Jessica Rodriguez
Community Leadership Training Coordinator
Bilingual
• About Me:
I was born and raised in Texas by immigrant parents from Mexico. Growing up, I spent much of my childhood traveling to Mexico to visit my relatives. Those visits are some of my fondest memories as a child. I received a double BA in psychology and communications and am in the process of completing my Master’s in Conflict Transformation from The School for International Training. I spent two years working as a Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador. There, I met my husband who has been my traveling partner ever since.
• What I do at RDI:
I am a Bilingual Leadership Training Coordinator for the RAICES and Cultivando Comunidad programs.
• State where I was born:
Waco, Texas (please, don’t judge me just yet!)
• What I wanted to be when I was 8 years old:
A veterinarian, then I got bit by a dog and that was the end of that.
• Interesting previous job(s) I've held:
My first job was working with a judge in Texas. I basically was a go-fer for the secretaries.
• One of my personal goals for :
Continue studying American Sign Language and Mandarin Chinese
• A place I want to visit at least once in my lifetime:
Everywhere, I love to travel. India, Cambodia, Israel/Palestine, Bolivia and Outer Space, just to name a few!
• My favorite book and why:
Lluvia de Oro (Rain of Gold). It was one of the first books that inspired me to overcome my challenges and continue my higher education.
• My favorite board game:
Yahtzee
• The coolest thing someone has done for me:
While living in El Salvador as a Peace Corps volunteer, I constantly visited families in the village that I lived in. I will never forget that in spite of living in extreme poverty, Salvadorans were always willing to share their beans and tortillas with me. It showed me the true meaning of selflessness.
> Click to Return to Staff Listing
Community Leadership Training Coordinator
Bilingual
• About Me:
I was born and raised in Texas by immigrant parents from Mexico. Growing up, I spent much of my childhood traveling to Mexico to visit my relatives. Those visits are some of my fondest memories as a child. I received a double BA in psychology and communications and am in the process of completing my Master’s in Conflict Transformation from The School for International Training. I spent two years working as a Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador. There, I met my husband who has been my traveling partner ever since.
• What I do at RDI:
I am a Bilingual Leadership Training Coordinator for the RAICES and Cultivando Comunidad programs.
• State where I was born:
Waco, Texas (please, don’t judge me just yet!)
• What I wanted to be when I was 8 years old:
A veterinarian, then I got bit by a dog and that was the end of that.
• Interesting previous job(s) I've held:
My first job was working with a judge in Texas. I basically was a go-fer for the secretaries.
• One of my personal goals for :
Continue studying American Sign Language and Mandarin Chinese
• A place I want to visit at least once in my lifetime:
Everywhere, I love to travel. India, Cambodia, Israel/Palestine, Bolivia and Outer Space, just to name a few!
• My favorite book and why:
Lluvia de Oro (Rain of Gold). It was one of the first books that inspired me to overcome my challenges and continue my higher education.
• My favorite board game:
Yahtzee
• The coolest thing someone has done for me:
While living in El Salvador as a Peace Corps volunteer, I constantly visited families in the village that I lived in. I will never forget that in spite of living in extreme poverty, Salvadorans were always willing to share their beans and tortillas with me. It showed me the true meaning of selflessness.
> Click to Return to Staff Listing