About Muses
The Muses, in Greek mythology, are a group of nine goddesses who inspire and preside over various forms of arts, literature, and sciences. They are known for their creativity, knowledge, and guidance, serving as a source of inspiration for mortals.
The O-Week Peer Academic Advisors (PAAs) channel the Muses through their role as guides and mentors in academic planning sessions. Just like how Muses who inspire and guide artists, the PAAs inspire and guide students, offering valuable insights and expertise to help them navigate their educational paths and unlock their full potential.
The Team
Read their bios below!
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Fatima is a senior from Longview, Texas majoring in Chemistry and minoring in Spanish and Portuguese, making her an academic weapon sharper than any other. When she’s not studying, she can be found wandering Target looking for emotional support squishmallows. Her other latest obsession is Crumbl cookies and she will drive however long is necessary to acquire them. She funds these addictions by hustling at the Welcome Center and the chemistry stockroom. How she manages to balance everything is a mystery to everyone. Above all else, she is a dedicated friend who values kindness and empathy, and always seeks to support those around her. You’re so lucky to have her as your PAA!
(Shreya Majeti, Jones '24)
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SIDIZENS get hyped!!!! Hailing from Augusta, Georgia, Robert Bradeford Joiner jr., aka THE BRAD, aka Bobby Joiner, aka Sir Joiner is one of y’all’s O-week PAAs. This southern peach is a delight to be around, whether you need someone to listen to your rant or a running buddy Brad is your guy - just be careful, he might make you run a half marathon on a whim. Brad is one of few Linguistics, Classics double-majors at Rice, so if you have a niche interest or just need some great academic advising, Brad would be more than happy to help!……Talking about help. If you’re new to Texas and need help discovering the wonders of Country music, Brad will without a doubt broaden your horizons with some fiyaaa🔥🔥 Zach Bryan. Although many have attempted to resist, Brad’s southern charm has converted everyone he knows into country fans. SIDIZENS, you really have lucked out with Brad!
(Nahom Zerai, Sid Richardson '26)
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Congratulations—with Anna Tetreault as your PAA, you will undoubtedly be the most academically advised student on campus!! Hailing from St. Louis, Missouri (respect the arch), Anna is an adventurous and passionate junior majoring in Computer Science and pursuing a certificate in Spanish. When she’s not in the basement of a lecture hall finishing her 23402th assignment to build the Internet (real), Anna enjoys taking spontaneous bike trips, scheming with her friends, and slaying as the Music Director of Rice’s Mariachi Band! If you get the chance, make sure to talk with Anna about the movie Spirit, her pets, or the New York Times Mini Crossword (her scores are superhuman I fear). As someone with countless academic interests and passions, Anna will make sure to keep you on track while giving you space to explore your interests; with Anna, you’re in great hands!
(Grace Wang, Sid Richardson ‘25)
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Drainer Alert! Get your cameras ready, because Indrani Maitra (Sid ‘26) is Sid’s premiere niche internet micro celebrity. She’ll even sign your shoe if you ask nicely! Hailing from our very own Houston, TX, Indrani is on a first-name basis with all of the Subway workers in a 5-mile radius. Talk about influence! Enter her dorm room and you’ll think you’ve wandered into the prototypal incel living space— the Radiohead vinyls, David Lynch regalia and general acrimony towards the concept of cleanliness will give you whiplash. Still, she is incredibly passionate about academic advising—she’d love to tell you all about how she escaped the wretched Pre-Med track and entered the far more persecuted demographic of “civil engineering student”. For someone so short and child-like, she’s surprisingly wise. But, she manages to balance her maturity with an outrageous sense of humor. Indrani is an amazing, albeit chaotic, friend to anyone lucky enough to cross paths with her.
(Mia Bauman, Hanszen ‘26 + James Foxworth, Sid Richardson ‘26)