Before stepping into his role as director of the Black and Latino Male Initiative (BLMI), Christopher Rodriguez Hernandez spent a decade helping students thrive through the ASAP program at Kingsborough Community College (CUNY). That experience—along with his own journey through foster care—shaped his deep commitment to student success.

Now, just over a year into his new role, Rodriguez is bringing new energy and vision to BLMI, a program he describes as “a one-stop shop” for students who need support, community, and a place to belong. The initiative provides personalized academic advisement, peer and faculty mentorship, career planning and leadership workshops, and prioritizes finding mentors that its mostly black and brown student population can relate to. (The program is open to students of all races and genders.)

Rodriguez talks about his path, the challenges students face, and what it means to build a space where students feel like they’re home.

You’ve had a remarkable journey. Can you share a bit about your background and how it shaped your work today?

 I was born in Puerto Rico and came to New York when I was nine—originally just for vacation. But my mom decided to stay, and we ended up navigating some tough times, including homelessness and eventually foster care. I lived in public housing and then with foster families. That experience shaped everything. I always wanted to be a doctor, and I pursued that dream all the way to medical school. But due to financial issues—my loan was canceled—I couldn’t complete it. That’s when I found myself in education, working with foster youth, and realized this was my calling.

What drew you to BLMI and Brooklyn College?

Honestly, it felt like destiny. Through my master’s program in higher education, I focused on men of color in STEM. When I saw the opportunity at BLMI, it aligned perfectly. What impressed me most was the legacy—former students returning as staff, alumni staying involved. That speaks volumes about the impact of the program. It’s not just a student initiative, it’s a community.

What are some of the biggest challenges you see students facing, and how is BLMI addressing them?

 Resource gaps are a major issue—transportation, housing, food insecurity, tuition. We’ve had students come from programs where they received MetroCards, and suddenly they’re here without that support. We’re working to build emergency funds, scholarships, and partnerships to help fill those gaps. We also sent students abroad this summer—two to Japan, one to Spain—but rising costs meant we could only send three instead of six. We want to do more.

What’s your vision for BLMI moving forward?

 I want BLMI to be a true one-stop shop for students. We’re implementing student success plans that include academic, career, and social-emotional components. We’re using tools like Navigate to help students track their progress and goals. My background in ASAP taught me the value of intrusive advisement—checking in regularly, using data to identify roadblocks, and creating targeted support. We’re also building stronger ties with other campus programs and departments to ensure students are connected across the board.

What has surprised you most since joining Brooklyn College?

The level of collaboration. I’ve worked in different higher ed spaces, and it’s rare to see such strong partnerships across departments—Africana Studies, Sociology, LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Women’s Center, ISSO. Everyone is invested in student success. We had a summer institute where staff, faculty, and alumni all came together to engage new students. That kind of unity is powerful.

What’s the vibe like in the BLMI space?

It’s home. Students walk by and hear conversations in Spanish, see people who look like them, smell jerk chicken—it’s familiar, comforting. I had two Latino students stop by and say, “You guys are speaking Spanish in there?” That sense of belonging is everything. It’s not just about programming; it’s about creating a space where students feel seen and valued.

If resources weren’t an issue, what’s your dream for BLMI?

 I’d love to create dedicated internships for our students—tailored to their majors, with alumni mentors and networking opportunities. We took students to a Latino leadership conference in New Jersey, and it was transformative. Imagine if we could send them to national conferences in Seattle or California. I’d also love to take students suit shopping before galas or professional events. We’ve had to rely on donations, but how amazing would it be to say, “Let’s go to Men’s Warehouse together”?

What impresses you most about Brooklyn College students?

 Their talent and drive. I sit down with students for success planning, and they’re already building portfolios, launching businesses, developing software. They’re not waiting for permission—they’re doing it. We just need to make sure the system isn’t getting in their way. If we’re not ready to support them, we’re the barrier.

Outside of work, what keeps you grounded?

 I’m a father of two—a 15-year-old son and a two-year old daughter. We’re big on road trips and hiking. Every Father’s Day, my son and I go camping. It’s our tradition. We’ve hiked in New York, Vermont, Maine, even Costa Rica. It’s how we stay connected and recharge.