Victor Rodríguez Earns 'Overcoming the Odds' Award

Victor Rodríguez has received the 2021 Kate Garrison “Overcoming the Odds” Award at Pacific University.

Rodríguez is an associate professor of Spanish in the College of Arts & Sciences. In addition to his dedication as a caring and supportive teacher, Rodriguez supports students through a wide variety of outside-the-classroom activities.

He is the advisor for the Association of Latinx and Ally Students (ALAS) and has helped implement robust Student Affairs programming to provide a mentoring program for Latinx students and their support systems. 

“He goes out of his way to ensure that students are exposed to valuable opportunities and resources and spends a considerable amount of time outside of class getting to know them — not just a students, but as people,” said one student.

“He is the person students can go to for help, and if he cannot help them directly, he goes out of his way to connect them with someone who can and then checks in with the student to assure they have been assisted,” said another student. “He always lets us know that he is there for us in any capacity we need him.”

The Kate Garrison “Overcoming the Odds” Award recognizes a faculty or staff member who is a pioneer, trailblazer or innovator to advance justice and equity.