Susana Villegas Rodriguez

**Professional Bio – Susana Villegas-Rodriguez, ASW, MSW**
Susana Villegas-Rodriguez is a bilingual School Climate & Culture Specialist and Unconditional Education Coach at Seneca Family of Agencies, where she supports schools in building inclusive, trauma-informed environments for students and families. A first-generation college graduate, she holds a Master of Social Work with a Transcultural Perspective from San José State University and a bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a minor in Criminal Justice from San Francisco State University.
Susana brings deep expertise in mental health, restorative practices, and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), and is passionate about working at the intersection of education, advocacy, and social justice. Her career has spanned roles in mental health counseling, case management, and college advising, where she has consistently focused on equity-driven approaches that uplift historically marginalized communities.
As a lifelong learner and advocate, Susana is committed to empowering youth and transforming systems through compassionate leadership, data-informed strategies, and authentic community partnerships. She is fully bilingual in Spanish and continues to advance her professional development through certifications in grant writing, PBIS, and educational leadership.
• Grant Writing
• Acer 2.0: Certified External Reviewer
• San José State University
• San Francisco State University
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ability to collaborate closely with educators, school leadership, and families. Building strong, trusting relationships has been key to creating supportive and inclusive school environments where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life include continuous professional development and supporting staff growth on campus. I also prioritize self-healing and balance to prevent burnout, especially in the field of education. Outside of work, I find joy in creative outlets like arts and crafts, cake decorating, listening to audiobooks, and taking peaceful walks by the water with my sisters.