
A: Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, or GEAR UP, is a federal education intervention program designed to improve students' post-secondary outcomes. In my current role at the University of Texas, I work to make sure cohorts of GEAR UP students have the resources and opportunities they need to be successful in college and beyond. That means developing and managing programs that support college readiness, financial literacy, and career exploration, while also building relationships with community organizations and higher education partners to expand opportunities for students.
A big part of my job is making sure these programs actually work. I collect and analyze student engagement data to see what’s effective and where we need to improve. I also organize workshops and events that connect students, families, and educators with resources that can help them navigate the transition to postsecondary education. My goal is to make sure the support students receive isn’t just well-intentioned, but impactful.
Q: What are some ways you incorporate what you learned in the MSPE program into your career?
A: One of the biggest takeaways from the program was how to evaluate policies and programs in a way that goes beyond surface-level outcomes. It’s not just about whether a program exists—it’s about whether it’s actually making a desired difference and how to measure that impact.
In my current role, I use those skills every day. I analyze student data and program effectiveness to make sure the initiatives we’re running are helping students succeed. Beyond that, Rice taught me how to connect research with real-world decision-making. It’s one thing to collect data, but it’s another to use that data to make meaningful changes. That’s something I focus on every day in my work.
Q: What are some of your long-term goals for your career?
A: Long-term, I want to work at the intersection of education and healthcare policy, helping to break down the systemic barriers that prevent people from accessing the resources they need. So much of a student’s ability to succeed in school is tied to their health—whether it’s access to medical care, mental health support, or even something as basic as nutrition. I want to be part of creating policies that address those overlapping issues in a way that makes a real impact.
I’m also considering law school as a potential next step. If I pursue it, it would be with the goal of using legal expertise to shape policies that improve access to education and healthcare. Whether through law, policy research, or direct program implementation, I want to ensure that policy decisions are backed by data and actually serve the communities they’re meant to help.
Q: What is some advice you would give to someone thinking about enrolling in the MSPE program?
A: If you’re thinking about this program, go in with a clear idea of how you want to apply what you learn. The coursework is rigorous, but the real value comes from how you use it. Take advantage of the opportunity to work on real-world policy issues, whether through research projects, internships, or collaborations with organizations in Houston.
Also, engage with faculty and research centers like the Kinder Institute and Texas Policy Lab. The connections you build here will be just as valuable as the technical skills you gain. This program is great for people who want to use data and research to solve real-world problems, so if that’s what drives you, it’s a great place to be. Do not be afraid to fail.
Q: What are three words you would use to describe your experience as an MSPE student at Rice?
A: Challenging, Transformative, Enriching