William Rodriguez is a lecturer at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. He teaches primarily in the areas of youth justice and advocacy, juvenile law, and positive youth development. His pedagogical teaching approach is to integrate much of his lived experience as a practitioner to the theoretical foundations of knowledge that are discussed in the classroom in hopes of inspiring and motivating young people to become the future change agents and advocates of social justice reform. He is a passionate and zealous advocate for human rights, educational equity and inclusion and criminal justice reform.

Mr. Rodriguez has served in many leadership and professional capacities serving multi-cultural communities. He is the former executive director of the Boston Campaign for Proficiency, La Alianza Hispana, and the Community Resources Crime and Justice Institute. He is also the co-designer and content creator of Re-imagining Juvenile Justice, a paradigm-shifting national workforce development initiative training juvenile and child welfare professionals across the country in positive youth development and cross-sector agency partnerships. He possesses a portfolio that extends over 40 years in the criminal justice and education law and policy reform arena. He has served as a member of numerous national, state and local boards for non-profits providing technical assistance in capacity building, strategic planning and leadership development.

Mr. Rodriguez is also currently working on his memoir, From the Ghetto to the White Ivory Towers of Academia: How Intrinsic Resiliency Helped Me Survive and Succeed Alone, and co-authoring a book with his sister Dr. Myrna Rodriguez on racial and ethnic equity and equality in public education.

Pronouns: he/his/him

Recent Awards and Accomplishments

• 2022 Legacy Award: In recognition of his 25-year legacy helping co-create and establish Northeastern University’s Latinx Student Cultural Center
• 2017 Annie E. Casey Foundation Natalie S. Bimel Award: For results-driven and juvenile justice reform to improve the lives of youth
• 2016 Wheelock College Cynthia Longfellow Excellence in Teaching Award