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 cam- pus). 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 (12) and Margot (7), 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 11. 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 6. He is super strong for his age. He loves dance time, drawing, and eating Cheetos while playing board games at The Teahouse. Elijah is 5. 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!

We’re Ian and Allison and we’re so excited to welcome you to Duncan! Before moving to Houston, we actually attended the same high school in Connecticut. We even went to prom together, and have awkward photos to prove it. Allison attended Emerson College, went on to do Teach for America, and then earned her Masters from Harvard in Education. Ian attended Tufts University and received his MFA from the Creative Writing Program at the University of Houston. Ian currently teaches creative writing and podcasting in the English department at Rice and Allison works for Khan Academy. When we’re not at work, we love to play basketball and go fishing (Ian), do yoga and cook (Allison), eat way too much (both of us), travel, go to the beach, and hang out with our adventurous 7-year-old, Owen. Owen loves riding his bike, splashing in the DuncTank, and playing with students in the quad.

We live on the third floor and are looking forward to hosting many study breaks for you in the coming years. We can’t wait to meet you all!

DuncLove,
Ian & Allison

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