Benjamin "Ben" Rodriguez is the recipient of the 2009 Roberto G. Sánchez Award from Centro Hispano of Dane County for promoting educational opportunities in the Latino community.
The award acknowledges his role as "an essential link between the Latino community and institutions of higher education. His outreach to local high schools and low income neighborhoods has inspired Latino engagement in public service initiatives and built leadership."
Rodriguez, an assistant dean in the Letters & Science Student Academic Affairs, also created the UW-Student Job Center, helped found the First Wave Spoken Word program, was the Director of the Academic Advancement Program and the Madison Mentor Program. As cofounder of LAFSA (Latina/o faculty, staff, and graduate students), Rodriguez promoted recruitment and retention of many first generation college students.
Rodriguez has been an integral part of the lives of the students he advises, assisting them with their finances, personal issues, and overcoming racism. His ability to build community is further demonstrated by the admiration of the students he serves.