Falisha Purkiss joined Rice University in July 2026 as an Administrative Operations Specialist in the Office of Risk Management. In this role, she supports the operational and administrative functions that help the office identify, manage, and mitigate institutional risk while strengthening processes that promote effective stewardship, accountability, and compliance. Through this work, Falisha contributes to Rice University’s broader mission of advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and serving the community through excellence in education, research, and institutional operations.

Falisha holds a B.A. in English and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno. Prior to joining Rice, she served as a Library Specialist in the Knowledge Center at UNR, supporting the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). In that role, she modernized and streamlined processes and workflows, improving efficiency and consistency in day-to-day operations. She also developed and documented original standard operating procedures (SOPs) for student employees and colleagues, creating practical resources that supported training, continuity, and effective knowledge transfer.

Bringing together her background in administrative operations, process improvement, documentation, and the humanities and behavioral sciences, Falisha brings a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to her work. She is committed to building clear, efficient processes that support both her colleagues and the institution’s larger goals.