Ray Rodriguez Joins UIS as Senior Director of Access and Equity, Title IX Coordinator

Publish Date

2025-04-10

Ray Rodriguez, MPH, NBC-HWC, started as the Senior Director of Access and Equity and as the Title IX Coordinator for UIS on Monday, March 31, 2025.

Rodriguez brings nearly four decades of leadership experience in higher education, specializing in diversity, equity, reproductive health, violence prevention, ethics, inclusion and federal compliance.

“I appreciate the size and attention to the student that UIS can provide,” Rodriguez said. “There’s a sense from the students I’ve spoken with that UIS cares about them, their engagement and their futures. I also like that UIS has teams across the administrative spectrum that interface with the Office of Access and Equity, where I work. That means the work isn’t siloed and is connected to vital aspects of the university.”

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Rodriguez is a long-time member of the Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA). He holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and will complete his Ph.D. in Health Professions from Rocky Mountain University, with a dissertation focused on graduate students and sexual violence, this summer.

His career includes leadership roles at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Duke University, Iowa State University, UNLV and SUNY Oswego. In addition to his administrative work, Rodriguez has been a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach since 2019.

Outside of work, Rodriguez enjoys traveling, hiking, science fiction, Disney, and spending time with his partner, their two children and their dog.

At UIS, Rodriguez’s professional goals include expanding campus-wide understanding of equity through outreach and education, particularly in connection with federal civil rights regulations. He also aims to build strong partnerships across campus to ensure inclusive and equitable experiences for all members of the university community.