Purpose, camaraderie and honor

Veterans Day is not just about recognition for San Diego State University double alumnus and United States Coast Guard veteran Jeremy Rodrigues (‘10, ‘12). It’s about upholding the values of service, commitment, and resilience that define what it means to wear the uniform and honoring the sacrifices and dedication of those who have served, both past and present.

Serving in the U.S. Coast Guard for 20 years, Rodrigues’ military service was both rewarding and challenging, filled with camaraderie, mission focus, and shared sacrifice. After retiring from service in 2021, Rodrigues continued his career in security, where he was most recently recognized in Security Magazine’s 2024 list of the Most Influential People in Security.

Turning Point

While in high school, Rodrigues was introduced to the Coast Guard through the Naval Sea Cadet Corps, which allowed him to train at Coast Guard bases and serve onboard Coast Guard cutters during his school breaks. Inspired by family members with military and law enforcement careers, Rodrigues felt joining the Coast Guard would continue his family’s legacy. 

“I felt a strong sense of purpose, camaraderie, and honor by joining the military,” said Rodrigues.

Rodrigues enlisted shortly before Sept. 11, 2001, and was called into duty days after the tragic terrorist attacks on 9/11. A few months after the attacks, Rodrigues transitioned to a specialized unit that deployed onboard United States and allied warships to conduct drug interdiction operations in Latin America.

After his active duty service, Rodrigues continued his career in the Coast Guard Reserve, balancing civilian roles in federal law enforcement and private sector security while taking on new responsibilities as a commissioned officer.

Rodrigues later transitioned his career into working as a Border Patrol Agent for the United States Customs and Border Protection. It was then that he decided to pursue higher education, as he felt a degree would help open up more opportunities for his military and civilian careers.

“It wasn’t just a step in my academic and professional journey; it was a turning point,” said Rodrigues.

During his time at SDSU, Rodrigues’ classes helped equip him with the necessary skills in political science, global security issues, and conflict resolution that he could immediately apply to his career in the military.

Undergraduate instructors like Jonathan Graubart, Ric Epps, Ron Bee, and Dr. Allen Greb, and co-directors of the Homeland Security graduate program Eric Frost and Jeff McIllwain, were instrumental in shaping Rodrigues' academic experience and inspiring him to build a career in security.

“SDSU provided me with the foundation and support I needed to transition from military service to a civilian career, giving me the skills and confidence to pursue new opportunities,” said Rodrigues.

Paying it Forward

After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in International Security and Conflict Resolution in 2010 and a Master of Science in Homeland Security in 2012, Rodrigues launched his career in security, working in both the government and private sector.

Inspired by the SDSU professors who influenced his life, Rodrigues has paid it forward and currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at Arizona State University. Rodrigues teaches homeland security and intelligence, hoping to bring particle insights to the classroom to help students understand the field more clearly.

“I’m particularly passionate about mentoring students who are just beginning their careers,” said Rodrigues. “Seeing their growth and enthusiasm for the field motivates me to continue sharing my experiences and helping them build a strong foundation for their future careers.”

But it’s not only students who Rodgriues is helping. He also gives back to the community by participating as a hiring manager for FourBlock’s Veteran Career Readiness Program.

FourBlock is a nonprofit organization that provides mentorship and training to help transitioning veterans succeed in their careers. Rodrigues finds it incredibly rewarding to help veterans gain the tools and confidence to navigate the complex job market and to see their professional growth.

Rodrigues’ accomplishments were most recently recognized as he was named in Security Magazine’s 2024 list of Most Influential People in Security. Rodrigues is the Senior Director of Enterprise Security for Excelerate Energy, a global leader in liquefied natural gas solutions. In his role, he oversees the development and execution of security strategies and focuses on building comprehensive security programs that are effective and adaptable to dynamic global environments.

“This is a recognition that goes beyond personal achievement and highlights the collective efforts of my team and the partnerships we’ve built within the industry,” said Rodrigues. “For me, it’s a testament to the importance of going beyond compliance to build security programs that are adaptable, resilient, and focused on real-world impacts.”

Aztec for Life

Although Rodrigues no longer lives in San Diego, he still finds ways to stay involved and give back to the Aztec community.

Whether being a mentor through the Aztec Mentoring Program or a volunteer faculty member for SDSU’s Homeland Security Graduate Program, Rodrigues enjoys supporting students who are just beginning their careers.

For military-affiliated, enlisted, and veteran students, Rodrigues advises embracing the skills gained during service and learning how to translate them into a civilian career. He says don’t be afraid to ask for help and remember that there is a strong community out there that wants you to succeed.

Reflecting on his time at SDSU, Rodrigues is grateful for the community he had that helped push him to success in his career. Being an Aztec has had an everlasting impact on his family, inspiring a commitment to lifelong learning and showing his children the value of perseverance and education.