Darlene Rodriguez
Higher Ed & EdTech Delivery Leader | Empowering People & Institutions | Advancing Student Success Through Strategy & Operational Excellence
- Role
- Director Project Management at Encoura
- Location
- Phoenix, AZ, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Darlene Rodriguez
I care deeply about helping higher education organizations do their best work for students, and I specialize in bringing people, processes, and priorities into alignment so that good intentions turn into meaningful, lasting impact.With more than 24 years in higher education and technology, my career has been shaped by a deep commitment to student success, operational excellence, and people-centered leadership.I began my journey working directly in student advising, retention, and institutional operations, gaining firsthand insight into the challenges colleges and universities face every day. That foundation continues to inform my work today as I partner with institutions to advance student outcomes through data-informed strategy and strong execution.Over the years, I have led global and cross-functional teams across professional services, enterprise delivery, CRM implementations, and operational transformation. I am known for bringing clarity to complexity, building bridges across teams, and helping organizations navigate change with confidence and purpose.My leadership style is rooted in authenticity, empathy, and accountability. I believe great results come from strong relationships, clear expectations, and a genuine investment in people. Whether guiding large-scale initiatives, shaping delivery models, or developing future leaders, I strive to create environments where individuals and teams can do their best work.I am passionate about empowering people with the tools, confidence, and support they need to thrive, because when our people succeed, our students and institutions do too.StrengthsFinder: Strategic | Relator | Arranger | Developer | Responsibility
Experience
Director Project Management
Feb 2026 — Present
Leading delivery and project management in support of institutional partners and student success initiatives. Focused on building strong teams, strengthening collaboration, and driving thoughtful, scalable execution.
Education
UCLA Anderson School of Management
Multidimensional Leaders' Institute Certificate
2016 — 2016
Laureate Education, Inc.
Certificate in Teaching and Learning, Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
2012 — 2013
Wellesley College
Bachelor of Arts - BA, Psychology
1997 — 2001
Walden University
Master of Business Administration - MBA, Leadership
2009 — 2010
Find verified contacts for anyone on LinkedIn
Unifers gives sales teams verified emails and direct dials, enriched profiles, and outreach that lands in the inbox.
Free plan included · No credit card required
This profile is compiled from publicly available professional sources. Unifers is not affiliated with or endorsed by LinkedIn. Request removal of this profile.