FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University hires director of sponsored programs to secure and manage grant funding

Toppenish, Wash. – Doctora (Dra.) Yesenia Rodriguez has joined Heritage University as the Director of Sponsored Programs, a role that will have a significant impact on the university’s ability to raise grant funds that will support students, faculty, long-term growth of the university.

Dr. Rodriguez is charged with identifying funding opportunities through federal agencies, state programs, foundations and corporations that are potentially supportive of Heritage. She will oversee post award-compliance and collaborate with external and internal partners as well as administrators and faculty who are lead investigators of federal, state or private grants.

Rodriguez’s work will support faculty research and innovation through finding funding, writing proposals, and making sure applications are competitive. Sponsored funding can also expand opportunities for students by creating paid research positions, internships, scholarships, and academic support programs, to name a few.

Heritage University President Chris Gilmer says as both a federally designated Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution and Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), Heritage is eligible for funding opportunities that many others can’t access. “As the Director of Sponsored Programs, Dra. Rodriguez can help maximize the possibilities and bring in extra funding to campus that will strengthen programs that support first-generation and historically underserved students,” said Gilmer.

As an alumnus of Heritage University, Dra. Rodriguez comes with 19 years of professional experience with pre-award grant management, proposal development, budget design, and managing post-award compliance. She worked with departments including finances, HR, institutional research and executive leadership to strengthen grant operations and program delivery. Rodriguez comes to Heritage from the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families where she served as the preschool development grant administrator. Her professional experience includes higher education leadership positions working for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and Yakima Valley College. She has experience working in the K-12 public education system, community programs, and workforce and human services. Rodriguez earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Washington State University, her M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Heritage University, and a Bachelor of Science in Administrative Office Management from Central Washington University.

Rodriguez is excited to return to Heritage University and share her enthusiasm, philosophy and vision for building a strong grants culture. “I am looking forward to working faculty and staff to identify federal, state and community funding opportunities that will support the university’s mission and give faculty and staff the tools they need to serve our students,” she said. “And as a member of the Hispanic community, I am excited to work for an HSI where Hispanics are the majority, as I want to serve as a mentor for current and future Hispanic students and inspire them to achieve their goals and dreams,” she said.

Heritage University’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Beth Durodoye, says Rodriguez’s contributions will be an important step towards enhancing Heritage’s reputation and attract talented faculty. “What excites me most about Dra. Rodriguez joining Heritage is that she understands grants aren’t simply about securing funding—they’re about creating opportunities. Every successful proposal has the potential to empower a student, support faculty research, strengthen a community partnership, or launch an innovative program. Her collaborative approach and passion for higher education make her an outstanding addition to our academic leadership team.”

Dra. Rodriguez joined Heritage University in July 2026. For more information, please contact Davidson Mance, media relations coordinator at (509) 969-6084 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

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