Former senior director for the Communities Foundation of Texas/Educate Texas RGV FOCUS, Dr. Rodney H. Rodriguez has been named South Texas College’s first Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Economic Development. Courtesy Image
Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas – Dr. Rodney H. Rodriguez has joined the South Texas College administrative team as the first Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Economic Development – a strategic position recently created by the college’s new president Dr. Ricardo J. Solis.
“This vice president will be charged with elevating the image of the institution, connecting the college system to the region it serves and fundraising for student scholarships,” said Solis. “This is a critical role and Dr. Rodriguez is key to helping the STC leadership launch a new era of unprecedented innovation and growth.”
A graduate of Hebbronville High School, Rodriguez is a product of community college education having earned his associate degree from Laredo Community College. He went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas A&M International University and receive a Doctoral Degree in Leadership Studies from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas.
“Being a first-generation college student from a migrant family and growing up with limited resources, I had no choice than to work during the day and pursue my education by taking night courses simultaneously driving over 100 miles back and forth from my hometown of Hebbronville, Texas to Laredo to reach my goal of earning an education,” said Rodriguez. I understand completely the challenges facing our students along the Texas-Mexico border but it shouldn’t be that hard for anyone to achieve their educational aspirations. This is my passion and I am committed to working together with our community to change the lives of our students through education.”
Rodriguez is no stranger to the Rio Grande Valley. Prior to joining South Texas College, he was the senior director for the Communities Foundation of Texas/Educate Texas RGV FOCUS working in collaboration with educational and workforce leaders to advance educational opportunities from cradle to career with an emphasis on post-secondary completion through a collective impact approach. In this position, he worked with national and state foundations to secure resources to support students in their educational trajectory to earn a college degree.
Rodriguez has a 20-year professional background in economic development, government affairs, technology challenges, fundraising and global relations. He has served as faculty at Laredo Community College and Texas A&M International University.
“I have worked with children and families along the Texas-Mexico border and will take my experiences of advancing educational opportunities for all students,” said Rodriguez. “There is so many high demand, high wage occupations in the Rio Grande Valley and we are so fortunate to have the greatest talent pool of students. We will prepare our students in innovative programs to meet the demand of industry in our region.”
Rodriguez has an ambitious agenda for the year ahead. He said his main goals are to help STC President Solis establish a Valley-wide Foundation for the College, engage alumni, foster strategic partnerships and expand relationships with regional and state industry leaders and policy makers.
“Partnerships are so very important and I am committed to working with our regional organizations to continue STC’s historic success of providing a high-quality workforce in the Rio Grande Valley,” said Rodriguez. “Together we will promote opportunities for our students to continue their educational trajectory to a credential, certificate or post-secondary degree.”
Rodriguez will also take over aspects of the Regional Center for Public Safety in Pharr. He hopes to expand training and educational opportunities for professionals in law enforcement.
“Rodriguez and I share a background in economic development that positions our college to be at the forefront of workforce training with law enforcement and other industries, especially health care and advanced manufacturing,” said Solis. “We’ve got the right person for the task at hand. The Board of Trustees and STC team look forward to working together to implement strategic initiatives that will move our community forward.”
