STUDENT PROFILE
Getting Noticed, Giving Back
A
AT THE YOUNG AGE of twenty-four,
recognized while taking a
to help improve the lives of fellow Mexican
Yuliana Rodriguez is working
class with Dr. Andrew Sup-
immigrants in the community, but she also
on her PhD in Human Devel-
ple, associate professor in
hopes to change the lives of high school and
opment and Family Studies at
Human Development and
college students. Rodriguez delivered the key-
UNCG. She already holds both
Family Studies. It was an
note address to over 300 Latino students at
a bachelor’s and master’s degree
upper level course and Rodri-
the annual Soy un Lider [I am a Leader] con-
in the same field.
guez was a hard worker, but
ference held at Guilford College in November
Born in Mexico, Rodriguez
still a little shy. She checked
2012. She spoke about her research and
came with her family to the
her email one day and had a
time at college to students from Guilford, Ala-
United States when she was
message from Supple asking
mance, and Forsyth schools. “There was this
three. Her father had a job in
if she would be interested
great moment where a couple students came up
North Carolina and worked for a number of
in doing research with another professor
and asked me questions. I remembered when
years to save money for his family’s new life
outside of his class. Learning that the re-
that had been me, and I was too scared to ask
in the Piedmont area. Although her father
search team was working to develop tools to
those questions,” she said, smiling wistfully.
spoke English, her mother did not know the
help immigrant families maintain strong
Rodriguez wants to open doors for students
language at all. Her older sisters would come
marriages and family ties, she was instantly
who may never have thought of college as an
home from school speaking English to each
interested and joined the team.
option. She is working to make information
other and Rodriguez took it all in. Later in
Rodriguez’s eyes lit up as she talked about
more readily available for these students so
kindergarten, she learned English quickly.
her research. Nearly all of the interviews that
that no one will have to tackle it alone.
She studied diligently and excelled academ-
the research team conducted were entirely in
Rodriguez’s mentor, Dr. Helms says,
ically throughout her early school years.
Spanish. Finally, she was able to use her Span-
“I’m so impressed with Yuliana’s strength,
Unfortunately, Rodriguez’s collegiate suc-
ish language skills to better the lives of others.
determination, and commitment to compas-
cess had a challenging start. As a high school
Finally, an academic institution recognized
sionately give back to the community while at
student in Winston-Salem, it was difficult for
her. Her research instructor, Dr. Heather Helms
the same time she is juggling the rigors of our
her to get information about college. After
encouraged her to
PhD program. She
attempting to contact her guidance counselor
cons ider graduate
recently presented
multiple times without success, Rodriguez felt
school.“She would
lost. This difficulty had nothing to do with
write notes to me,
Rodriguez’s grades; she graduated at the top
saying, ‘Have you
of her high school class. “I was always a quiet
thought about going
student,” she explained. “I expressed myself
to graduate school?’”
best in homework and in papers, but no one
Rodriguez said. “I
I personally want to
really encouraged me to think about college,
had never thought
thank The Graduate
or even ask me if I wanted to go. I heard teach-
about it before. She started planting those
School for all it has done to support her in
ers asking other students, but no one ever
ideas in my head...I had someone introduc-
her pursuit of a PhD—it makes me proud to
stopped to ask me about my college plans. I
ing me to something bigger than my original
be faculty here!”
realized that if I wanted to go to college, I had
undergraduate degree plan,” she explained.
Rodriguez smiles when she talks about
to find out what I needed to do for myself.”
After taking the GRE, Rodriguez applied to
graduate school, and it is easy to tell that
When choosing a college, Rodriguez
graduate schools across the country. She was
she has established deep roots here at
wanted to stay close to home. She felt
accepted everywhere she applied, but finally
UNCG. “UNCG has instilled in me a sense of
UNCG was a great fit. Fortunately, her expe-
decided to stay at UNCG. “North Carolina
responsibility to reach out to my community.
rience here quickly grew into something
kept calling to me. And the doors that [UNCG]
I have been given the gift of an education
significantly more positive than high school.
has opened up for me...well, it’s made me feel
and I now consider it my responsibility to
“I’m so happy I enrolled at UNCG because it
like I can do anything I want to do,” she said.
give back. I am so grateful to be part of an
was here that, for the first time, I experienced
Rodriguez decided to pursue her PhD in the
institution that values the power of knowledge
a teacher coming to me and talking to me
same field as she wants to teach. “I see that
as highly as the power of community.”
about my options...somebody noticed me.
you can positively influence the lives of so
Ms. Rodriguez is the recipient of the Patricia
A professor said, ‘Hey, do you want to work
many people. I also want to work in the commu-
R. Harris Scholarship, sponsored by the US
on a research project?’ Someone was actu-
nity; I want to have my feet in both worlds.”
Department of Education for 2012-13, and
ally encouraging me to speak out.”
For now, Rodriguez continues to work on
the UNCG Graduate School’s Inclusiveness
As an undergraduate, Rodriguez was
her PhD and her research projects. She hopes
Fellowship for 2011-12.
“UNCG HAS INSTILLED IN ME A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO REACH OUT TO MY COMMUNITY.”
her research at our national professional conference in Phoeni x. As Yuliana ’ s advisor and mentor,