Mercedes Rodriguez joined OSRA in September 2006 to work directly with Dr. George Walker. Ms. Rodriguez oversees the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Vice President; coordinates project activities; monitors applicable follow-up and provides status reports to the Vice President; assists with matters of a confidential and sensitive nature; develops long range calendar/scheduling plans for the Vice President; schedules and prepares agendas for all RUGS leadership group meetings, as well as serves as a liaison for the Vice President within the University community. She is also responsible for the administrative matters FIU Research Foundation, Inc. as well as various search and screen committees for senior management positions within the University, as assigned.  Ms. Rodriguez is active with the undergraduate students at FIU, serving as a Club Advisor and an SLS 1501 instructor.  Mercedes joined FIU in March 2001, and worked under Dr. Mark B. Rosenberg, former Provost and Executive Vice President, who is now Chancellor of the Florida State University System. She attended Loyola University in New Orleans, where she graduated with B.A. in Psychology, and recently graduated from FIU with an MA in Comparative Sociology.