Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi named Adrian Rodriguez as Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics in March 2023. He'd previously served in an interim role since Nov. 2022 where he experienced great success. 
  
As interim, Rodriguez led a championship run in men's and women's basketball as both programs won Southland Conference regular season titles. Rodriguez’ success in taking the helm of Islanders Athletics continued as he went on to lead the Islanders to its most successful year in Islanders Athletics program history in 2022-23. The Islanders’ highlights during Rodriguez’ tenure include: 

• Winning an Islanders Athletics program record eight (8) Southland Conference championships in 2022-23, and an Islanders Athletics program record nine (9) Southland Conference championships in calendar year 2023.  

• The best two-year consecutive championship record in Islanders Athletics program history with fourteen (14) Southland Conference championships in 2022-23 and 2023-24. 

• Claiming the Southland Conference’s women’s all-sports championship trophy in 2022-23 and 2023-24. 

• Earning the Southland Conference’s Academic Performance Award in 2022-23 and 2023-24. In 2023-24, the Islanders recorded a .997 Academic Progress Rate score, the highest in Islanders Athletics program history. Islanders’ student-athletes have earned a 3.0-plus GPA in every semester of Rodriguez’ tenure as AD. 

• Earning the first SLC Tournament Championship and trip to March Madness in women’s basketball in Islanders Athletics program history (2024). 

• Earning the first SLC Championship in men’s cross country in Islanders Athletics program history (2023). 

• Claiming the first NCAA Tournament win at the NCAA tournament in men’s basketball (2023). 

• Claiming the first NCAA Tournament win at the NCAA tournament in beach volleyball (2023). 

• At the NCAA Championships, the Islanders faced #1 Alabama (2023, men’s basketball), #1 USC (2024, women’s basketball), #1 UCLA (2023, beach volleyball), #1 Texas (2023, men’s tennis), and #1 Texas A&M (2024, women’s tennis) for elimination. 

• In 2023-2024, new hire and first-year coach Bryan Jackson led men’s cross country to its first ever SLC Championship and earned Coach of the Year honors. Also in 2023-24, new hire and first year coach Jim Shaw set a program record for regular season wins (21) by a first-year head coach becoming a finalist for the Joe B. Hall Award given to the most outstanding Rookie Head Coach of the Year finishing 2nd in the country behind only Alan Huss of Highpoint University and just ahead of Adrian Autry from Syracuse University. 

• In 2022-23 and 2023-24, six (6) Islanders’ head coaches earned Coach of the Year honors: Steve Moore (2023, 2024), Gayle Stammer (2023, 2024), Steve Lutz (2023), and Bryan Jackson (2024).  

• Bringing the South Texas Showdown trophy back home to the Island by beating UTRGV in the showdown in 2023-2024. 

• Introducing a new Spirit & Traditions department in SEAS’ Student Life dedicated to creating vibrancy in the student experience and building a student fan base, new programs include: Izzy’s Hangout, Izzy’s Tailgates, Riptide Rallies, Island Madness, and Islander Takeover at Music Walk. 

• Introducing a new student-athlete developmental model and approach for holistic growth, development and leadership. 

Rodriguez's role at the university includes serving as the Vice President for Student Engagement and Success (SEAS) and Intercollegiate Athletics. He joined the Island University in Aug. 2021 after working as Associate Vice President for Student Life at Kansas State University for nearly four years and previously as Vice President for Student Development Services at Tarrant County College Trinity River Campus in downtown Fort Worth for nearly 10 years. He served in that role before being called back to the State of Kansas, where he had previously served as Dean of Student Life at Butler Community College in El Dorado, KS from 2004-2008. 
 
Rodriguez brings six years of NCAA and NJCAA coaching experience and two decades of higher education leadership to the position.  He got his start in Intercollegiate Athletics at NCAA Division II Texas A&M University – Kingsville where he served as assistant softball coach from 1997-1999. Rodriguez became Head Softball Coach at NJCAA Division I Lon Morris College in June 1999 and served in that role until 2003. While at Lon Morris College, Rodriguez held many leadership roles including Dean of Men before assuming the Dean of Students role exclusively in 2003. 
  
Rodriguez currently serves on the Visit Corpus Christi Board of Advisors and the Buc Days Engagement Committee. Rodriguez additionally serves on the Board of Advisors for the National Center for Higher Education Risk Management's (NCHERM) National Association for Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment (NABITA). He serves on the faculty for the Center for Leadership Development, Inc. as a lead presenter at the annual National Leadership Conference on Student Government and recently served on the global advisory board for the Future Talent Council – an international strategy group of governmental, educational, and industry leaders focused on understanding and influencing the future of talent and work. Rodriguez has also served on numerous national, regional, local boards and associations centered on access to higher education, student success, student engagement, and successful student job placement and career attainment. 
  
As an administrator, Rodriguez has received many honors and recognitions, including the 2006 National Outstanding First Year Student Advocate Award presented by the National Resource Center for the First Year Experience and Students in Transition, University of South Carolina. Rodriguez received Phi Theta Kappa's prestigious 2014 National Distinguished College Administrator Award and was inducted into the Hall of Honor for Distinguished College Administrators for the Texas Region of Phi Theta Kappa, and in 2015, Rodriguez was a recipient of the Fort Worth Business Press 40 Under 40 Award. In 2019, Rodriguez was recognized with two significant honors at Kansas State University, the Dr. Pat J. Bosco Outstanding Partner Award presented by the K-State Student Governing Association for his dedication to serving students, and was also selected as an Honorary Co-Chair of the K-State Proud campaign, K-State's premier student philanthropy led by Kansas State University Student Foundation, selected for his philanthropic success to make K-State a better place for students. 
  
Rodriguez has had the great opportunity of moving through his professional career and education with his arms wide open. In his 25+ years in higher education, Rodriguez has served as Vice President, Director of Athletics, Associate Vice President, Dean of Students, Registrar, Director of Student Activities, Director of Residence Life, Director of Intramurals, and one of his personal favorites -- College Fastpitch Softball Coach for 6 years. His educational experience has been equally diverse as he earned his B.S. degree (1997) in Environmental Design from the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University, and his M.Ed. degree (2004) in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University – Kingsville. He is currently working on his Ph.D. degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education, Counseling and Educational Psychology, from Kansas State University. 
  
Rodriguez prides himself first on being a good father and husband to his two beautiful daughters, Alexandria and Ayden, and wife, Christy. He and his wife seldom sit still—their mantra is work hard, play hard! Either they are busy with the kids' activities— soccer, volleyball, basketball, flag football, and track & field – or they are attending Islanders festivities and athletic events.