From the barrio to the boardroom to building brighter futures

Roland Rodriguez and the Six Semester Scholarship Program

by Brooke Barnett

When asked about his career, Roland Rodriguez ’74 described it as a story in three chapters: from the barrio, to the boardroom, to travels around the world. Today, he is focused on creating a legacy at Lamar University by providing the same opportunities for current and future Cardinals.

Through his Six Semester Scholarship Program, Rodriguez offers more than financial support. He builds connections and opens doors, guiding students from the classroom into careers. His vision is to equip students to succeed at Lamar and thrive long after graduation.

Rodriguez’s own journey began in Bay City, Texas. When he arrived at the University, he found a campus filled with students from small towns across Southeast Texas, many from blue-collar families connected to the region’s refineries.

“It was a place where I felt like I fit,” he recalled. “The professors were very approachable, and I built friendships there that have endured.”

He still recalls the impact of faculty members like accounting professor Harold Barlow, whose teaching and mentorship helped shape his educational journey. His experiences at LU laid the foundation for a career that would span more than four decades. That foundation quickly translated into opportunity.

“Without the education that I gained at Lamar, I wouldn’t have accomplished all the things I did in my professional and personal life. It was my cornerstone,” he added.

After earning his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, Rodriguez was recruited by KPMG, where he spent 10 years building his expertise in accounting and consulting. In 1988, he co-founded MFR and served as the firm’s managing principal. Throughout his career, he advised clients across real estate, technology, manufacturing, financial services and construction sectors.

Under his leadership, MFR grew into one of the nation’s largest Hispanic-owned CPA firms. He also played a key role in expanding the firm’s consulting practice internationally, particularly in the energy and public sector. MFR reflected his values, employing a diverse and multilingual workforce and emphasizing opportunity and inclusion.

His professional success also allowed him and his wife, Linda, to travel extensively, exploring more than 70 countries and living in Costa Rica for over 15 years. A dedicated supporter of Lamar, Rodriguez is also a President’s Circle member and was named a 2025 Distinguished Alumnus.

“We often look at our lives and think about how blessed we’ve been,” he said. “Then the question becomes—how do we continue to pay it forward in a meaningful manner that has a life-changing impact on individuals? Being good stewards of those blessings is a large responsibility and an obligation that we take very seriously.”

For Rodriguez, the answer has always pointed back to education.

“Education has the greatest multiplier effect,” he said. “When you help one student, you then help one family, and ultimately, you help society.”

Although he had supported the institution for years through scholarships, including the Roland Rodriguez Endowment for the College of Business and programs such as the ExxonMobil Executive in Residence Speaker Series, a pivotal moment came during a Hispanic Heritage Month event on campus in October 2019. Standing in a room filled with more than 300 students, alumni and community members, Rodriguez reflected on how much the University had changed since his time at Lamar—when it was possible to go an entire day without seeing another Hispanic student.

“It was very significant to me that the demographics have changed,” he said. “It made me realize I needed to do more to make an impact and I wanted to create something that would make a difference now, not years down the road.”

That realization led him to rethink how scholarship support could work. Rather than simply providing financial assistance, he believed scholarships should actively prepare students for careers. The result was the Six Semester Scholarship Program.

The program provides $2,000 per semester for up to six semesters, beginning in a student’s sophomore year, a critical time when many students face increasing financial and academic pressures. Its purpose is straightforward: remove barriers and create access to opportunity.

Today, the program supports 17 students, many of whom are first-generation college students from immigrant families. Plans are in place to expand support to 20 students. The program is already demonstrating strong results, with participants maintaining an average GPA of 3.6. But for Rodriguez, the numbers only tell part of the story.

“What I quickly realized is that financial support alone isn’t enough,” he explained. “Students also need mentorship, confidence and access.”

To meet that need, Rodriguez took a hands-on approach. With students’ permission, he reviews resumes, provides guidance and connects them directly with professionals in his network. By sharing resumes with executives across multiple industries, he has helped students secure internships and job opportunities that might otherwise have been out of reach. He focuses on teaching soft skills and giving students the confidence they need to take the first step of their careers.

“I pick up the phone,” he said. “I make the calls. I connect them with people who can help them take that next step.”

In recent months, Rodriguez has developed strategic partnerships with Kilgore Industries, 360 Insurance Group and Locke Solutions. These companies offer employment opportunities while also connecting students to broader industry networks, creating a growing pipeline of talent.

Equally important is the culture of support within the program itself. Rodriguez emphasizes the importance of working together as a team, encouraging students in the program to help one another and build relationships that will extend beyond their time at Lamar. He hopes the program will create a ripple effect that will continue years into the future.

“They are not just receiving help, they are learning to give it,” he added. “In a few years, they’ll be the ones helping the next group of students.”

For students like Maria J. Cisneros, a business administration major with a concentration in business analytics, the impact is immediate and personal.

“Receiving the Roland Rodriguez Six Semester Scholarship has truly transformed my college experience,” explained Cisneros. “Coming from an immigrant family, pursuing higher education can feel overwhelming. This scholarship helped make my dream of becoming the first in my family to attend college a reality. It has given me confidence, a sense of belonging, and a network of people who believe in me.”

Rodriguez has dedicated part of his estate to fund the program for the foreseeable future. He feels that the true value lies in the relationships formed, the confidence built, and the opportunities created. Cisneros is already experiencing these benefits.

“Being part of this community has shown me the importance of lifting others up and staying connected to those who share similar journeys and aspirations,” Cisneros added. “I believe this network will play a significant role in my professional and personal growth throughout my career.”

Standing in front of students, Rodriguez often shares a simple message: “I was once sitting in the same classroom you’re in now,” he tells them. “And I’m living proof where the path can lead.”

From the barrio, to the boardroom, to around the world, Roland Rodriguez isn’t just giving back. He’s building pathways forward, ensuring that the next generation of students has the support, connections and confidence to achieve their own success. ¡Todos Vamos Adelante!, translation: Let’s all move forward!
 
Rodriguez wants to thank Lamar staff, students, family and friends for making this program a reality. If you would like to participate and make a difference, please donate to the Lamar University Foundation, Attn: Six Semester Scholarship Program. Rodriguez is also asking prospective employers interested in working with the program to contact him at rrodriguez@mfrgroupinc.com.