As the Executive Director, Araceli provides vision and leadership to the Office of Student Success Initiatives(SSI), which encompasses the areas of First Year Programs, RESP, RISE, First Generation/Low-Income student support, and general holistic advising. She is also an instructor UNIV 110 course and assists Rice students by providing general support and advisement on topics related to their personal, academic, and social development.

Araceli received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Houston. She earned a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration from the Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education (SAAHE) program at Texas A&M University. Araceli is pursuing an Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Texas-Austin.

Advising Philosophy: Motivation and Achievement through Leadership and Education. Araceli’s advisement model relies on four components: Motivation, Achievement, Leadership, and Education and is centered on the Student’s Personal Life, Academics, and Campus Involvement. She believes in getting to know her students personally by creating a positive influence and interaction between their learning and personal development, which in turn helps motivate students. Seeing her students successfully combat academic adversity and emotional challenges is one of the most rewarding experiences in her role.