Eric M. Rodriguez

Eric M. Rodriguez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Science at the School of Arts & Sciences, City University of New York (CUNY) - New York City College of Technology. His academic work bridges psychology, religion, and identity, with a focus on LGBTQ individuals of faith. He is actively involved in research, teaching, and mentoring undergraduate students.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Social/Personality Psychology, CUNY Graduate Center, 2006
• M.Phil. in Social/Personality Psychology, CUNY Graduate Center, 2003
• M.A. in Psychology, CUNY Graduate Center, 1998
• B.A. in Psychology (Anthropology Minor), Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 1993 (Magna Cum Laude)

His research interests include the psychology of religion, identity conflict and integration, positive psychology, personality psychology, and social psychology, particularly as they relate to LGBTQ people of faith. He explores how individuals reconcile religious beliefs with sexual and gender identities, emphasizing resilience, growth, and social justice.

His recent publications focus on LGBTQ Muslims, transgender religious resilience, identity integration, and stress-related growth. The articles reflect a strong interdisciplinary approach combining qualitative and quantitative methods, with recurring themes in intersectionality, spirituality, mental health, and identity development across diverse religious and cultural contexts.

He has not received any explicitly mentioned scientific awards.

Dr. Rodriguez mentors numerous undergraduate students at City Tech, many of whom have co-authored presentations and publications with him. He is actively involved in grant-like research initiatives such as the LGBTQ Muslim Experience Study and the Identity Integration Measure Project, though specific external funding sources are not listed. His future research plans include expanding survey studies, developing psychometric tools, and exploring links between personality traits and faith-based identity integration.

He leads and participates in research teams including the LGBTQ People of Faith Working Group and collaborates with students and colleagues such as Christopher Etengoff and F. Kurniawan on international projects related to LGBTQ mental health in Muslim communities.