Q: How long have you worked at Rice?
A: I have been working at Rice for 10 years. I earned my master’s degree in violin performance with Kathleen Winkler from 2012-14.
Q: What is your favorite part about working for the university?
A: Having the opportunity to work so closely with our generous donors. One of the most rewarding experiences is watching a student recipient meet their annual scholarship donor and witness the relationship blossom into a long-lasting friendship with mutual respect and desire for each other. Having been a student who was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship, I understand the value and meaning of investing in these young students who work incredibly hard to achieve their dreams.
Q: What do you want people to know about living in Houston?
A: Don’t judge Houston before you embrace its offerings, and come with an appetite.
Q: What do you do in your downtime?
A: I make cakes! I’m the founder and owner of Sweet Harmony Cakes, which specializes in custom cakes. My husband, Ernest Flores, is my honest taste tester and dishwasher.
Q: What’s your favorite spot on campus to show someone?
A: Standing on stage of the Morrison Theater in Brockman Hall for Opera.
Q: What’s the most exciting time of year for you as it relates to Rice?
A: The first Saturday of April — also known as Beer Bike! I have had the opportunity to race on the Women’s GSA for three years and Alumni GSA team for 10 years. I was among the proud winners in the 2024 alumni race. Viva Valhalla!
Q: What’s the one thing that makes Rice special to you?
A: My colleagues at the Shepherd School of Music.
Q: If you could be Sammy The Owl for a day, what would you do?
A: I would walk around campus and give everyone a feathery hug with both remiges.
Q: How would you describe your experience as a Rice employee?
A: The Shepherd School of Music at Rice is my family. I moved to Houston from Montreal to attend school and immediately fell in love with the supportive environment between my classmates and mentors. Everyone at Rice works hard and inspires each other to thrive gracefully and confidently.
Q: Where do you see Rice in 25 years?
A: I hope that in the next 25 years, Rice’s excellent reputation as a leading university will continue to expand and strengthen internationally. The school is a gem and deserves the world’s recognition.
Q: Describe Rice University in four words or less.
A: Leaders, inventors, wise and risk-takers
Q: What else have we not talked about yet that merits discussion?
A: When I’m not at Rice, I’m in my kitchen baking and assembling delicious creations for clients to enjoy during their celebrations. The heartbeat of my business is working with children by bringing out their ingenuity and making their cake ideas come to life so they can proudly display their creativity to their friends and family on their special day. They need that sprinkle of inspiration and a Nutella jar of nudging!
Here is an example of this collaboration: My friend’s son wanted to make a haunted Halloween house for his school party. He drew a two-story house, including a color guide for different sections of the house, scattered ghosts and a black cat in one of the windows. I was able to replicate his highly creative design and turn it into a sugary and buttery but still spooky haunted house cake.
Another example I love to share is when the son of a family member wanted a Lego castle cake for his birthday. What 6-year-old doesn’t think a Lego castle is the best thing ever? He drew a two-tier round cake with strategically placed Lego pieces as the structure. He also drew ice cream cones filled with sprinkled buttercream swirls as the towers. How ingenious is that! Thanks to his cleverness, I was able to make one of the coolest Lego castles ever.
I’m inspired when I see the imagination spark inside these kids’ heads. What better way to show them that creativity with food has no limits?
