Rolando J. Rodriguez, a Minor League Physical Therapist for the Los Angeles Angels and a Keystone College alumnus of the Class of 2018, will address members of the Keystone College Class of 2025 during the college’s 154th Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 17, at 11 a.m. in Gambal Athletic Center on campus.
A native of Linden, N.J., and the son of Cuban and Colombian immigrants, Rodriguez is a proud first-generation American and first-generation college graduate. He credits his parents for the sacrifices they made to provide opportunities for him and his siblings while also instilling in them a deep commitment to education, discipline, and service to others. These themes will be central to Rodriguez’s remarks to the graduates.
“Typically, Commencement addresses are given by someone who might be in the midpoint or second half of their career. We are excited to have Rolando, as a successful young alum who has already accomplished so much but who is still at the beginning of his career, as this year’s Commencement speaker,” said Keystone College President John F. Pullo, Sr. ’69. “His story is reflective of not only Keystone’s mission and 157-year legacy, but of the value of and opportunities provided by American higher education. It will be inspiring for the entire Keystone College community as we move Keystone forward with the continued commitment to affordability and academic excellence.”
A graduate of Linden High School, Rodriguez finished in the top 20 of his class while lettering in varsity soccer and baseball. He was recruited to play soccer at Keystone, but he also competed on the track and field team. Keystone’s affordability, through financial aid and donor-funded scholarships, was a major factor in his decision to choose Keystone and pursue his dream of playing collegiate soccer while earning a degree.
Rodriguez graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He openly credits his success at Keystone to the welcoming faculty, staff, and close-knit community which made him feel at home. Beyond his athletics commitments, Rodriguez served as Junior and Senior Class Representative and participated in the Honors Program and the Keystone College Fellows Program. He was also part of the CSAC All-Academic Team, the President’s Book Club, and the Inter-Hall Council. In his senior year, he co-captained the Men’s Soccer Team to their first-ever CSAC final.
After graduating from Keystone, Rodriguez earned a Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) at Rutgers University. During that time, he had clinical internships with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Performance Institute in Las Vegas and at the Navajo Nation Four Corners Regional Health Center in New Mexico. He also completed a Sports Residency at the University of Evansville in Indiana and later earned a prestigious Upper Extremity Sports Fellowship with the Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Mets, working across both New York and Florida.
After earning his DPT, Rodriguez went on to serve as the International Minor League Physical Therapist for the Baltimore Orioles, overseeing player rehabilitation in both English and Spanish in Florida and the Dominican Republic. He currently serves as a Minor League Physical Therapist with the Los Angeles Angels in Arizona, supporting both minor and major league players throughout their recovery and return-to-play process. Rodriguez also owns a performance and rehabilitation business based in Arizona, working with both athletes and active individuals.
Rodriguez remains deeply passionate about mentorship and education. He has served on the faculty for the University of Evansville’s Physical Therapy Residency Program and as a mentor and guest speaker at Rutgers University. Rodriguez has presented at professional conferences and contributed to peer-reviewed physical therapy research. Beyond academia, he actively mentors physical therapy professionals across various stages of their careers. His commitment to uplifting others reflects the same support he received along his own journey.
