This week’s Centennial Stars: Two high-profile staffers make Rice look good

To celebrate the Rice Centennial, this year the university will honor 100 staff members who represent the best of Rice culture. Each week, two Centennial Stars will be recognized for their contributions to excellence, and we’ll introduce them in Rice News.

WAYNE GRAHAM AND REBECCA SHARP SANCHEZ

This week’s Centennial Stars are Rebecca Sharp Sanchez of the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies and Wayne Graham, Rice’s head baseball coach.

Sanchez is assistant director of the Glasscock School’s Master of Liberal Studies program — and that often means she’s the face of the program from the moment students show interest in enrolling. She effectively guides them throughout the process, from application and registration to graduation and beyond.

Sanchez’s nomination pointed to her skill with those students, many of whom haven’t been in school for years and have some worries about the process.

“She makes new students and faculty feel welcome and comfortable,” the letter said. “She knows how to give encouragement.”

And that has made a difference, her nomination said: “Under her watch, the program has grown to become the third-largest master’s degree program at Rice.”

Beyond the master’s program, Sanchez also works with the Center for College Readiness. She shepherds students through the Rice for High School Students program each summer and handles problems and questions from both students and their parents. And for the Institute for Chinese Language Teaching, Sanchez helped develop the Chinese Language Certificate Program, which certifies secondary-level Chinese-language teachers.

“Rebecca brought teachers, faculty and students together to make this a seamless endeavor,” her nomination said. “(She) was always very patient explaining the process and procedures and helping mostly Chinese-speaking teachers navigate through this complex program. As a result of her efforts, more schools are offering Chinese-language courses.”

Sanchez is valued, liked and respected by her colleagues. A faculty member who has taught at Rice for more than 50 years said, “I have never worked with a staff member who was more helpful, cheerful and willing to go the extra mile.”

Sanchez, who has been at Rice since 2005, “excels in her position,” her nomination said. “I know she will continue to provide the level of service and support we all hope to reach.”

Graham’s success can be measured as well. In two decades as head baseball coach, he has turned the program into a powerhouse.

Graham’s nomination letter points to an early example of his embrace of the “Rice way.” In his first interview for the job, Graham announced, “Rice will win a national championship.” Twelve years later, in 2003, he led his team to do just that.

That championship has been accompanied by many more successes: conference championships, the College World Series, All-American players, first-round draft picks and academic excellence awards.

“He made Rice Owls believe that there was ‘no upper limit’ and we could expect and demand to be great,” his nomination letter said, “even in athletics.”

Beyond his talent as a coach, Graham’s devotion to Rice and to his players is worthy of honor, his nomination said: “Like many of our coaches, his job is so much more than what he does on the field.

“Coach Graham is always enthusiastic to help another department or cause on campus and is one of our best ambassadors,” the letter said.

For more than two decades, Graham has built strong ties with players, Owls fans and the Rice community, his nomination said. “Coach Graham is Rice University.”

Do you know a staff member who routinely excels at work, supports the goals and aspirations of the university and serves as a positive influence on the Rice culture? Nominate him or her for a Centennial Star award. Human Resources will accept nominations from peers, colleagues, co-workers and supervisors. Nominees must be in a benefits-eligible position for at least two years as of Jan. 1 and be in good standing.

To nominate someone as a Centennial Star, go to people.rice.edu/stars. For more information, contact Rebecca Millet at recognition@rice.edu.

To view previous Centennial Stars, visit http://people.rice.edu/Content.aspx?id=2147483712.