Vice chancellor of Academic Affairs recognized as ‘champion for diversity efforts’ at Board of Regents meeting in Madison
By Abbey Goers, UW Stout
In honor of her more than 18 years of actively contributing to equity, diversity and inclusion efforts at University of Wisconsin-Stout, Provost Glendalí Rodríguez, vice chancellor of Academic Affairs, is receiving a Regents Diversity Award from the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents.
The award recognizes agents of change, who demonstrate exceptional efforts in fostering greater equity and diversity, including access and success to historically underrepresented, first-generation or economically disadvantaged students. It is given to individuals and programs that promote forward movement on equity and diversity goals and that collaborate within the university and beyond.
“We are proud to recognize the profound impact of these individuals and programs in areas of diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Regent Héctor Colón. “Students, faculty and staff of all backgrounds are benefiting from their dedication to expanding opportunity and building partnerships.”
Rodríguez and other honorees will receive their awards at the 16th annual Regents’ Diversity Awards on Friday, Feb. 9, in Madison as part of the Board of Regents meeting.
“I am humbled by this recognition and want to thank all the diversity champions within the Universities of Wisconsin for their persistence,” Rodríguez said. “Eighteen years at UW-Stout has passed quickly for me, and our FOCUS2030 goals guide complex work across the university and community. I am grateful for my colleagues, and the hard work of the faculty and staff in support of student success.”
Chancellor Katherine Frank believes that “as a bilingual woman of color in a discipline and industry comprised of predominantly white men, Glendalí has persevered and has not only succeeded, but triumphed as a leader, change agent and model for others to follow.”
UW-Stout’s interim executive director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Rickie-Ann Legleitner received the award in 2023, and Fostering Success, the first-of-its-kind program on Universities on Wisconsin campuses, in 2020.
Rodríguez has served in positions ranging from all levels of professorship to department chair of construction to associate provost to provost. She has led as secretary and treasurer of the Minority Faculty and Staff Network, now known as the Underrepresented Faculty and Staff Alliance, and created its mentorship aspect to help new faculty and staff connect with the university and local community and advance along their professional trajectory.
Rodríguez worked with students to help re-establish the UW-Stout Chapter of Latinos Unidos and served as their faculty adviser for two years. The chapter has since grown to be one of the largest and most active student organizations at UW-Stout.
She led the inaugural Comprehensive Academic Planning process for Academic Affairs, resulting in a detailed, five-year academic plan that includes alignment of academic programming with the needs of all students. Her work on this plan was recognized by her peers in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities' Student Success Institute, which presented her with the Fellows Choice Award last summer.
Dean of Students Sandi Scott and Scott Pierson, director of the Office of International Education, agree. “Throughout her tenure at Stout, Glendalí has always been a champion for diversity efforts. Now that is she is in a leadership role as the provost, she leverages her position to encourage and support EDI efforts at the state and system level and continues to ‘walk the talk,’ paving the way for students, staff and faculty to embrace EDI efforts,” they said.
Rodríguez received the Lifetime of Service Diversity Award from the Wisconsin State Council on Affirmative Action in fall 2023 for her impact on efforts across the institution for the last two decades.
Other Diversity Award recipients were UW-Green Bay Professor Christine Smith and UW-Whitewater’s Campus Garden Program. UW-Stout’s Multicultural Student Services also received a nomination.
Recipients are awarded $7,500 to support professional development or honored programs.
UW-Stout is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes. Learn more via the FOCUS2030 strategic plan.
