Christopher Rodriguez, FAAC^®
Director of Financial Aid
Rowan College South Jersey 
EASFAA

Christopher Rodriguez, FAAC^®, has 23 years of financial aid experience, currently serving as director of financial aid at Rowan College South Jersey. Additionally, Christopher has served in the aid offices at Middlesex County College and Cumberland County College. 

Diversity has always been a concern to him, he says, noting that many marginalized communities face struggles and challenges. He writes that leadership in higher education needs to better reflect the student population it serves. 

“In recent years and decades, we have seen a shift in leadership roles,” Christopher writes. “Glass ceilings are being broken. Diversity is crucial in the workplace, especially in leadership. I am a firm believer that leadership brings in fresh ideas, procedures, and ways of thinking.”

Christopher shares that being a part of the Diversity Leadership Program has always been an ambition of his.

“I want to be an example to others that anything is possible,” Christopher writes. “Learning the best ways to develop in leadership from a diversity standpoint is essential in higher education and a personal goal for me.”

Learn more about Christopher in the brief Q&A below.

How did you get your start in financial aid?

I actually started as a work-study student, like a lot of individuals have. It was my first semester in college and I had just lost my full-time job. I signed up for the work-study program and it was just by random that I picked financial aid, but it was something that I grew to fall in love with very quickly.

How have you seen diversity in higher education change since you began your career?

It's definitely grown. I've been in the field for 23 years now and you definitely see the difference. I think the biggest difference is people aren't afraid to be themselves. You see a lot more confidence. People are confident and proud of who they are, and the experiences and everything that came with them.

What’s a challenge within financial aid that you personally have overcome that you're proud of?

My biggest challenge in life, at least through my work in financial aid, was that I grew up extremely shy and quiet. I was the kid that no one ever heard the sound of my voice. And that interfered with me in the workplace, working in financial aid. I had to grow and really push myself to have daily encounters with students, families, co-workers, and administration. 

But beyond that, I really was at a point in my life, over 10 years ago, where I really wanted to move further in my career. I knew that my shyness was really hindering that. So I made it a focus to make sure I volunteer for every presentation there was, no matter how large the audience. That has forced myself to get over my fear. 

How does your perspective impact how you do your job and approach financial aid?

I think my personal perspective comes in every day. When I work with students – I don't see as many students in person anymore being the director of financial aid – but I always remember that every student is different. Every student has their own story and comes with their own unique experiences and circumstances that they came from.

What are some of your life goals?

In two weeks, I'm actually going to be defending my Ph.D. dissertation and that was always one of my biggest goals, was to get to that point and obtain my Ph.D.

Who is your favorite historical figure, and why?

I personally believe in having many different mentors – you don't just have one mentor in your life, you have many. So it's really hard to answer a question like this and just pick out one person. But I would have to say Martin Luther King, Jr. for his commitment to social justice advocacy.