Tabatha Cuadra Rodriguez: Community Advocate

A career transition from law to higher education administration landed Tabatha Cuadra Rodriguez in a place where she feels she truly belongs. As the WIE Program’s assistant director for retention since 2022, she ensures Maryland Engineering students from all backgrounds find the community where they not only belong, but thrive.

Cuadra Rodriguez with two colleagues in front of a decorated tree

Cuadra Rodriguez (left) and two of her colleagues celebrated the 30th anniversary of WIE at the Observation Gallery of the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

From Legal Counselor to Student Advisor

While in private legal practice, Cuadra Rodriguez started doing pro bono work with undocumented high school students on the weekends, a volunteer experience that eventually led to academic advising at the college level. “I was still offering advice and resources, so it felt like a natural career transition from the law—and to a much friendlier work environment,” she says.

Understanding Students from Her Own Lived Experience

A first-generation immigrant from Nicaragua who was also a first-generation college student, Cuadra Rodriguez feels a special connection with students from similar backgrounds. Having experienced some self-doubt in college and career, she connects with students on multiple levels.

“I tell struggling students that I struggled in college too. But you’re going to bounce back,” she says. “You’re going to find out how you study best and find your way. Be patient with yourself. We end up where we’re meant to end up.”

Forming Connections that Last Beyond Graduation

A group of students and staff fill an open stairway with the people in front holding Maryland Engineering signs

Cuadra Rodriguez (far right) celebrates engineering with her WIE community.

Among the WIE’s dedicated programs for promoting student success in engineering, the WIE Connect Peer Mentoring Program makes Cuadra Rodriguez especially proud. The fall-semester program (WIE’s largest) connects up to 250 first-year engineering majors with a team of 25 WIE peer mentors and four mentor coordinators. Cuadra Rodriguez works closely with the mentor coordinators to orchestrate monthly community-building events and other resources that foster academic and personal support.

Many of her connections with students grow through and beyond graduation—she’s even officiated at the wedding of a former student.

Promoting Justice for All at UMD

In addition to her role with WIE, Cuadra Rodriguez uses her time and talents to foster a more supportive campus environment. Drawing on her law background, she serves as a Title 9 advisor for UMD’s Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct. As part of an intergroup dialogue hub, she facilitates a section of ENES138, “Exploring Engineering Design through Dialogue,” which delves into issues of equity in engineering.

“We talk about how important it is to have a variety of backgrounds at the table to ensure what’s being created is actually serving everyone,” she says. “It’s a great learning experience, even for me.”

Published September 15, 2026