Michelle Thackray, Associate Vice President of Operational Excellence & Engagement, champions innovation, collaboration, and purposeful leadership at Rice. She has a background in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and a passion for creating meaningful workplace experiences. We had the pleasure of speaking with Michelle to learn how she brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to driving strategic initiatives and fostering lasting impact across campus.
Can you share a little about your background and the pivotal experiences shaping your leadership style?
Early in college, I found myself torn between two interests: psychology and business. A professor and mentor introduced me to Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology—a field that combines the science of human behavior with practical workplace applications. That discovery was a game-changer. It provided me with a path to help improve the workplace experience for others.
Throughout my journey, I’ve had the good fortune of learning from servant leaders—mentors and colleagues who led with generosity, humility, and purpose. Their example taught me the value of listening, empowering others, and leading with integrity. I carry those lessons with me every day.
In your current role, what are your primary responsibilities, and what does a typical day look like for you?
One of the things I enjoy most about my work is that no two days are exactly alike. My role touches several key areas—strategic planning, data and measurement, community engagement, innovation, and program development. While a fair amount of my time is spent in meetings, those conversations are energizing. They’re opportunities to collaborate, solve problems, and advance initiatives that matter to the Rice community.
What excites you about working at Rice?
What excites me most about working at Rice is the people. There’s a genuine sense of camaraderie, shared purpose, and curiosity. I’m inspired by the way teams come together—across roles, departments, and disciplines—to think creatively, solve problems, and support one another. It’s equally exciting to be part of a university that’s not just growing but doing so with intention. The strategic direction Rice is pursuing is bold and future-focused, and I’m proud to contribute to work that helps turn that vision into reality.
What’s your vision for the future? What does that look like for your team and for Rice?
Our work in Operational Excellence and Engagement is about building bridges—between data and decisions, ideas and impact, people and purpose. Looking ahead, our vision is to be a catalyst for collaboration and transformation across the university.
Over the next five years, we’re focused on three core priorities:
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Empowering Strategic Execution: We're committed to providing the tools, structures, and support that help turn bold ideas into action. This means fostering a culture of continuous improvement and ensuring strategic initiatives are well-positioned to succeed.
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Enhancing Community and Collaboration: Operational excellence thrives in community. By cultivating cross-campus partnerships and communities of practice, we aim to strengthen shared purpose and foster innovative solutions.
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Driving Measurable Impact: Our work is rooted in outcomes. Whether improving processes or enabling smarter decision-making through data, everything we do is about aligning efforts with what matters most—supporting students, faculty, and staff, and preparing for Rice’s next chapter of growth and global impact.
Ultimately, our role is to help make complex ideas actionable, support people through change, and ensure Rice remains a place where excellence and innovation thrive.
Reflecting on your career, what have been some of your toughest challenges, and what accomplishments are you most proud of?
One of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my career was leading the return-to-campus effort during the pandemic at a previous institution. As the project manager, I worked alongside an extraordinary team to navigate uncertainty, coordinate across departments, and adapt to changing conditions—all while prioritizing health and safety. It was a period of intense learning and resilience, and I remain incredibly proud of how the team came together to serve our community during such a critical time.
How do you recharge your battery and have fun?
Spending time with family and friends is my go-to—whether we’re traveling together or simply enjoying good conversation. I also love photography. It helps me slow down, notice the little things, and capture meaningful moments. The best days are the ones where I get to combine these things—exploring new places with loved ones and a camera in hand.