Raúl Rodriguez obtained a Ph.D. in Psychology in 1987 from University of California, Santa Cruz; a master of arts in school and applied psychology in 1982 from Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut; and a bachelor of arts in liberal studies from Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio in 1977.

Prior to joining San Joaquin Delta College on August 1, 2002, Dr. Rodriguez had served as president of Los Medanos College, Contra Costa Community College District, in Pittsburgh, California since 1996. He was interim president at San Jose City College from August 1995 until July 1996, where he had held the position of vice president of instruction from January 1994. From December 1989 until January 1994, Dr. Rodriguez was dean of instruction, acting director of student development, and director of institutional research at Cabrillo Community College in Santa Cruz. Additionally, he taught and lectured in the field of psychology at Cabrillo Community College and University of California, Santa Cruz.

Dr. Rodriguez has chaired accreditation teams, established an educational center in the community of Brentwood, developed a facilities master plan, and prepared the groundwork for a bond campaign. Demonstrated executive leadership, community involvement and partnerships, unprecedented enrollment growth, technology programs, strategic planning, and management accountability are just a few of the strengths that led San Joaquin Delta College to select Dr. Rodriguez as the 8th president of the college.