Chanae joined the SSI team as the Assistant Director for the Rice Emerging Scholars Program (RESP) in June 2026. A Houston native and first in her family to navigate the college experience, she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Inspired by her own college experience and the opportunities she was able to access, she pursued a career dedicated to advising students making the transition to higher education, modeling the kind of support she once needed in school. For seven years, she has served as a  high school college advisor and/or counselor, working in districts in the Houston area such as Houston Independent School District (HISD) and YES Prep Public Schools. During her years as a college advisor, she returned to school to earn her master’s degree in higher education from the University of Houston where she discovered fulfilling work regarding matriculation and retention. When she is not advising and supporting students, Chanae loves a good book with some lo-fi playing in the background. She also enjoys attending music festivals and traveling with her close friends.

Advising philosophy:

Chanae encourages students to get comfortable with pivoting. She believes there is power in adapting, and that changing direction is not failure but growth, learning, and finding a better fit. Above all, her goal is to empower students to meet every turn with resilience and possibility. She emphasizes the importance of viewing education as more than a checklist of requirements, but about building confidence, developing support systems, and strengthening the skills needed to navigate change. She believes that success is a combination of growth, relationships, and the lived experiences that shape who you ultimately become.