Graduate Mentor
Rubysela Rodriguez is a Graduate Mentor for the McNair Scholars Program and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, University of California, Santa Barbara. She is a recipient of both the Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship and the Racial Justice Fellowship, which support her work in advancing social and racial equity in higher education. Her research examines the intersectionality of race and class in educational retention and attainment, with a particular focus on marginalized students. Through her work, she aims to foster inclusive environments that promote social justice within academic institutions. Before joining UCSB, Rubysela earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Chicano Studies from California State University, Northridge. Her academic and mentoring experiences are deeply informed by her commitment to supporting underrepresented students in achieving their academic and professional goals.