Iona Alumna Juviza Rodriguez ’07 Wins ‘40 Under 40’ Award from Boston Congress of Public Health
For Juviza Rodriguez ’07, Iona was a time of growth and finding a sense of community and connection she will cherish for a lifetime. Her reflection comes at a time of recently being named a recipient of the 40 Under 40 Public Health Catalyst Awards by the Boston Congress of Public Health.
Rodriguez, a New York native, is senior director of consumer health at March of Dimes. With over 15 years of experience working in academic research and non-profit organizations, her current role and recent scholarly pursuits have allowed Rodriguez to lead health education initiatives and explore issues driving inequities in maternal-infant health.
“This accomplishment is deeply rooted in the lessons I learned at Iona, which fostered my commitment to social justice and community engagement and laid the foundation for my public health career,” said Rodriguez. “The recognition from the Boston Congress of Public Health further strengthens my commitment to continue making an impact in public health, both locally and globally, and represent the Iona community with pride.”
After earning her Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Iona in 2007, she went on to pursue a Master of Science in Health Education at Columbia University and is currently a Ph.D. student in the Community Health and Health Policy track at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy. Learn more about Juviza’s career journey.
Juviza’s Iona Experience
What do you love most about what you're currently doing?
What I love most about what I’m currently doing is the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals, especially those who are often overlooked or underserved. My work allows me to blend my passion for maternal-infant health with my commitment to health equity, ensuring that people receive culturally relevant and accessible information.
Why did you decide to study your particular major?
I originally went to Iona as a biology major to go on to medical school. However, I had a love for travel from a very young age and was always intrigued by the world around me. Over time, I realized that an interdisciplinary approach, which combined various perspectives, suited me better. This led me to switch to international studies, where I could explore global issues more broadly. It was through this shift in focus that I eventually discovered my passion for public health, realizing it was the perfect way to connect my interests in health, culture, and community.
How did Iona prepare you for where you are today, personally and/or professionally?
Iona gave me the foundation and direction I needed to pursue this path. As a first-generation college student, navigating higher education was daunting, and I struggled to see myself pursuing anything other than medicine. That all changed when I took an elective sociology course on race and ethnic relations with Dr. William Engelman. His teaching opened my eyes to the systemic issues that impact communities and exacerbate health disparities. That course ignited my passion for addressing health inequities, which has shaped my career in public health and fueled my commitment to making a difference in underserved communities.
What advice do you have for a current Iona student who wants to follow a similar path?
My advice to current students wanting to follow a similar path is to explore how various fields connect to the bigger picture of health and community well-being. Public health is deeply rooted in social sciences like sociology, psychology, economics, and policy. It’s important to take courses that offer different perspectives on societal issues, as they all play a role in understanding health disparities and finding solutions. Approach your studies with a broad lens and consider how different disciplines can complement one another.
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona is widely recognized in prestigious rankings, including The Princeton Review’s 2025 national list of “The Best 390 Colleges” and The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse’s “2024 Best Colleges in America,” which ranked Iona at #66 in the nation overall and #8 in the nation among Catholic schools. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just six percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2023.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with NewYork-Presbyterian. Connecting to its Irish heritage, the University also recently announced it is expanding abroad with a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.