On Feb. 6, the annual Champions of the American event awarded President/CEO of El Concilio, Jose R. Rodriguez for his contributions to the community, in the Snider Recital Hall on the Stanislaus State Campus.  Since 1994, Rodriguez directed the non-profit to add 28 new programs and increased the operating budget from $1.5 million to $12 million.
El Concilio is the largest Latino, community based,  non-profit organization in the Central Valley that provides services to disadvantaged residents in the nine different sites which include San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Contra Costa. The agency extends behavioral science services, immigration services, and preschool centers to not only the Hispanic community, according to Rodriguez “to anyone walks through the door.” 
El Concilio was awarded for its advocacy and its role of registering more than 1,200 San Joaquin Valley residents to vote. Under Rodriguez leadership El Concilio is ranked of the among the 25 best non-profits in the nation.  
Rodriguez was very flattered to receive the Champions of the American Dream award and went on to say, “The fact that I come from an immigrant background and have been able to make a difference and impact in this community. And I think it is important to focus on the positive impact immigrants have made in the community.” He appreciated that he was able to share his story and people took an interest in what he had to say.
Students in attendance were among of the most excited to listen and meet Mr. Rodriguez. Anissa Tomes, a Senior Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources, said, “It interesting to see how they got the same education like us and went a different route and took a risk.”  Tomes was very inspired by this as self-proclaimed “anti-risk” person and who plays it safe.
For other students like Alyssa Nguyen, a Senior Business Administration with a concentration Human Resources and OM, the presentation inspired them to take own pursuits into consideration. Nguyen stated “I think that this gives me more of path of what I can do with my career.” 
When asked what he thought what students took away from the presentation, Rodriguez said, “When I think of my humble background… anybody can do it, I’m not smarter than anyone I just refused to give up.”
When asked why the Champions of the American Dream is so important Tomas Gomez-Arias, Ph.D., the dean of the college of business, said, “It’s an opportunity for students and the community to connect.” Gomez-Arias went on to explain that it serves the community and students to inspire them to get more involved.
The Champions of the American Dream was reintroduced to Stan State by the father/son duo of Norm Porges and Even Porges co-owners of Prime Shine. Evan Porges went on say the purpose of the event is to put a “spotlight” on not good business people but people he really put effort in helping the community.