Chancellor, Los Angeles Community College District

Rodriguez in 2014 assumed the post of chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District, the largest such district in the nation with nine colleges, 215,000 students and a $5.5 billion budget. Rodriguez navigated the district through the Covid pandemic, keeping all nine colleges operational with a mix of in-person classes and remote learning. He is also helming the district’s $400 million capital improvements program, including a recently completed culinary arts building on the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College campus. Prior to leading the LACCD, Rodriguez served as president of Consumnes River College in Sacramento and as superintendent and president of Mira Costa Community College in northern San Diego County.

YEARS ON THE LA500: 2