Luther College has appointed Diego Rodriguez as its new director of student activities and leadership, bringing an experienced higher-education and student-affairs administrator to the Decorah campus.
Dean of Students Julie Thornton announced Rodriguez’s appointment July 21. Rodriguez joined Luther’s student life team Wednesday, July 8, according to the college.
A background in student engagement and leadership
Rodriguez arrives at Luther with more than 20 years of leadership experience supporting students across higher education, NASA and student affairs. His most recent position was director of multicultural and international student support and engagement at the University of Iowa.
At Iowa, Rodriguez provided leadership for more than 40 clubs and student organizations, as well as multiple cultural centers. He advised student leaders, supported leadership-development initiatives and helped students navigate university policies, develop programming and build inclusive communities.
Before his work at Iowa, Rodriguez served as assistant director for educational programs at the Institute of Data Science at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. In that role, he designed and proposed credit-bearing education and workforce-development programs and strengthened partnerships across the university.
Experience spans Grinnell College and NASA
Rodriguez also led Grinnell College’s employer engagement and internship program. There, he developed strategic recruitment initiatives designed to connect students with career opportunities.
Earlier in his career, Rodriguez held several leadership roles with NASA. He managed national education and workforce-development initiatives for the space agency.
Thornton said Rodriguez’s mix of experience at the University of Iowa, Texas A&M and Grinnell, along with his NASA and student-affairs background, will support Luther’s efforts to strengthen student support and engagement.
“Diego brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in supporting students at a variety of higher education institutions, NASA and student affairs. His most recent experience at the University of Iowa, coupled with his time at Texas A&M and Grinnell, will help us to continue to strengthen student support and student engagement,” Thornton said.
Rodriguez’s education
Rodriguez holds a Master of Education in Differentiated Instruction from Concordia University-Texas in Austin and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration from Concordia University-Wisconsin in Mequon.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bluffton College in Bluffton, Ohio.
Luther’s announcement identifies Rodriguez as the college’s director of student activities and leadership but does not provide additional details about specific programs or changes he plans to introduce. The college listed Michelle Volkmann, its media relations specialist, as the media contact for the announcement.