SIP Professional Staff
In Recruitment | Director
Heidi Rodriguez | Coordinator
Raised in the Inland Empire as a low-income, first-generation college student, Heidi is a dedicated champion of education. With over a decade of experience spanning K-12 and higher education, she actively works to bridge college-readiness gaps and equip students and their families with the academic tools they need to succeed. Heidi holds a B.S. in Anthropology with an Education Minor from UCR, and an M.S. in Higher Education Leadership and Student Development from CBU. Whether empowering students to reach their academic goals or helping them navigate their careers, student advocacy is the heart of her work. Outside of work, Heidi loves hiking with her dogs and spending time with loved ones.
Email: heidi.rodriguez@ucr.edu | Phone: (951) 827-0801 | Ext: 880019
Fatuma Ramudzi | Coordinator
Fatuma is an Inland Empire native who was raised in Fontana, CA as a first-generation, low-income college student in a multicultural family. Her lived experiences have shaped her passion for student advocacy, mentorship, and expanding access to educational opportunities. With a background rooted in both personal experience and a professional commitment to equity, Fatuma has spent the past several years designing outreach programs, mentoring youth, and supporting student-led initiatives that empower first-generation students and families across the K-20 educational pipeline. She earned her B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Diversity & Inequality and a minor in African American Studies from the University of California, Irvine. For Fatuma, working alongside students and families is an opportunity to give back to the communities that shaped her and help make higher education feel more accessible and attainable. Outside of work, Fatuma enjoys planning her Renfaire costumes, pottery and ceramics, creative writing, and spending time with loved ones.
Email: fatumar@ucr.edu | Phone: (951) 827-8132
Cynthia Lemus | Advisor
Cynthia Lemus is a graduate from the University of California, Irvine, where she earned a B.A. in Economics. Ever since taking leadership roles in student success programs during her undergraduate career at UC Irvine, Cynthia has developed a passion for bridging students with the opportunities, resources, and support necessary to be successful in their unique academic journeys. The driving force behind her work stems from her experience navigating the higher education system as a first-generation, low-income student and understanding how transformative support can be on student success and retention. With her experience working in the San Bernardino Community College District and UC system, Cynthia brings great knowledge and heart into the programs and students she supports. In her free time, Cynthia enjoys exploring new boba shops to find the best of the best in Southern CA.
Email: cynthia.lemus@ucr.edu | Phone: (951) 827-2075