Martel selects two new pairs of RAs
Martel College selected two new sets of resident associates this spring, Martel College President Katie Doody said. The first set is comprised of senior lecturer in the School of Architecture Grant Alford and school administrator in the School of Architecture Lauren Neatherlin. Grant teaches first- and fourth-year undergraduate architectural design studios. In the spring, Grant teaches ARCH 305: Architecture for Non-Architects, a seminar about architectural design for nonmajors. He also directs the summer design program LAUNCH and is on the board of the Rice Design Alliance. Lauren previously served as graduate coordinator in the School of Architecture. Currently, she is focusing on projects of a larger scope within the school.
The second set of RAs is composed of Thiago Simoes Correa and Adrienne Simoes Correa. Thiago is originally from Brazil and received his doctorate in comparative sedimentology from the University of Miami. He is currently a geologist at ConocoPhillips. Adrienne is a lecturer in ecology and evolutionary biology department.
Doody, a senior, said the RAs were selected over the course of two months through brainstorming sessions with the masters and two students, the Martel president and vice president. They evaluated which qualities were important in an RA. This group was looking for someone passionate about being involved with students and interacting with the college as a whole. It took interest in people who were responsible and caring as a whole. A short list of potential RAs met with groups of Martel students four times in a formal panel interview, a group dinner, Oktoberfest and during a game of charades.
Grant Alford & Lauren Neatherlin
Why did you want to be RAs?
We thought we would be able to bring a lot of useful input and guidance to the college because we both work at Rice in different roles. As an administrator, Lauren is a good source for all information from the school up to the university level. On the other hand, studio teaching is unique in how intimate and collaborative the one-on-one conversations are in class. Studio instructors are like mentors, and this seemed like a good dynamic to bring to the college. Of course, we love Rice and the campus as well.
Why Martel?
We were drawn to the sense of community, respectfulness and friendliness of Martel. The students have worked hard to cultivate a well-balanced atmosphere of knowing how to have a good time while being serious and ambitious students.
What will you do as RAs? What are your plans for future events?
We're particularly interested in small group events. We started a film series ("Texas!!!") and hope to foster engagement with the arts. We have a trip to the Houston Ballet planned for March.
Do you have kids? Do you have pets? If so, what are their names?
Old chihuahua Chloe. Cat named Sugar.
What do you do for fun?
Grant: Reading widely, buying too many books to read, Xbox, learning obscure tricks for Illustrator and Rhino (software), occasional hill country fishing.
Lauren: Reading fashion and interior blogs and magazines, baking and learning to sew.
What kind of music do you listen to? What's your favorite TV show?
Music: Pretty eclectic (everybody says that, we know). We're on club/electronica/indie music right now, coming late to things like MGMT, but we're just as happy listening to Merle Haggard or Doc Watson lament muskrats.
TV: Arrested Development, Modern Family.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: Martel is not a college. Defend your answer.
Martel is not [just a] college. It's a family!
Thiago & Adrienne Simoes Correa
Why did you want to be RAs?
We both felt that Rice is a great community and campus and wonderful place. We wanted to become more involved in the everyday life of the students, and when we heard of the opportunity to become RAs, we were very excited to do so.
Why Martel?
We love that Martel is a newer college, and it has the opportunity to develop and continue new traditions. Here, we feel like we are a big family, and we can all interact in a unique way.
What will you do as RAs? What are your plans for future events?
Thiago wants to have an international Brazilian themed dinner. Adrienne is interested in biological/outdoor based events by restoring native plants around Houston.
Do you have kids? Do you have pets? If so, what are their names?
We have a little boy who is almost 1 year old, named Caio.
What do you do for fun?
We love to play with our son, run and drink good coffee. You can usually find us around Martel or around campus, especially at Rice Coffeehouse.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: Martel is not a college. Defend your answer.
Disagree. Martel is the best college ever.
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