Diana Rodríguez vividly remembers what it’s like to navigate the complex and daunting U.S. college admissions process as a racially minoritized, first-generation college student. Raised by Mexican immigrant parents in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, Rodríguez’s family valued education but had little access to guidance for first-generation college students and their families. 

But, at 14, Rodríguez found an advocate. During a summer STEM program for Latinx middle schoolers at the University of Illinois Chicago, a program volunteer recognized Rodríguez’s potential. An alumna of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the volunteer had attended ACES’ pre-college summer programs and thought Rodríguez would benefit from attending. She called Rodríguez’s reluctant parents, speaking to them in Spanish in hopes of convincing them to allow their young daughter to attend a weeklong program in Urbana. They said yes.

Her first time away from Chicago on her own, high school freshman Rodríguez felt completely supported and at home in ACES. The next year — and again for every subsequent year of high school — she was back on campus for a seven-week summer research apprentice program hosted by ACES. With guidance from ACES’ former assistant dean and coordinator of diversity programs Jesse Thompson, Rodríguez applied to the Department of Human Development and Family Studies within ACES. She graduated in 2006. 

Rodríguez returned to ACES in 2016 as a recruiter based in Chicago. There, she visited area high schools and placed students in ACES’ pre-college programs, coached students and their families through admissions and scholarship applications, and helped them find community and belonging after enrolling.

“My community didn't have the tools to guide me towards college, to talk to me about admissions, financial aid, scholarships, or even summer opportunities like the research apprentice program. So, when I had the opportunity to become a recruiter for the College of ACES, I was excited to come back to my Chicago community and spread the word about the wonderful programs the college has to offer,” Rodríguez said. “It’s especially important for us first-generation students. We don't always get informed about these great opportunities.”

Rodríguez regularly visits high schools throughout the Chicagoland area, building relationships with students as early as their freshman and sophomore years and introducing them to ACES majors. In the urban metropolis of Chicago, Rodríguez works hard to showcase the benefits of an ACES degree to students.  

“For a lot of students, farming is what comes to their mind when they hear the word ‘agriculture’ in our college name,” she said. “But ACES is not just farming. It’s business, natural resources, food science, family science, community, engineering, animal sciences, research, and so much more.  

“We also put a lot of emphasis on careers, internships, and study abroad. The amount of support and opportunities we offer captivates their attention right away,” she added.

With the ACES Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, newly established in January 2024, Rodríguez has moved into an elevated role. Now, as the assistant director of inclusive recruitment and retention for the college, she is dedicated to ensuring success for students like her. In her new role, Rodríguez will now provide strategic guidance to the college broadly regarding inclusive practices in recruiting and retaining diverse student groups. 

“Diana is a huge asset to the college,” said Elizabeth Olson, ACES associate dean for DEI. “With her passion, experience, and expertise in connecting with and supporting the unique needs of diverse student groups, Diana has long championed the DEI efforts in ACES and will help us continue to grow in this area.”

Recent ACES alumna Paola Beltrán Gutiérrez acknowledges Rodríguez’s role in her success. “As a first-generation college graduate, I am where I am today because of the support, compassion, and advocacy of people like Diana Rodríguez. I think everyone who has the pleasure of knowing Diana can attest that she is a pioneer of the already established DEI efforts in the college and a mentor who makes you feel at home and like you belong.”

Rodríguez recognizes that some students, especially first-generation college students and racial and ethnic minority students, benefit from intentional community-building efforts in the context of U. of I.’s predominantly white population. As such, she is developing innovative pre-college programs to ensure a broad array of students feel a sense of belonging in ACES, as well as broadening the college’s retention programs to address these needs.

For example, Rodríguez oversees a successful initiative where Chicago high school students come to campus to shadow current ACES students and learn how to navigate life as a college student. She also supports student affinity groups in ACES, including the U. of I. chapter of the national organization Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS). The club represents an important tool to enhance belonging and retention for students of color in ACES. It has also been a great mechanism for Rodríguez to maintain those personal connections with students she recruited and support them throughout their time in ACES.

“It’s satisfying to see students I’ve known since they were high school freshmen or sophomores in our summer pipeline programs go into our undergraduate programs, then cross the stage at graduation and go on to amazing jobs or graduate school,” she said. “Seeing them be successful and happy, and knowing they’ve achieved what they wanted, is everything.

“They’ll tell me, ‘Diana, we followed our heart.’ That's the one piece of advice that I always give my students: follow your heart. Whether you choose ACES or not, just know that I want you to be happy. That's what sparks the light in their eyes. To me, watching them follow their hearts is my biggest accomplishment.”

To support these continued efforts of inclusive recruitment and retention, make a contribution online at aces.illinois.edu/give and include “ACES Diversity, Equity and Inclusion General Fund - 342897” in the “Other” field.” To explore other giving opportunities that support our students, contact the Office of Advancement at 217-333-9355 or acesadvancement@illinois.edu.