Tsz W. Wong '11

Tsz W. Wong '11

What inspires you to remain so engaged with Rice?

My Rice experience was an important life milestone. I am still nostalgic so it's easy for me to engage as an alumna either as a participant or volunteer.

How have you grown/changed in your Rice journey since receiving the award? What new experiences would you highlight?

After graduating, I moved to Boston for graduate school. I was fresh with energy so I got involved with the Boston alumni chapter before leading the group. Although I am more introverted, it was a great, welcoming opportunity to explore Boston with other Rice alumni. In the past few years, I stepped back from the chapter and stopped organizing activities. I realized I didn't take time after graduating to stop and recharge. Instead of spreading myself thin, I learned to say "no" so I could concentrate on select activities with intention. You'll eventually run out of air staying on the mountaintop, chasing everything without setting boundaries. Since then, I've chosen to invest my energy interviewing potential Rice students and in serving as a Rice Annual Fund volunteer. I currently work in fundraising so my experience with the Rice Annual Fund has been a good match.

Tsz’s advice:

I encourage young alumni to 1) stay in touch with Rice by attending virtual/in-person events; 2) volunteering for the Rice Annual Fund; and 3) staying in touch with professors, staff, and friends. I have been impressed with Rice's virtual offerings about topics such as home ownership, job transitions, and practical cooking demos. I also recommend young alumni to engage with the Rice Annual Fund because you get to understand how the pudding is made. You learn how the endowment works; how funding is needed to make initiatives like the Rice Investment sustainable; and how to solicit gifts. For alumni not living within traveling distance to Rice, volunteering is a guaranteed way of making new Rice connections and even refreshing existing ones. Most importantly, stay in touch with your professors, staff, and friends. There were a few hiccups for me after graduating and I am grateful to have had their advice a decade after graduating.

What’s next for you?

Taking care of my family remains a priority. Secondly, creating more time to enjoy things such as fitness and drawing that make me happy.