After six years as director of Minority Student Affairs, Rafael Rodriguez has decided to start a new chapter in his life. Unfortunately, Rodriguez’s next job won’t be as a Cyclone.

For personal and professional reasons, Rodriguez is leaving Iowa State. In turn, the university is losing one of its best leaders.

While Rodriguez was director, the Minority Student Affairs office made great strides in helping minority students adjust to Iowa State.

The MSA office coordinates several programs including the Academic Program for Excellence, Carver Academy, the Early Success Program and others that help incoming minority students adjust to college.

In 2000, Rodriguez was one of the organizers for the first Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity. This annual conference continues to grow and educate ISU students and faculty on diversity issues.

Rodriguez also worked to improve the support for more than 50 multicultural groups on campus.

He was frequently seen attending events such as the Brazialian Carnaval or the Vietnamese Student Association New Year’s Celebration.

He took time out of his personal life to attend these events and support minority issues in Ames.

All of these things made a difference in the lives of minority students at Iowa State. Rodriguez’s work made a difference at Iowa State.

He will be missed.

editorialboard: Michelle Kann, Tim Paluch, Jocelyn Marcus, Zach Calef, Ruth Spangler, Cavan Reagan