Stellar Student Spotlight: Franchel Rodriguez

At the University of the Virgin Islands, we are a tight-knit family. At the heart of that family are our students. Brilliant, brave, innovative, and compassionate, their passion for life and dedication to improving their communities inspire us all here at UVI. As we continue our Stellar Student Spotlight Series, this month, we highlight an aspiring Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) on the Albert A. Sheen Campus, whose heart is set on bettering the lives of those in his community. Meet Mr. Franchel Rodriguez.

Senior | University of the Virgin Islands – Albert A. Sheen Campus, St. Croix

Academic Programs

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)
• Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice (A.A.S.)
• Professional Spanish Certificate

Fun Fact

Believe it or not, healthcare wasn’t always the plan.

When I was younger, I wanted to become an architect. I loved looking at buildings and imagining myself designing homes, hospitals, and skyscrapers one day. Looking back, I realize I still enjoy building things—I just traded blueprints for people. Today, instead of building structures, I hope to help build healthier individuals, stronger families, and a healthier Virgin Islands.

Who is Franchel E. Rodriguez?

That’s a question I’ve asked myself many times.

If you had met me years ago, you probably would have met someone with big dreams but no idea where life would eventually lead. Like many people, my journey hasn’t been perfect. I’ve experienced disappointment, setbacks, moments when I question myself, and seasons when life felt heavier than I expected. But through every obstacle, one thing never changed—I kept putting God first.

My faith has taught me that every setback has a purpose, every delay has a lesson, and every challenge has an opportunity to grow. I learned that success isn’t about never falling; it’s about having the courage to get back up every single time.

As a child, I dreamed of becoming an architect. I loved designing buildings and imagining the future. Everything changed when I watched my grandfather’s health begin to decline. I remember wishing there was something I could do to help him, but I couldn’t. That feeling stayed with me long after he was gone.

That’s when I realized I didn’t want to build buildings anymore.

I wanted to help build hope.

I wanted to become the person who could comfort patients during their hardest days, support families during difficult moments, and remind people that they are never alone.

Today, I am a senior at the University of the Virgin Islands pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice, and a Professional Spanish Certificate. Every opportunity I’ve been blessed with—from research to leadership to community service—has reminded me that my purpose is bigger than myself.

I don’t want to be remembered because of the degrees I earned or the awards I received.

I want to be remembered because I made someone else’s life a little better.

As someone pursuing Nursing while earning an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice, what made you choose UVI?

For me, choosing UVI wasn’t just choosing a university—it was choosing home.

The University of the Virgin Islands gave me the opportunity to stay connected to the community that raised me while receiving an education that continues to challenge me every day.

Being the only HBCU in the Caribbean makes UVI special, but what truly makes it different are the people. My professors believed in me, my mentors have challenged me, and my classmates have become family.

Looking back, I honestly can’t imagine my college journey anywhere else.

You were recently a member of the third cohort of the Cardiovascular Research Empowerment Workforce (CREW) Program. What has that experience meant to you, and what is one highlight of that journey?

CREW changed the way I think.

Before this program, I thought research was just collecting numbers and writing papers.

I quickly learned that research is really about people.

It’s about asking questions that matter, finding answers that improve lives, and giving a voice to communities that deserve to be heard.

My research focused on the relationship between intimate partner violence and heart health—a topic that doesn’t always receive the attention it deserves.

Presenting my project before healthcare professionals, government leaders, faculty, and members of the community was both exciting and nerve-racking.

Receiving the Best Research Project Award and the Excellence in Leadership Award was an incredible honor, but what meant even more to me was realizing that my work had started conversations about an important public health issue.

That reminded me why I chose this path in the first place.

As a senior balancing multiple responsibilities, how do you manage your work-life schedule?

I’ll be honest.

Some days I have everything planned perfectly.

Other days, life reminds me that not everything goes according to plan.

I’ve learned that organization helps, but grace is just as important.

I keep a calendar, make to-do lists, and try to stay ahead whenever I can, but I also remind myself that it’s okay to take a breath when life gets overwhelming.

One thing I never do is compare my journey to someone else’s.

Everyone’s timeline is different.

What has been your favorite part of being a member of the Bucs family?

The people.

Without question.

I’ve been surrounded by professors who challenged me, mentors who believed in me, classmates who encouraged me, and friends who celebrated my successes as if they were their own.

Being part of the Buccaneer family has taught me that no one reaches success alone.

Someone always helps you along the way.

Define Success.

Success isn’t the degree hanging on the wall.

It’s not the title before your name.

It’s not the awards sitting on a shelf.

Success is staying humble when life is going well, trusting God when life isn’t, and using every blessing you’ve been given to become a blessing to someone else.

If one person reads my story and decides not to give up…

If one student believes they’re capable of achieving something they once thought was impossible…

If one patient leaves my care feeling seen, heard, and valued…

Then I will consider my life successful.

What is the most notable piece of wisdom that any UVI instructor or mentor has shared with you?

One lesson I’ll never forget is that feedback isn’t failure.

It’s growth.

Some of my biggest improvements happened because someone cared enough to tell me I could do better.

I’ve learned not to take constructive criticism personally.

Instead, I take it as an opportunity to become the best version of myself.

What advice would you give nursing and criminal justice students considering attending UVI?

Say yes to opportunities.

Even the ones that scare you.

Apply for the research program.

Run for leadership.

Volunteer.

Introduce yourself to your professors.

Ask questions.

The opportunities that changed my life all started with one simple decision…

I said yes.

Degree aside, what do you hope to achieve during your time at UVI?

More than anything, I hope people remember how I treated them.

I hope I leave UVI knowing I made someone feel encouraged.

I hope I have inspired another student to believe in themselves.

I hope I showed that students from the Virgin Islands can compete anywhere while never forgetting where they came from.

If I can leave UVI better than I found it, I’ll be proud of the legacy I’ve left behind.

Where do you hope to see yourself five years from now?

Five years from now, I hope to be serving the people of the Virgin Islands as a registered nurse while continuing my education toward becoming a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and eventually earning my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.

I also hope to continue conducting clinical and translational research that improves healthcare throughout our Territory.

My dream isn’t simply to earn degrees.

My dream is to use everything I learn to give back to the community that believed in me long before I believed in myself.

I want young people growing up in the Virgin Islands to look at my journey and realize that no dream is too big.

If I can inspire even one person to keep going when life gets hard, then every challenge I’ve overcome will have been worth it.