Colton Native and CSUSB Associate Professor Deemed "Emerging Leader"

Louie F. Rodriguez, an associate professor of educational leadership at California State University, San Bernardino, has been recognized as an Emerging Leader by Phi Delta Kappa International, a global association of education professionals. “I'm honored to be in the company of such an esteemed cohort of awardees,” said Rodriguez, who is also co-director of CSUSB’s doctoral studies program in educational leadership. “I believe excellence exists in every classroom, school, and community, and take every opportunity to engage students, teachers, leaders and community stakeholders in conversation about what excellence means at the local level, how we can celebrate it, how we can learn from it, and how we can sustain it to create more equitable opportunities for all.” Born and raised in Colton, Rodriguez attended Colton High School, obtained an associate degree from San Bernardino Valley College then transferred to Cal State San Bernardino, where he received a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Through CSUSB’s McNair Scholar's Program and the mentorship of his professor, David Chavez, Rodriguez landed a summer research post at Harvard that opened the door to its Graduate School of Education, where he later earned a doctorate in education in administration, planning and social policy. Because of his experiences, Rodriguez is a strong advocate for higher education among Latinos, especially in his own community. “Since his arrival on campus in 2009, Dr. Rodriguez has been very productive in publication, especially as it relates to ‘student voice’ and in communicating ways students can be more engaged by their education communities,” said Jay Fiene, dean of the College of Education. “We are always pleased to see one of our CSUSB alumni succeed; and to have them return and pay it forward in our community, is all the better,” said Fiene. Rodriguez is proud to share his educational journey — which took him to the East Coast and Harvard and back to California — with students, educators, leaders, parents and groups from the community where he grew up. PDK International is a professional association for educators that brings together the top leaders, thinkers and doers to collaborate and inspire one another. Rodriguez and 25 others will be recognized as up-and-coming leaders in education and agents of change at a weekend networking event this December. The PDK Emerging Leaders will gather in Washington, D.C., meet with federal education policy makers and share best practices with each other.