Alumni Spotlight: Henry and Jessica Rodrigues

Over the past 110 years, more than 200,000 individuals have graduated from Webster University around the world

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Meet Henry and Jessica Rodrigues, who are both 2010 alums of the Political Science program, met in Professor Dan Hellinger’s research methods course and took a first date after one class to IHOP for free pancake day.

What enticed you to choose Webster for your degree?

Jessica: Growing up in the Chicago area, I wanted to go somewhere just far enough away to feel independent but close enough to home that I could return easily when needed. I liked Webster's global emphasis on education and the small-town feel.

Henry: My older brother had attended and enjoyed Webster and recommended that I apply.

What stood out about your studies at Webster?

Jessica: I liked the small class sizes and variety of courses. I took some fun electives, something like death and zombies that looked at folklore around death, as well as informative electives in areas I was otherwise unfamiliar with, like a public health course in the Nursing Department.

Henry: Small classes provided an opportunity for a lot of interaction with professors, including the senior seminar, which culminated in a conversation with the department professors. I also enjoyed the variety of electives – I was able to take a fencing course!

How did your Webster degree help advance you in your career?

Henry: I learned excellent research skills which helped me in my later education, and these skills are very valuable right now as a librarian.

Jessica: Yes, the research skills are what stand out the most to me. As a library administrator, I must figure out a lot of complex things on the go, and as an instructor, I teach these skills now to my students.

What is your favorite spot on your Webster campus?

Jessica: I always loved the library and the cafe attached to it. I would do homework in the middle of the night there after getting off work and it was a safe and quiet place.

Henry: Jess and I spent a lot of time hanging out at the library. I also enjoyed using the study rooms, which were critical when I was studying for the LSAT.

What is something valuable you’ve learned in your career?

Jessica: Always be willing to learn and accept mentorship from others in the field and know who to ask when you have questions. And be someone that others can ask questions of when they need it, too.

Henry: Don't be afraid to try something new if what you're doing isn't satisfying. I went back to school for my MLIS after deciding not to pursue a career in law, and right now I feel that the work I am doing in libraries is extremely fulfilling.

What has your life journey looked like?

Jessica: I grew up in Park Forest, Illinois, in the south suburbs of Chicago. After moving around a bit in the area, we live there now, too, and I have the privilege of serving on the library board. After graduating from Webster, I moved back home and attended Governors State University for my MA in Political and Justice Studies while Henry was attending law school at Saint Louis University. We got married a couple of weeks before I graduated. I spent some time working a couple of part-time jobs, one of which was at my local library, which I loved! In no time at all I was working at a library full-time and knew this was the career for me. A few years later, I attended the University of Alabama online for my MLIS degree, and a few years after that Henry attended Chicago State University for his MLIS.

Henry: I spent my early childhood in central Nebraska but spent my teen and young adult years in Imperial, Missouri. I attended law school and passed the bar but decided a career in law wasn't right for me. I worked in retail management before returning to school for my MLIS, and my hobbies and experience as a father and as a Sunday school teacher made being a youth librarian a great fit.

How do you spend your free time?

Jessica: When I'm alone, a lot of reading and some video gaming. As a family, we like to travel and go on day trips. This summer we went on a few short trips around the Midwest, but we also spent a week volunteering at an orphanage in Argentina with some friends from our church.

Henry: I am a huge fan of building model kits and fishing (but I'm terrible at catching). As a family, we also love going to minor league baseball games and using our membership to the Art Institute of Chicago.