Introducing CVSD's Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

 

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Liliana Rodriguez as Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for the Champlain Valley School District. Dr. Rodriguez will begin her leadership duties on July 1, 2021. Rodriguez’s role will be to work as a part of the CVSD leadership team to lead and direct the district’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work.

Dr. Rodriguez brings a wealth of experience to CVSD. She received her B.A. with honors in psychology from Williams College and her M.S. in clinical psychology and Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She has been a lecturer at Williams College. Liliana (Lili) previously served as an educational consultant, as well as a mental health and substance abuse counselor, for Hampshire College and Berkshire County, Mass., before returning to Williams in 2006 to serve as Director of Diversity Recruitment. She went on to be the Associate Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Development at Swarthmore College. Her most recent experience is that of Vice Chancellor of Campus Life and Inclusive Excellence at the University of Denver.

She has spent the last 20 years providing DEI training to students, staff, and faculty at the institutions she has served, as well as to non-profit leaders, K-12 educators, and several executive boards from a variety of organizations. She believes that we cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach to this work any longer. As she stated in her letter expressing interest in the position, “Individuals need to be met where they are and compassionately walked toward greater understanding. The field has changed radically and the challenges faced are complex but achievable with a firm commitment and innovative ideas. I think I can draw on my work in higher education to be a valuable resource in K-12 education. I genuinely want to help.”

CVSD School Board Chair Angela Arsenault, a member of the search committee, was impressed with Dr. Rodriquez’s experience in the field. “Liliana has dedicated her career to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in educational settings. She holds a deep understanding of the personal nature of the work, a true belief in the value of student voice, and a desire to create measurable goals to effect real change where it's needed. I'm excited to learn from her and to do all we can as a board and a community to embrace the incredible expertise and wisdom Liliana brings to our district.”

Fabienne Boisvert-DeFazio, a community member from Shelburne who served on the search committee added, "I was happy to be part of a fair and impartial interview process of numerous highly qualified candidates. Our lengthy and thorough work resulted in the selection of Liliana Rodriguez, who I believe will bring lived experience, expertise, and mindfulness to the DEI Director position at CVSD. As a community member, I would like to thank the Superintendent and the School Board for following through and filling this vital position."

Dr. Rodriguez impressed the committee with her deep knowledge of equity issues, her successes in identifying and driving real change in educational institutions, her examples of connecting with students, and her demonstrated strength in communication. She says that she is excited to join CVSD and is excited to get started. We are just as excited to begin our work with her and learn with her.