Innovation in Engineering Education with Dr. Sarah Rodriguez: Ep. 50 | iNNOVATION Insights Podcast
In this episode of iNNOVATION Insights, host Dr. Eulanda Sanders engages in a compelling conversation with Dr. Sarah L. Rodriguez, Associate Professor of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech. Dr. Rodriguez shares her journey from being a Gates Millennium Scholar in high school to becoming a prominent academic. They discuss the importance of mentorship throughout her educational path, highlighted by her relationship with her advisor during her PhD at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Rodriguez emphasizes the significance of setting boundaries in academia, building a brand, and collaborating within her community.
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◾LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-l-rodriguez-74350812/
◾Website: sarahlrodriguez.com
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Dr. Sarah Rodriguez
Associate Professor - Engineering Education, Virginia Tech
Sarah L. Rodriguez is an Associate Professor of Engineering Education and an affiliate faculty member with the Higher Education Program at Virginia Tech. Her work centers STEM environments and identity development for historically marginalized populations at higher education institutions. Dr. Rodriguez is co-editor of the award-winning book, Latin* Students in Engineering: An Intentional Focus on a Growing Population and the upcoming book Supporting Latinas in Engineering and Computing: A Chicana Feminist Approach. Her work is featured in scholarly outlets such as The Review of Higher Education, The Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, and The Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering as well as in popular and policy-based media outlets like Hispanic Outlook and Education Commission of the States’ Strong Start to Finish Series.
She received the 2025 CoNECD (Collaborative Network for Engineering and Computing Diversity) Rising Star in Diversity Award for her work with historically underserved individuals in engineering and computer science as well as the 2025 Women in Engineering Pro-Active Network (WEPAN) Betty Vetter Research Award for notable achievement in research related to women in engineering. She received her PhD in Higher Education Leadership and a certificate in Mexican American Studies from The University of Texas at Austin and holds a master's degree with a focus in College Student Personnel from The University of Tennessee. She holds a bachelor's degree in English and Spanish from Texas A&M University-Commerce and… Read More