Omar Rodriguez has played a crucial role in the development of students here at Stonehill since his arrival 12 years ago.
Rodriguez has been a familiar face in the Office of Academic Advising for the last two years, helping students academically alongside being the driving force for the First Gen Scholars Program. He has now transitioned into being the Associate Director of the Office of Intercultural Affairs and made the switch mid-year.
“My new role at OIA consists of providing guidance and support to advocate for Stonehill’s social justice driven student leaders. Also to marginalized student groups on campus, such as LGBTQ+, international students, first-gen students, neurodivergent students, and students of color,” said Rodriguez.
“My old role at OAA, was mainly academic support to all students, but most particularly towards the students involved in the four-year cohort in the first-gen scholars’ program,” said Rodriguez.
Omars new job, isn’t vastly different than his role at OAA. He is now just taking on a bigger size of students he must get acquainted with and grow accustomed to.
“I’d say the difference between OAA and OIA is that I am now focusing more on the expansion of the cohort within the first-gen students on campus. Before I was just involved in the 62 students inside the small cohort, now it is 699 first-generation students altogether. My focus now is less on the academic side, (while that is still a priority) but now more on the personal side and being more involved in the students’ lives. I work on student group advising across the seven student-led dialogue groups such as the Mosaic group, Rise, Women in Color, etc,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez switched roles on Sept. 23. Leaving so abruptly in the semester, he had this to say about the difficulties faced during the switch.
“Firstly, I would say the disconnection from the first-gen program. No longer managing the ambassadors and the first-gen mentors. I feel as if that is a program that I feel really proud of growing and developing and they make up some of my favorite students on campus. Having to say goodbye to that has been incredibly difficult. For my new role specifically, I would say building a rapport and establishing new relationships at a fast pace with the ABS family. They are all very caring students who want what’s best for not only themselves but students across campus. So how do I fit in and grow connections with them and learn from them,” said Rodriguez.
He wasn’t hesitant to say that he misses OAA.
“Yes, I miss parts of it. I miss the student center team, the student leaders, and the mentors and ambassadors but at the same time I am very fortunate for my position now.”
Rodriguez's biggest reason to switch roles was for growth of professional development. Alongside that, he does feel comfortable in his new role but knows time will tell all.
“I switched roles mainly for professional development and growth. I saw a new opportunity to grow and to help assist marginalized students and a larger variety of first-gen students,” he said.
“I am 29 days into the job and on a scale of 1-10 I would rate my comfortableness at a 7-8. I am still learning the ropes and getting comfortable with the student ABS leaders and getting to know them. Luckily, I have a great partner in Teddi Nguyen Lydon who has been incredible to me."
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