•Education•

Education:
-Master of Education (M.Ed) in Higher Education — Harvard University
-B.A. in English Literature, Education Minor — University of California, Los Angeles

Ruben D. Rodriguez has dedicated his career to opening doors for students in engineering, using his own journey as inspiration for how to make higher education more equitable and empowering.  For the last several years of his still young career, his passion and skill had a remarkable impact on the students at the University of California, San Diego, achievements for which he’s receiving this award. In September of 2025, he embarked on a new challenge, taking his considerable skillset to Next Generation Scholars as their new Director of Academic and Career Services.

As Program Coordinator at UC San Diego’s IDEA Engineering Student Center, he became a driving force behind initiatives that support student success, expand research opportunities, and cultivate a sense of belonging in the Jacobs School of Engineering. From 2018, Rodriguez oversaw the IDEA Scholars Program, a comprehensive, cohort-based initiative that annually serves more than 250 undergraduate engineering students from historically underrepresented and underserved backgrounds. Under his leadership, the program grew into a cornerstone of UCSD’s commitment to inclusive excellence, combining academic support, mentoring, professional development, and community building. Outcomes speak for themselves: IDEA Scholars boast an 88.5% retention and graduation rate—13% higher than their peers—and report significantly higher levels of belonging, particularly among first-generation students.

Rodriguez also taught Orientation to Engineering Profession, a first-year experience course that equips students with academic strategies, growth mindset principles, and professional resources. Beyond coursework, he worked tirelessly to ensure students took part in resume workshops, research pathways, and industry tours—introducing them to the professional world early in their academic journey. These intentional efforts helped students translate their academic potential into tangible career opportunities, with many going on to secure positions at leading companies or admission into top graduate programs like MIT, Stanford, and CalTech.

Rodriguez’s impact extended beyond formal programs by advising and supporting student organizations such as SHPE, NSBE, SWE, and others. These groups, under his mentorship, led outreach to K-12 communities and organized events that inspire underserved youth to see themselves as future engineers. By fostering mentorship and leadership among his students, Rodriguez created a ripple effect that reached far beyond UC San Diego.

Rodriguez’s ability to connect with students comes from lived experience. Raised in a Mexican-American family just north of the border, he was introduced to technology through his father’s work in high-end audio equipment. At UCLA, he faced academic challenges, including probation, before finding support through mentoring and student life. These struggles informed his empathetic, high-touch advising style—he knows firsthand the difference a mentor can make.

After earning bachelor’s degrees in Creative Writing and Education at UCLA, Rodriguez worked with nonprofit organizations in South San Diego before deciding to pursue a Master’s in Education from Harvard. Returning to San Diego, he combined his passion for education with his background in equity-focused programming, ultimately joining UCSD.

Outside of work, Rodriguez remains a creative at heart—writing music, attending concerts, and nurturing his love for the beach, soccer, and vinyl records. His personal journey reflects resilience and creativity, qualities that continue to inspire the students he mentors.