Ellen Rodrigues, who currently serves as the assistant director of the WVU LGBTQ+ Center and a service assistant professor, has been appointed interim director of the Center for one year, effective Aug. 1. She replaces Cris Mayo, who is on a leave of absence.
“We are grateful for Dr. Cris Mayo’s exemplary service to the LGBTQ+ Center over the past four years,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maryanne Reed.
“With her expertise, vision and leadership, Dr. Mayo has helped build a stronger culture of inclusiveness University-wide, advocating for protections of LGBTQ+ individuals and influencing positive change across WVU and beyond,” Reed said. “Her efforts also have earned national recognition for the Center’s outreach and student engagement. We have every confidence that Professor Rodrigues will continue to carry that torch, making sure that all students, faculty and staff feel comfortable and welcomed at WVU.”
For two years as assistant director of the LGBTQ+ Center, Rodrigues was responsible for implementing gender-inclusive practices, including teaching a Women’s and Gender course, focused on LGBTQ+ topics, and providing nearly 35 safe zone trainings to more than 1,000 individuals each academic year. She also served as the faculty advisor for the minor in LGBTQ+ studies and as the supervisor of the Center’s student ambassadors.
“I’m forever thankful for Dr. Mayo’s exemplary leadership,” Rodrigues said. “I feel honored to continue leading the several programs established, as well as embody the progress that West Virginia University has made advancing inclusivity for people of all genders and sexual orientations. I’m also excited because this particular time gives us the opportunity to be innovative in service to our state, as we can reach individuals from various regions through our online training and programs. I’m thrilled to provide opportunities for us to stay connected and engaged and to continue enhancing our sense of community.”
Prior to her role in the LGBTQ+ Center, Rodrigues was a corporate human resources specialist responsible for the recruitment and hiring processes for executive positions at all corporate levels. She also recruited and hired STEM students from various universities, leading professional engagement and development programs. For two years prior, Rodrigues served as a specialist in diversity, affirmative action and equal employment opportunities at WVU’s Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion where she successfully developed strategies and practices to recruit faculty in each discipline.
Reporting to associate provost for Faculty Development and Culture Melissa Latimer, Rodrigues will build on the Center’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Through strategic partnerships, outreach initiatives and student engagement, Rodrigues will drive advocacy efforts while overseeing programs and training that address the inclusion of queer, trans, gender nonbinary and all sexual orientations at WVU.
“Dr. Rodrigues is wonderful with the students and understands how to connect with underrepresented communities,” said Latimer. “She has always received rave reviews from WVU faculty and staff on her trainings and is developing strong ties to other organizations around the state. She appreciates that LGBTQ+ inclusion must address exclusions of race, ethnicity and disability, as well as involve international students. I cannot say enough about how talented and committed she is.”
Rodrigues holds a Ph.D. in political science and is the principal investigator on a project to document Morgantown’s queer history. She is currently writing a piece on inclusive pedagogy and another on Black feminism in Brazil.