Biology major Daniel Rodriguez is leading the effort to maintain the University of Illinois Springfield Community Garden over the summer as the project coordinator. It’s a paid student position where he works 20 hours a week watering the plants, pulling weeds and organizing volunteers. During the school year, Rodriguez is also active as a member of the TARA Meditation Club, the Biology Club and plays on the dodge ball team. When he’s not tending to the garden, Rodriguez works as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at a Springfield nursing home. Following graduation from UIS, he plans to continue his education in the medical field and become a physician assistant.