Page 6 - 2021 CEHD Undergraduate Commencement Program

Featured speakers
Michael C. Rodriguez, interim dean of the College of Education and Human Development Joan T.A. Gabel, president, University of Minnesota
Heather Mueller, commissioner, Minnesota Department of Education
Dora Ogunkanbi, undergraduate student speaker, bachelor of science degree in
Family Social Science
Conferring of Degrees
Honorable Kendall J. Powell, Chair, Board of Regents Candidates for the bachelor of science (BS) degree
Biographical Information
Michael C. Rodriguez
Michael C. Rodriguez, PhD, is the interim dean of the College of Education and Human Development and the Campbell Leadership Chair in Education and Human Development and a professor of educational psychology. He is a fifth- generation Minnesotan and first-generation college graduate, who received his BA from the Morris campus. His research focuses on understanding
the psychometric properties of tests—for example, the use of constructed- response versus multiple-choice items. Rodriguez works with school districts to develop methods for improving their use of large-scale test information to improve practices and policies. In addition, he is dedicated to improving the accessibility of assessments of students with disabilities and multilingual learners. Rodriguez leads the Minnesota Youth Development Research
Group which helps school districts make use of the Minnesota Student Survey, reporting on positive youth development and social and emotional learning. Rodriguez provides advisory support and leadership to several national organizations, including the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, National Assessment of Educational Progress, U.S. Department
of Defense on military personnel testing, Association of American Medical Colleges, and National Council on Measurement in Education.
Joan T.A. Gabel
Joan T.A. Gabel is the 17th president of the University of Minnesota, overseeing the nation’s 6th largest University, including over 68,000 students, 27,000 faculty/ staff, and an overall $4.2 billion budget. She stewarded the University’s new systemwide strategic plan, MPact 2025, emphasizing student success, innovation, equity, and fiscal stewardship. Under her leadership, the University surpassed
$1 billion in annual research expenditures; elevated into the top one percent
of patent-producing universities; achieved a record-setting year in private philanthropy; deepened its work to build a more equitable and just community; and initiated an innovative approach to keep students, faculty, and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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