Seattle - The
University of Washington School of Law
has hired Norma Rodriguez as the new Director of Recruitment and Diversity.
She received her M.A. ('96) and Ph.D. ('01) from the UW and most recently worked
as an assistant professor at California State University, Chico.
The daughter of farm workers, Rodriguez said she is the first in her family to
have attended college. "My father immigrated from Mexico," said the native
of Buttonwillow, Calif. "It was very important to my family that I go to
college." Her mother had her focus on attending nearby California State
University, Bakersfield, where she received her bachelor's degree in political
science ('92).
Because of her background, Rodriguez has always endeavored to incorporate race
and ethnicity issues into her career, including writing it into her curriculum
as a professor. She saw the UW law school position as a "perfect
combination of what I was looking for: working with students and
addressing diversity issues."
Among her many tasks at the UW School of Law, Rodriguez will work with high
school and undergraduate students who may be considering a career in the law.
"It's important for underrepresented students to see their peers in the law
school and legal field," she said. "My job is to create opportunities for
students who otherwise may not have access to them."