Her Story
About Fabiola
Fabiola Rodriguez is a Community Engagement Coordinator at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and a consultant for the Center for Native American Health at the University of New Mexico (UNM), specializing in community health, community engagement, and workforce development. She began her career in 2018 after becoming certified as a Community Health Worker in Mexico and later earned both her Community Health Worker (CHW) and Community Health Worker Instructor (CHWI) certifications in Texas. Her early work included serving as a breastfeeding counselor before advancing into leadership and coordination roles supporting Community Health Workers.
Over the past six years, Fabiola has led community engagement initiatives, health education programs, and workforce development efforts while also providing consulting services to organizations serving diverse populations. She holds a GED and has completed college coursework, along with specialized training in EMPOWER Behavioral Activation, Motivational Interviewing, and Mental Health First Aid.
In addition to her public health credentials, Fabiola is a Reiki Master, Emotional Integration Therapist, and a guide in meditation and breathing techniques. She incorporates evidence-informed approaches, mindfulness practices, and holistic wellness strategies to support individuals in improving their emotional well-being, resilience, and quality of life.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, Fabiola is committed to improving access to health information and services for diverse communities. Her professional interests include mental health promotion, behavior change strategies, chronic disease prevention and management, and strengthening the Community Health Worker workforce.
Fabiola attributes her success to believing in herself, recognizing the value of her work, and being willing to embrace new opportunities and challenges. Her advice to others in the helping professions is simple: prioritize self-care first, because caring for yourself is essential to effectively support others.
Outside of her professional work, Fabiola enjoys arts and crafts, which provide a creative outlet and support her commitment to personal well-being and self-care. She also enjoys sharing wellness practices that promote balance, mindfulness, and personal growth. In addition, she is dedicated to giving back to the community and supports charitable causes, including making monthly donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Fabiola
01What do you attribute your success to?
Believing in myself and recognizing the value of my work has been key to my journey. Looking back, I feel fortunate because I was preparing for this opportunity my whole life without realizing it. When organizations were searching for someone with my background, I had the skills they needed: experience as a community leader, bilingual communication skills, the ability to use technology effectively, and the confidence to step forward and say, “We can do this.” I was willing to take risks, embrace new challenges, and trust in my ability to make a difference.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Value yourself first. As Community Health Workers, we spend so much time caring for others that it can be easy to forget that we are also part of the community. We are not separate from the people we serve. We face challenges, stress, and life struggles too. Sometimes we become so focused on helping everyone else that we put our own well-being aside.
One of the most important lessons I have learned is that helping yourself is not selfish; it is necessary. When you take care of your physical, emotional, and mental health, you have more energy, compassion, and strength to support others. Give yourself the same kindness and care that you give to your community. After all, you cannot pour from an empty cup.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Community Health Workers are often overlooked as a professional workforce, despite the essential role they play in improving the health and well-being of their communities. Too often, there is an expectation that this work should be done on a volunteer basis, even though it requires significant skills, training, dedication, and lived experience. One of my passions is advocating for greater recognition of Community Health Workers as valued professionals who deserve fair compensation, respect, and a seat at the table. The work we do has a real impact, and it is important that our contributions are acknowledged and supported as part of the healthcare and public health workforce.
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