Dr. Lenore P.
Rodicio

Lenore Polo Rodicio, Ph.D., Achieving the Dream’s president and CEO, has over two decades of experience driving institutional transformation, academic innovation, and student success.  

She most recently served as an evaluation partner for transformation initiatives funded by the Gates Foundation, a senior fellow at the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, a senior fellow for postsecondary systems change and governance at Our Cause, and a leadership and strategy coach with Achieving the Dream. She has played critical roles in network development, providing expertise in governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity building for college presidents and senior teams across the nation. 

A native of Miami Florida and the daughter of Cuban immigrants, she brings a deep commitment to expanding opportunity and economic mobility for underserved students. Rodicio rose to prominence in higher education serving in key leadership positions at Miami Dade College (MDC). She served as executive vice president and provost, provost of academic and student affairs, and vice provost for student achievement. Under her leadership, MDC became a national leader in student success and workforce development. 

Rodicio led MDC’s nationally recognized efforts in advising reform, developmental course redesign, guided pathways, and student support systems. She created support structures that connected students not only with academic resources but also with essential life services, ensuring a holistic approach to student engagement and achievement. Her efforts contributed to MDC’s receipt of numerous awards, including the prestigious Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence in 2019. 

Rodicio has served in an advisory capacity to Gates Foundation, Lumina Foundation, and the American Council on Education on matters related to postsecondary student success and credential attainment. She also serves as a Complete College America fellow. 

Rodicio’s leadership  has been recognized by numerous national organizations. She received the 2021 Association for General and Liberal Studies Award for National Leadership in Education, the 2020 Hispanic Leadership Award in Education from the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and recognition as a Miami Herald Influencer. 

Rodicio holds a Doctor of Philosophy in chemistry from Louisiana State University and a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Barry University. She is a member of the American Chemical Society; a past president of the Association for General and Liberal Studies; and a past chair of the Board of Directors for the Association of American Colleges & Universities. Within her community, she is a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Thomas University, a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Brendan High School, a former member of the Advisory Board of the Miami Herbert Business School of the University of Miami, a former member of the Board of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, and the former president of the Board of Directors of the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade. 

Beyond her professional endeavors, Rodicio is deeply committed to her family. She has been married for over 25 years and is the proud mother of five children. In her personal time, she enjoys baking, a creative outlet that reflects her passion for precision and craftsmanship.