Every career at Rice tells a story — one shaped by curiosity, hard work, and the drive to make a difference. Rice Journeys is a new interview series that highlights the paths of staff members whose dedication and leadership have helped shape our campus community.
In this first feature, we meet Mauricio Benitez, Associate Provost and Senior Advisor, whose journey began at Rice more than 30 years ago as a high school intern in Human Resources. From his first summer filing paper records to his current role in the Office of the Provost, his story reflects the power of mentorship, lifelong learning, and the spirit of growth that defines Rice.
Tell us about your career journey at Rice. How did you get started, and what roles have you held along the way?
My Rice journey began long before my current role. As a high school student, I participated in a program called Communities in Schools (CIS) and joined Rice as an intern in Human Resources during the summer of 1993. I was invited to stay on and officially became an HR file clerk later that summer—back when nearly everything was still paper-based!
From there, I was promoted to HR specialist before moving to the Department of Bioengineering in 2001 as a department coordinator, eventually becoming department administrator. In 2008, I joined the Department of Chemistry, where then-chair Seiichi Matsuda promoted me to Executive Administrator. Later, in 2017, I transitioned to the School of Natural Sciences as Assistant Dean under Dean Peter Rossky.
In August 2019, I joined the Office of the Provost as Assistant Provost and was promoted to Associate Provost and Senior Advisor in April 2023. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working in several areas across campus—each one giving me new opportunities to grow, learn, and contribute to Rice’s mission.
How has Rice supported your professional growth and development?
Rice has been instrumental in supporting my growth at every stage of my career. Each department I’ve worked in has provided opportunities for learning, mentorship, and advancement that helped shape who I am as a leader. I’ve participated in several leadership training programs and joined professional organizations such as the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) and the Society of Research Administrators (SRA)—experiences that have strengthened both my technical expertise and interpersonal skills.
Rice’s professional development resources have also played a major role in my journey. I used the tuition reimbursement benefit to complete my undergraduate degree and have taken advantage of both free and department-funded courses. I’ve also benefited from training sessions offered through the library and Human Resources, which have helped me continue to learn and grow throughout my career.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their career at Rice or looking to grow internally?
Building relationships is key. Learn how to navigate Rice’s systems and develop partnerships with people across campus. Get involved—join committees, participate in Staff Council, or attend campus events. These connections create a network of colleagues who can help you brainstorm, share best practices, and grow together.
What habits or practices have helped you succeed at Rice?
Use your time wisely. When you have downtime, invest it in learning something new. I’ve used those moments to improve my Excel skills, study database systems, and even review research administration case studies. Rice offers many tools and resources to help you grow—take advantage of them.
Finally, what’s your favorite spot on campus?
The patio outside Valhalla holds so many great memories. Whether celebrating a colleague’s retirement, attending a graduate event, or just sharing lunch with friends, it’s a place filled with laughter, connection, and celebration.