Dr. Stan Rodriguez, member of the Santa Ysabel Band of the Iipay Nation, is a mentor to students of all ages and advocate for cultural preservation.  Serving in a number of advising and teaching roles in universities and organizations across southern California, he is dedicated to educating about Kumeyaay history, culture, and language revitalization. Dr. Rodriguez was appointed to the California Native American Heritage Commission in 2021 and has developed an accelerated Kumeyaay language immersion program serving Kumeyaay Community College/Cuyamaca College since 2005. Dr. Rodriguez served in the U.S. Navy from 1985 to 1991, earned a Master of Arts degree in Human Behavior, and Doctorate in Education from the University of California, San Diego.