Texas Border Business
Harlingen, TX — Educate Texas and Dallas-based Communities Foundation of Texas today announced Dr. Rodney Rodriguez as the new Senior Director of RGV FOCUS, a collective impact initiative focused on cradle to career education initiatives across Rio Grande Valley school districts.
Rodriguez brings over 20 years of education and non-profit leadership experience to the Valley-based education organization. Rodriguez joins RGV FOCUS after five years as Executive Director of Strategic and External Relations at Laredo College in Laredo, Texas.
“Dr. Rodriguez’s experience in education policy runs deep with an additional sixteen years of service in various executive roles to enhance low-income, migrant children’s growth and development across five states,” said Chris Coxon, Managing Director, Educate Texas. “We’re thrilled to have Dr. Rodriguez’s considerable personal and professional experience helming our Valley initiative.”
“Dr. Rodriguez is an outstanding leader who is innovative and creative. I’m looking forward to working with him in his new role as Senior Director with RGV FOCUS,” said Dr. J.A. Gonzalez, Superintendent, McAllen ISD.
As Dr. Rodriguez joins RGV FOCUS, the organization recently announced two significant foundation investments in the organization’s work, a $2.4 million investment by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and a $1.25 million investment by the Greater Texas Foundation.
“Our past success laid the foundation for these new investments in our work in Rio Grande Valley area schools,” said Rodriguez. “We’ll be expanding our efforts to focus on cradle to career programs that will help ensure all Rio Grande Valley learners can achieve a degree or credential that leads to a meaningful career and successful life.”
Noting that the RGV FOCUS would not rest on its past success, Dr. Rodriguez announced four core priorities that would guide his work in 2019 and 2020:
- Greater Engagement with RGV FOCUS Partners
- Strengthen Early Childhood Education in the RGV
- Emphasis on Education & Workforce Initiatives
- Strategically Work with Colleges for College Prep and Completion
Emphasizing the connection between quality education, workforce readiness and global competitiveness, during his time in Laredo, Rodriguez also dedicated his time and energy to the City of Laredo’s Economic Development Advisory Committee. Added Rodriguez, “I’m looking forward to forging similar relationships and deepening our partnerships with Valley area business, chamber and economic development leaders through my work with RGV FOCUS.”
To learn more about the work of RGV FOCUS, its recent grant awards or Dr. Rodriguez, visit edtx.org/rgv-focus.
