Milvia Rodriguez serves as the Executive Program Director of the University’s undergraduate Public Policy major and the Civic Leadership Academy, an executive leadership education program at the Harris School of Public Policy for emerging civic leaders in Chicago and Cook County. She began her career at Harris as Associate Director of Academic Advising and Financial Aid, and she has since founded a Student Advisory Board and launched a Mentorship Program connecting undergraduates with graduate students and alumni. When she’s not at Harris, Milvia can be found exploring South Side neighborhoods, playing piano, gardening or reading several books at once.
Q: Can you describe the work you do at the University of Chicago?
My work at the Harris School of Public Policy centers on two primary roles: I serve as the Executive Program Director of both the University’s undergraduate Public Policy major and the Civic Leadership Academy, an executive leadership education program at the Harris School designed for emerging civic leaders in Chicago and Cook County. In this dual role, I can work with a diverse group of students and practitioners who share a deep commitment to public policy and are seeking to understand how they can help make this world a better place at different stages of their journeys.
Q: You started as Associate Director of Academic Advising and Financial Aid at Harris. What have you carried from that role into this one?
I have always approached my work with curiosity and enthusiasm, and I have carried those qualities from the advising role into my current work leading programs and managing staff. Collaboration and relationship-building are central to everything I do, and this approach has served me well over the years, not only at work, but also in my engagement with family, friends, and my broader community. I take great joy in seeing others grow and succeed, and I feel honored to be in a role that allows me to develop the resources and support to enable students, fellows, and alumni to reach their full potential.
Q: You founded a Student Advisory Board and launched a Mentorship Program that connects undergraduates with graduate students and alumni. Why are these programs important to you?
As I mentioned, connecting people to resources and community is very important to me. Undergraduate policy students have a unique advantage over peers in other majors at the College because they have direct access to a professional public policy school like Harris, along with its network of faculty, students, and alumni. I want to ensure that, by connecting the students’ needs with the resources available to them, we can continue to strengthen and enrich their experience in the major. Over the years, our advisory board has contributed so many great ideas and initiatives to our major, and through the mentoring program we have been able to foster lasting relationships between undergraduate and graduate students. I am very proud of how these spaces have evolved and how they continue to create opportunities for everyone involved.
Q: You hold a Doctorate in Musical Arts and studied piano performance and pedagogy in Moscow. How, if at all, does your training as a musician and teacher shape the way you work with students today?
Sometimes I tell students that I am putting on my “music hat” when offering them my best advice. Music and the arts demand careful listening and observation, while also encouraging creativity and thinking outside the box. I see each student as uniquely special—much like a work of art—and I try to engage with each of them in that spirit. In that sense, my approach to students is not so different from the way I listen, perform, and teach music.
Q: What is a memorable experience you’ve had during your time at the University?
I have met so many wonderful people at this University. From students, to staff, to faculty, I feel so lucky to call many of them close friends! My ten years at the University have been the most rewarding long-term learning experience of my life. I have grown tremendously in the last decade, and I continue to be inspired and challenged by the intellectual richness and the depth of knowledge of the people around me. Every day is different and, in that sense, every day is memorable!
Q: You’ve had a great impact on the University. How has the University of Chicago impacted you?
The University, like any institution, is imperfect. Still, we all have agency to make this place more inclusive, and over the years, I have had access to meaningful resources to build and strengthen community through both official and unofficial channels. The freedom and space to do this kind of work has had a profound impact on my own leadership growth and on my experience at UChicago. I have also received great support from across campus to show up as my authentic self and to support others like me. For that, I am grateful!
Q: Beyond your role as Executive Program Director, how else do you like to spend your time?
I love walking and exploring South Side neighborhoods, always looking for new places to discover and support nearby. I have been a Kenwood resident since 2020 and continue to learn about the rich history of this area. Chicago is an incredible city with so much to offer, so I am still uncovering new fun facts all the time! I like to disconnect by playing my piano, gardening, and reading several books at once, although I seem to be unable to finish them all! I also love to travel abroad and visit family in Cuba, Spain, and other places!
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our UChicago community, such as a fun fact about yourself or a personal project?
At the top of my wish list is to learn how to sew. My grandma was a seamstress in Cuba, and I would love to connect with her spirit in that way. If anyone has a suggestion for a class, please do share!