About me
Dr. Stanley Rodriguez is an esteemed educator, cultural leader, and advocate for Indigenous language revitalization. A member of the Santa Ysabel Band of the Iipay Nation of the Kumeyaay, he has dedicated his life to preserving and promoting Kumeyaay culture, history, and language. Since 2018, he has served as President of Kumeyaay Community College, where he has also taught Kumeyaay language since 2005. In 2021, his deep cultural expertise led to his appointment by Governor Gavin Newsom to the California Native American Heritage Commission.
A U.S. Navy veteran, Dr. Rodriguez holds a master’s degree in Human Behavior and earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from UC San Diego. He is widely recognized for developing an accelerated Kumeyaay language immersion program and for his role in teaching traditional practices such as bird singing, e’waa building, and tool making. His community affectionately knows him as “Stan the Man,” a testament to his generosity, humor, and devotion to future generations.
Dr. Rodriguez also serves on the board of Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival and is active in cultural events across the region. Named a 2015 American Indian Heritage Month Local Hero by Union Bank and KPBS, he continues to champion Indigenous knowledge and cultural resilience with unwavering commitment.
