Mastership of Baker College 2003-2010

Rice University houses its undergraduates in twelve residential colleges.  Baker is the founding, oldest, and smallest college.  As a former Master, of course I know it is also the best college.

The exceptional quality of life in the colleges is the largest reason why Rice is ranked #1 currently, by the Princeton Review, in overall quality of undergraduate experience.   The commitment, caring, and capability of Masters play a large role in this ranking.

A tenured faculty member or “Master” is the senior on-site administrator in each of the twelve colleges.  The Master lives with his or her family in a house provided by the University on campus, and the proximity of faculty to undergraduate residential life allows for the unique character of this job.

The university charges Masters with several overarching tasks.
            --foster overall intellectual health and vitality of the colleges
            --develop and support student leadership and government
            --act as liaison between students and other administrative offices on campus (Dean of  Undergraduates,  Academic Advising, Honor Council, Counseling Center, Judicial Affairs)
            --oversee substantial operating budget, a staff of Coordinator and Resident Associates, and a host of ongoing college and university programs

Why would someone find this capacious job description appealing? 

For me, the Mastership allowed a unique leadership role on campus at Rice.  It brought me close to students and their challenges and enormous talents.  It also expanded the opportunities for collegial collaborations among professors.  The Baker Master’s Residence allowed a space on campus in which to hold events for the Dean of Undergraduates, the Dean of the Humanities, the Director of the Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality, the English Department, and the Department of Hispanic Studies.  Undergraduate and graduate students attended, as did faculty, deans, and the President, as well as colleagues of all ranks from other institutions.  Finally, the Mastership allowed me an angle of view into the structural workings of the university which aids me enormously as a university citizen. 

Oh, and did I say, the students were very fun?