Hey, New Students!

Congrats on winning the lottery and joining Duncan - THE best college on campus. We are so excited that you will be part of our family. We can’t wait to meet you, learn about your interests, support your goals, and help you feel at home! You can expect to see us around regularly in the Commons, at Forum, in the quad, and at every event.

The Magisters serve as official representatives of the College at the University level, but our most important job is to get to know you and to serve as your mentors, sounding boards, resources, and friends.

It turns out that we have first-hand experience in your shoes — we both first walked through the Sallyport on matriculation day in 1997. We were members of some of those other colleges (waving hands toward the south part of campus) where we fell in love with Rice and (cheesy but true) each other. [Fun fact: O-Week brought us together!]

After growing up in Dallas (yes, a Cowboys fan), Winston majored in biochemistry and flag football (but also rowed crew and played in a band). Eden has no hometown (having lived in TX, SC, NC, CA, GA, TX, VA, and TX again) but majored in psychology (and joined half of the organizations on campus). Winston now puts his medical and public health degrees to good use as a family doctor and Chair of Health Systems and Population Health Sciences at the University of Houston, College of Medicine.

Eden is a professor of industrial-organizational psychology at Rice, studying and teaching about the ways that diversity and inclusion can be strengthened in the workplace. Our two daughters, Maezie (13) and Margot (8), are also excited to meet you. Like us, they love sports, baking, reading, making and dancing to music, going to concerts, and Rice.

Our hearts are full with joyful anticipation of your arrival and with warm thoughts of the community we will build together. We can’t wait to welcome you to Duncan!!

DuncLove,
Eden & Winston

Hi Duncaroos!

We are Mack and Jamil Joyner, your Resident Faculty Associates. We are excited to begin our 4th year as your first floor RAs at Duncan. Our love story started freshman year at Rice. Mack was at Sid and Jamil was at Jones. Our first dance together was at Lovett and our first kiss (ewww) was at Brown. After dating for 6 years, we got married (finally!) in 2004.

Mack is originally from Kansas City, KS. He received his BS, MS, and PhD in Computer Science from Rice. He teaches in the Computer Science department. He has a borderline unhealthy obsession with Boba tea and loves to host Boba study breaks. He is learning to be less competitive when playing games like basketball and Monopoly. He is a proud fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and he insists that KC has the best BBQ. Jamil is a native Houstonian. She received her BA in Sociology from Rice, an MD from Baylor College of Medicine, and an MBA from Rice. She works as a Pediatrician at one of Texas Children’s Hospital’s outpatient clinics. She also enjoys real estate on the side. She loves learning which has proven to be an expensive hobby. She also likes to garden and can not wait for you to enjoy the new Duncan garden. We hope you enjoy our study breaks.

We also have 3 boys. Kaleab is 12. He likes soccer, basketball, and building random weapons using empty cereal boxes, duct tape, and rubber bands. Kaleab is also an expert at changing the topic to something that he is interested in. You have been warned. Liam is 7. He is super strong for his age. He loves dance time, drawing, and eating Cheetos while playing board games at The Teahouse. Elijah is 6. However, we still call him “baby”. He likes to give his mom a hug, turn towards Mack, and give him a smirk that says, “I’m the favorite now”. The whole Joyner family is super excited about O-Week and getting a chance to meet you.

DuncLove,
Mack & Jamil

Hello and Welcome!

I’m Kate (some people call me Coley), your second floor RA, and I was a Duncaroo too! I graduated from Rice in 2011 and have loved coming back to see how much Duncan has grown and changed since I was here. As an undergrad, I majored in English and Religious Studies (ahem, after switching majors three times, but trying out different classes and interests is what college is all about!).

I loved my majors so much that now I work over in the School Humanities as a fundraiser (don’t worry, I left Rice for about 10 years and sowed my wild oats)! It’s really wonderful being back and working with the amazing professors I took from as an undergrad. Pro tip: Don’t sleep on the humanities! Many employers these days are looking for people who majored in the humanities because of the communication skills you develop. I have the two cutest dogs in the world, Fran and Beanie (follow @beaniethetripod on insta), and they love everybody so much. Summer break has been hard for them because they’re used to being loved on by students all the time. The only other thing you need to know about me is that I’m a Dolly Parton superfan, which is something that you would’ve probably learned about me pretty quickly even if I hadn’t told you. I can’t wait to meet you! Welcome to Duncan!

DuncLove,
Kate Coley

Hello!

I’m Jorge (you can call me Gomez if that’s easier), your third floor RA! I’ve been part of the Duncan community for two years now as an associate, but will be entering my first-year as an RA this year (yay!). I was initially approached by a Duncaroo many semesters ago to join as an Associate – I had no idea what an Associate was, but was excited about the prospective to engage with students. Since then, I’ve learned so much about what makes Duncan the place to be.

I was born in Brownsville, TX (#puro956), where I spent the majority of my life. I usually am the first to proclaim there isn’t much to do in Brownsville, but I encourage anyone that is looking for the most authentic Mexican food, amazing seafood, or would like to feel extreme levels of heat and humidity year-round, to visit my lovely hometown. As a high school senior, I decided to move to the other tip of the U.S. to begin my undergrad studies at Bowdoin in Brunswick, Maine. Aside from culture shock, I got my bachelor’s in Chemistry and Japanese, and my desire to teach after I graduated. I moved back to Texas to teach high school Chemistry for three years, before I decided to shift gears.

I began my Rice journey two years ago with the Rice Emerging Scholars Program (RESP). I am the current associate director of the program. Through RESP, I get to meet and spend my summer with a group of 50 students interested in STEM (some of which are future Duncaroos!). Most of my summer, as well as my regular semester schedule involves me speaking with students, so, I am always down for a chat. You’ll quickly realize that I. LOVE. TO. TALK.

Aside from myself, my 5-month-old Dachshund puppy, Lucy, will be joining me this year at Duncan. This is my first dog ever, so it’s been interesting managing to be a dog dad (any tips are welcome). My three life passions are food, movies, and music, so, I will most likely always involve one of these elements in any events I host at Duncan. I can’t wait to meet you all and begin our first years at Duncan together <3

Dunclove,
Jorge Gomez Fernandez

Hello Duncaroos!

I’m Penny, and I’m the college coordinator for Duncan. I’ve worked in various staff roles on campus for nineteen years, and my husband has protected the community for twenty years at RUPD.

I’m a native Houstonian, and grew up in the neighborhood around campus. I was originally a music major, and I still love music, but I found my calling in higher education. I enjoy supporting the faculty and students at Rice, and it’s a privilege to be part of the team supporting you during your college career.

I’m a mom to two grownups who have each found their life partners. I’m also a proud grandmother and cat mom to three furry friends. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you, and hearing about your adventures. Please, stop by anytime to chat, grab some candy, ask questions, or talk about your dreams, your troubles, or anything else -- I’m here for you.

During your time at Rice and Duncan College, I hope that you explore your interests, and take the time to join a club that’s just fun, play an intramural sport, study abroad in a country you’ve always wanted to visit, or whatever makes you happy and sparks your curiosity.

With much DuncLove – welcome to the Duncan family! 
‍
Penny Anderson