Harris' Milvia Rodriguez Receives Marlene F. Richman Award

Milvia Rodriguez, Assistant Director of Student Affairs, Academic Advising, and Financial Aid at Harris Public Policy, is this year’s recipient of the University of Chicago’s Marlene F. Richman Award for Excellence and Dedication in Service to Students. Recipients are nominated by students, and only one staff person at the University receives this award each year.

Students have praised Rodriguez for her “warmth and care,” as well as always greeting people with a smile. “Her support goes beyond that of an academic advisor,” said one student. “She also has the amazing quality of interacting with others with a closeness that speaks of camaraderie,” said another.

“Milvia exhibits the kind of empathy, kindness, and dedication that can’t be taught,” says Kate Shannon Biddle, Dean of Students and Director of Student Affairs.

Rodriguez serves as an academic advisor for the master’s students, oversees student financial aid advising and processing, and provides staff support to student organizations such as Minorities in Public Policy, Latin American Matters, and Black Action for Public Policy.

Prior to joining Harris, Rodriguez worked with the administrative team of the Norris University Center at Northwestern University, and was a lecturer at Nova Southeastern University and Belmont University. At Belmont, she also served as staff accompanist for the Belmont Opera and instrumental/voice faculty studios. She holds a doctorate in musical arts form University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a master’s in higher education from Northwestern University, and a master’s in piano performance from Gnessin Academic of Music in Moscow, Russia

Congratulations, Milvia!