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Name: Nayantara Rodrigues
Title: Adjunct Instructor
Department: Counselor Education and Rehabilitation
Academic Degree(s):

• B.S. in Criminology, Fresno State
• M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Fresno State

How long have you worked at Fresno State and which offices have you worked in?
I have worked on campus since 2010. All 13 years I have served in the Counselor Education and Rehabilitation program.

Are you a Valley native? If not, what brought you to the area? And Fresno State.
No, I was born in Chennai, India. My parents moved to Fresno in 1987, so that my brother, sister and I would be able to have a better professional future. My father was a colonel in the Indian army, so he and my mother sacrificed a lot to come here for us.

Are you a Bulldog family with generations of Bulldog graduates or current students?
No, my brother, sister and I are first Bulldog graduates.

Do you have a campus mentor or someone who has helped you in your career?
I have had many amazing souls who have helped me on my journey: Dr. Arthur Wint, Jackie Church, Dr. Kyle Weir, Dr. Gitima Sharma, Dr. Alicia Becton and Dr. Albert Valencia.

Tell us about your department and what people may not know about it.
Our department has gone through many ups and downs, as any department I am sure. I love how each time we find our resilience and courage to keep going, along with improving what we have the control to improve, both individually and communally.

What is your most notable accomplishment in your field, and why was it important?
I developed a yoga and mindfulness course. It is the first of its kind in our department and maybe even on campus. It is near and dear to my heart, because I fully believe in the healing power of Yoga, so the more people who learn and experience it the more we can spread the healing power of it to our community and world.

What are you most passionate about in your field and why?
I am passionate about creating a sacred space to heal. It has been my life's purpose to heal. I was extremely depressed and anxious at one point in my life. It is important to share with others ways in which we can heal ourselves.

What is a memorable moment you had at your job?
My first day of teaching. I was terrified but so excited at the same time.

What is a memorable moment you had in class?
I have way too many every semester.

What is your teaching style?
Empathetic, compassionate, safe and experiential.

What is your favorite quote or saying?
The obstacle is your path.

What is the most interesting or unusual job you've ever had?
Being a bartender all throughout my college years. It was the most carefree job in the world, and all I needed to do to help people was to show them a good time in order to make them feel seen and enjoy their experience.

What do you like to do for fun in your spare time?
I love yoga and hiking.

What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know?
I am a recovering perfectionist.