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There’s no doubt Dr. Rodriguez loves his job.

“Teaching in this program is a blast. It’s fun. It’s a pleasure. The students we get are the most dedicated, hardest working students you’ll see in any discipline. They are already mature. They’ve seen the world and they know the ropes. They have work experience and they know what’s at stake.”

GPNA students cannot be classified by any definition of “traditional student.” All are registered nurses who have at least one year experience providing critical care to patients. All have left their jobs and returned to school full-time.

“These students don’t accept failure and they don’t accept not knowing. They will study as much as needed to know. In class, they challenge me in a good way. They ask really tough questions that go above and beyond what I’ve taught them.”

Dr. Rodriguez joined the Wesleyan faculty in 1990 and taught undergraduate chemistry courses until moving to the GPNA program in 2007. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he also serves as the Associate Director of the Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Program. Dr. Rodriguez said it doesn’t matter if he’s teaching freshmen in General Chemistry I or graduate students in Advanced Research Methods for the Health Science, he simply enjoys teaching. While the complexity of the subject matter may differ, one thing that never changes is his approach to teaching.

“I am a pump and not a filter. My job is not to clear out those who can’t make it. My job is to push them forward to where they need to be. I help them get to the next level.”

Education:
Ph. D. Chemistry, Texas Christian University
B.S. Chemistry, Baylor University

Did You Know?
Dr. Rodriguez is a self-described “gear head.” He enjoys collecting classic cars and working with his son restoring and maintaining them. Currently residing in his garage are a 1973 Plymouth Road Runner 400, a ’73 Road Runner 440, and a ’73 Road Runner GTX.