Alexandra Rodriguez ‘20 has not had an easy journey, but her drive and passion for helping others has taken her to the Massachusetts State House as a legislative aide for State Representative Daniel Cahill, serving the 10th Essex district. She has been able to build her career thanks to the support and mentorship she found at North Shore Community College (NSCC). 

A Rocky Educational Start 

Rodriguez’s family moved frequently when she was a child, but they eventually settled in Massachusetts. 

"I was born in Manhattan, raised in the Bronx, but I always say that Dorchester made me,” Rodriguez said. 

Growing up, she felt different from her peers. She struggled in school and was held back year after year—she would find out years later that she has a learning disability. She had a drive to learn, but school meant constant anger and frustration.  

She considered dropping out, but she wanted to set a good example for her five siblings, and so she persisted, finishing high school at age 21. She tried attending a four-year college next, but she withdrew after a couple semesters. 

Rodriguez moved to Lynn, where, directionless, she worked random jobs. She was a bright young woman, but she was held back by her lack of a college degree, and she found herself stuck in a cycle of self-doubt.

Pivotal Moment

One day, while working as an office manager at an auto body shop, one of her coworkers pulled her aside. 

“What are you doing, working here?” he asked. “You’re a smart person, and you learn so quickly, so why aren’t you in college? You should think about it—North Shore is right across the street.”

That nudge was just what she needed. At NSCC, she met people who not only recognized her potential and pushed her to set goals, but also helped her achieve those goals. During Rodriguez’s time at the College, faculty and staff supported her every step of the way, from walking her through the FAFSA form to guiding her through writing her first resume and cover letter. 

Rodriguez decided to earn a degree in legal administration. She worked part time as an administrative assistant for the College’s TRIO programs and became the president of the College’s chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success (Sigma Alpha Pi).

Through Sigma Alpha Pi, assistant dean of academic and student development Amanda Dooling encouraged Rodriguez to participate in Advocacy Day at the Massachusetts State House with the goal of advocating for more transportation funding. 

After she attended a student event at the State House, Rodriguez stopped Representative Cahill in the hallway. He told her she had two minutes to say her piece before he had to leave to vote in the chamber—and in just those two minutes, he recognized her potential.

"He asks me about my goals, so I say to him, 'Eventually, I want to go to law school and become a lawyer.' Then he looks straight into my eyes and says, 'No, you're going to work for me one day. You'll be working in politics.'" 

Rodriguez laughed off his prediction. She continued her education—the student who once struggled so badly graduated from the College summa cum laude.

Two years after Rodriguez’s visit to Beacon Hill, Representative Cahill reached out to the College in search of a candidate for an administrative aide position. Rodriguez was invited to apply, and she landed an interview via Zoom.

"I remember him getting on the call and both of our mouths dropped. He goes, ‘I remember telling you that you were going to work for me one day!’”

She worked as an administrative aide part time as she completed her bachelor’s degree in law at Suffolk University. She was offered a full scholarship to Suffolk, where she was admitted into the honors program. Determined to take advantage of every opportunity, she joined a sorority, was part of the Suffolk University Legal Association, and attended every study session she could. 

A Passion for Advocacy

After earning her bachelor’s, Rodriguez became a legislative aide in Representative Cahill’s office. She is the first point of contact with constituents, connecting them to resources and recording their opinions on policy. She attends briefings and meets with lobbyists, organizations, and other advocates in order to best serve the district. Rodriguez’s dedication was recognized in the 2025 Latino Excellence Awards organized by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. 

With her passion for advocacy and justice, Rodriguez plans on pursuing a career as a lawyer, and she dreams of one day becoming a judge. She’s proud of how far she’s  come—from a kid who carried anger and doubt to a woman who leads with strength, grace, and purpose.

"All that I encountered in life made me who I am, because it didn't let me back down. It made me fearless."