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This scholarship is established in memory of Isenberg’s truly wonderful Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs Melvin Rodriguez. Melvin was a huge and important part of the Isenberg community, always going out of his way to help students in any way he could. Along with serving as assistant dean, he directed the Partners in Education RAP, Isenberg Fellows, and the Business Exploratory Track. Melvin was loved by all of the students, faculty members, and staffers who knew him and his legacy will remain with us, despite his untimely passing in December of 2022.
Melvin's tremendous impact inspired this scholarship which will help students for many generations to come.
The purpose of the Fund is to provide support to undergraduate Isenberg School of Management students. Preference will be given to first-generation college students and students who participate in Isenberg Partners in Education, the Association of Latino Professionals for America, and/or the Advancement of Diversity in Business, which are open to all students.
Double your impact! Jason Janoff ’93 and his wife Stefanie have generously offered to match the first $40,000 in donations between April 2 and April 23!
Isenberg students and alumni remembered Melvin and explained the impacts he made on their lives and educations:
"Over the past four years, I have been privileged to work within the Isenberg Undergraduate Programs Office as a Student Ambassador. During this time, my relationships with students, ambassadors, peers, and advisors have strengthened and have allowed me to form tight bonds with various advisors and deans. Dean Melvin Rodriguez was one of these people and is someone who I, along with many others, will never forget. His sheer enthusiasm and energy could be felt throughout the undergraduate programs office and his good-natured and bright demeanor were characteristics that were unmatched. From many personal experiences, I can attest that Dean Rodriguez had an unwavering propensity for providing guidance and mentorship when a student’s situation called for it. Before I assumed my student ambassadorship at the Isenberg School of Management, Dean Rodriguez was able to assuage all sensations of anxiety or fear of mine with his consistent sympathetic and congenial disposition. Dean Rodriguez was quick to respond to emails, genuine in his conversations, and always interested to hear about your day, week, or semester. His door was truly always open for whoever needed him. I am honored to have had Dean Rodriguez as Isenberg’s Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs and would not be in the place I am in today without him."
“I had the honor of being one of Melvin's many students in the Diversity program at the Isenberg School. The amount of work, care, and attention he gave all of us was unprecedented. If it weren't for Melvin, I would not be the man I am today. I and many students will miss him deeply.”
“Melvin was an incredible mentor to me at UMass during my time in the Fellows residential program and throughout my four years at Isenberg. Melvin made such a positive impact on me and everyone he came across with his warmth, and how he genuinely cared about all his students. I'm so grateful for the time I was able to learn from him.”
“Isenberg truly won’t be the same without Dean Rodriguez. Hearing about his passing was very difficult—as a student and TA I was able to work with him professionally but also spent time with him at social events like the Isenberg Inclusive Leadership Summit. It is not often that we students are able to interact with higher-ups, let alone deans, but Dean Rodriguez always made an effort to know our names and listen to our Isenberg community. I haven’t met anyone quite as passionate as he was about the well-being of students, and he is one of many who inspired me to pursue higher education so I can support students in a similar way. The halls of Isenberg will feel empty without him... Melvin is a wonderful man and his legacy at Isenberg will live on for countless years through all of the students like myself that he helped and inspired.”
“Assistant Dean Rodriguez has had a tremendous impact on my time so far at UMass. He directed the Isenberg Fellows, a residential academic program in which I participated freshman year. Throughout this program, he held countless sessions helping us choose classes, learn about Isenberg, and acclimate to college life. He took the time to meet with me individually in order to plan my class schedule and helped me feel so comfortable at a stressful time. It was obvious that he truly cared about each of his students. At the beginning of my sophomore year, Assistant Dean Rodriguez reached out to me personally inviting me to apply for a position as a student peer advisor. I was eager to interview, and so grateful that he remembered me and was willing to give me this opportunity. I have been working as a peer advisor ever since, and this has been such an influential part of my college experience. Not only am I able to give back and help underclassmen with their journey through Isenberg, but I am able to work alongside such kind and esteemed individuals as Assistant Dean Rodriguez. I would never have had this opportunity without him, and I am so grateful for his guidance. I will truly miss seeing Assistant Dean Rodriguez marching down the hallway of the advising suite, always wearing a smile and taking the time to say hello to students and colleagues alike.”
“Melvin, I speak for the class of 2013 when I say that you made such a big impact on our lives. Back in 2009, I was just a lost senior in high school not knowing what I was going to do, overwhelmed by the process of applying to colleges. UConn, my number one school, had never gotten back to me and I was heartbroken. Until you came along. I still remember our first phone conversation. I was nervous to talk to you. I didn't know what to expect, but you put me at ease. It didn't take much convincing after our first conversation that UMass was the place for me.
Indeed it was. You always got me out of my comfort zone. First, I attended a big school. Eventually, you asked me to lead the Isenberg summer recruitment program with Abi Rich (great memories with you) and then pushed me to apply for jobs like Goldman Sachs. You believed in me more than I believed in myself at times.
I'll never forget our one-on-one time. Your guidance meant the world to me. And quite frankly, you changed my life for the better.”
"Melvin was a guiding force for so many of us, and his contributions to our community of diversity in the business school and sector will always be remembered. Melvin was not just a mentor, but a leader in every sense of the word. His wisdom, guidance, and unwavering support inspired me to be the best version of myself. His passing is a profound loss to our community, but his legacy will continue to guide and inspire us all for years to come. He has helped shape not only my college experience but the kindness he showed is something I aspire to show others for many years to come."
Prefer to mail your donation?
Please send your donation to the address below, and note "Melvin Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship" in the memo line of the check: