Employee of the Month - May 2026
Gabe Rodriguez, Program Coordinator/Advisor
Liberal Studies
Awarded Wednesday, May 13 at Friendship Walk. Gabe was joined by President Loren Blanchard, College of Education Dean Anna Ortiz, Liberal Studies department chair Nat Hansuvadha, numerous campus colleagues, his wife Josie and son Gabrielito.
Gabe is recognized as CSULB’s May Employee of the Month for his dedication to student success and his innovative efforts to reduce barriers for transfer students. An Academic Advisor in the College of Education, Gabe brings more than 21 years of service to the university, including 11 years supporting future educators. According to the detailed nomination from Nancy De Haro, Lead Advisor/Coordinator in Liberal Studies, Gabe is known for “finding new ways of supporting students and reducing barriers towards graduation,” with a particular focus on improving the experience for incoming transfer students.
Liberal Studies is the only major at CSULB that does not follow the General Education (GE) Pattern, creating confusion for many transfer students, as some courses meet GE requirements, but not all courses fit into the Liberal Studies major.
Understanding this unique challenge, Gabe took the initiative to redesign the summer registration process. Previously, students were required to navigate complex, often unclear systems on their own, including “unspoken policies that were particularly difficult for our first-generation transfer students to navigate.”
Gabe transformed this experience by proactively coordinating course equivalencies with faculty partners in Mathematics, creating “a more streamlined registration process for transfer students” and easing their transition during their first semester.
He also worked with the Science Education department to implement a simplified process for class registration for science capstones.
These enhancements shifted the responsibility away from students, rather than requiring them to navigate multiple offices for course equivalency processes or to request substitutions.
His work has not only reduced obstacles for students but also strengthened collaboration across campus, resulting in “stronger working relationships with our partners” in key departments.
A strong advocate for student-centered advising, Gabriel values teamwork and connection, noting that he enjoys working alongside his colleagues because “we make a strong and collaborative team.”
Gabe describes the College of Education as his “second home,” where he has built “meaningful connections with students, staff, and faculty.” Outside of work, he enjoys “staying active at the Student Recreation & Wellness Center on campus—especially important as I keep up with my soon-to-be two-year-old! Most of all, I cherish spending time with my family.”