Fred
J. Rodriguez, Ph.D.
President/CEO, CEPA
Biographical Sketch
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Dr.
Federico Rodríguez's professional career covers a wide range of
experience, to include serving as a college Dean/CEO, twenty years as
a university professor, leader of international programs, director of
federal grants, and as an Army officer with the Reserve and Active components.
He holds a B.S. from Idaho State University, a M.Ed. from Colorado State
University, and a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Utah. He has
spent the past fifteen years directing international educational programs
throughout the Americas. This extensive international experience has given
him a strong understanding of Latin America and inter-American regional
affairs.
Dr. Rodríguez's career began when he was commissioned as an infantry officer in the United States Army following his undergraduate studies. He entered active duty in 1969 and completed the Infantry Officer, Ranger, Airborne, and Jungle Warfare Schools. In 1970 he served a one-year tour as a combat officer in the Republic of Vietnam. After leaving active duty in 1972, he entered graduate school and upon completing his Master of Education degree in 1974 he was appointed Assistant Professor and Head Wrestling Coach at California State University, Fresno. In 1976 he accepted a position as Associate Professor of Physical Education and Head Wrestling Coach at California State University, Long Beach where he remained until 1986. During this time he was awarded a one-half million dollar research grant from the United States Department of Education (1983-86) to prepare teachers in the assessment and development of educational programs for the handicapped. The program was developed in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese and was shared nation-wide, in Canada, in six Latin American Countries, and the Caribbean.
In 1986, Dr. Rodríguez returned to active duty with the Army National Guard and for the next two years directed the SROTC program at the University of Southern California. From 1988-91, he was stationed in Panama and traveled widely throughout Central and South America while he was Exercise Staff Officer for a long-range professional educational exchange program between the United States Southern Command and 19 Latin American nations (Fuerzas Unidas). He worked with military and education affairs at strategic levels, i.e., program initiatives related to political, diplomatic, and educational issues.
In 1992 Dr. Rodríguez separated from active duty when he was selected to serve as Chief Executive Officer/Dean of the Panama Canal College, a comprehensive Liberal Arts College, Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS). As the educational leader he was responsible for planning and directing the Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Technology Degree programs for a culturally diverse student body of over 2000. In addition to the on-campus program, he also provided the leadership for educational opportunities for all four branches of the service. Educational programs were conducted at multiple locations, from the Pacific to the Atlantic side of the Isthmus.
Upon his return from Panama, Dr. Rodríguez assumed a professorship in Graduate Education in the California State University System. In 1995 he also developed Collaborative Educational Programs for the Americas (CEPA). CEPA serves as a model for educational restructuring for the 21st Century by promoting ethical, interdisciplinary, and international leadership. The CEPA concept has been well-received, hailed as innovative and strongly endorsed by political leaders, California's Secretary for Education and California's State Superintendent of Public Instruction, as well as prominent individuals from academia, business, law enforcement, and the military. CEPA has also been endorsed by Ministries of Education, Law Enforcement, Defense, and External Relations from Mexico and Latin America. The CEPA Website is: www.cepa2000.org.
In August 2003, Dr. Rodríguez was selected to assume the position
of Director of Education Services at Fort Riley, Kansas. As the chief
educational leader within the Fort Riley community, he is entrusted with
providing the leadership and directing educational opportunities for over
20,000 active duty soldiers, Department of the Army civilians, and family
members.
Dr. Rodríguez and his wife Janet reside in Boise, Idaho.
He is a native of Klamath Falls, Oregon.
Honors and Awards
Dr. Rodríguez's honors and awards include a Letter of Commendation from the Governor of California for meritorious service in hosting the 24th Annual Conference of the Society of Educators and Scholars, March 7-9, 2001; an Honorary Award in appreciation for his dedication to the future of education and educational leadership from graduate students; a Certificate of Recognition from the Consulate of El Salvador for outstanding contributions in the field of international education from 1995-1999, El Salvador, Central America; a Distinguished Visitor's Award from the Honduran Academy of Law Enforcement for outstanding contributions in the field of educational reform, 1999; and a Diploma of Honor and Recognition for his outstanding contribution in promoting international education and a cooperative partnership between Collaborative Educational Programs for the Americas (CEPA) and the universities in Central America.