Evelyn Rodriguez

Evelyn I. Rodriguez is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of San Francisco, with additional appointments in Critical Diversity Studies, Asian American Studies, and the Maria Elena Yuchengco Philippine Studies Program. A second-generation Pinay, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude from UC San Diego with a BA in Sociology and an Ethnic Studies minor, and earned her MA and PhD in Sociology from UC Berkeley.

Her research focuses on race, ethnicity, immigration, gender, culture, and identity in the United States, the Philippines, and Latin America. She examines how young adults of color experience race and engage in civic/political activities, while exploring the significance of coming-of-age rituals like Filipino debutantes and Mexican quinceañeras as cultural lenses into immigrant families and identity formation.

Her publications span interdisciplinary social science methods, including a 2013 book on ethnic coming-of-age practices, 2021 articles on Ignatian mission-driven education and cultural representation at the Tokyo Olympics, and a 2016 analysis of quinceañera traditions. These works reflect her expertise in cultural sociology, ethnic studies, and intergenerational dynamics.

Scientific Awards & Distinctions:

• University of San Francisco Office of the Provost Sarlo Prize of Excellence in Teaching, 2022
• New York University Faculty Resource Network, Semester Scholar-in-Residence, 2022
• Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellow, National Academies of Sciences, 1999-2002

Her work bridges academic and public engagement, emphasizing social justice, community organizing, and the role of cultural rituals in shaping identity and civic participation.