Chapman University’s Wilkinson College recently welcomed Julie Chávez Rodríguez, Chapman Presidential Fellow, political strategist, and organizer, for a conversation with Dean Jennifer Keene about civic engagement, career building, and what it means to dedicate your life to public service.

Rodríguez didn’t stumble into activism; she was born into it. Coming from a family that had long participated in labor and political activism, she started young and with purpose. By age five, she was already volunteering at farmworker events, and by college, she was deep in the thick of the strawberry campaign, a multi-year effort to raise wages for the workers who grow 80% of California’s strawberries.

“I knew I cared deeply about farm workers, the Latino community, and working people and their ability to have good-paying jobs so they can enjoy life,” she said. “Those things I sought out, and I tried to find ways to operationalize that and put it into my career pathway.”

From Community to National Leadership: A Conversation with Julie Chávez Rodríguez. Photo by Violet Gude (’29 Broadcast Journalism; CCI minor).

That passion carried her all the way to Washington, D.C., where she served in both the Obama and Biden administrations. One of her proudest accomplishments was helping develop DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), a program that has since benefited over 800,000 young people. She recalled receiving a phone call from activist Gabi Pacheco, who had marched from Miami to D.C. in support of the cause, when the announcement was made. “For the first time in my life, I feel whole,” Pacheco told her. For Rodríguez, that moment encapsulated everything. “It’s never about policy – it’s always about people,” she said, echoing President Obama. “It can’t just be about words, legislation, or an acronym. It’s about the people it affects.”

Most recently, Rodríguez served as campaign manager for the Kamala Harris and Joe Biden presidential campaigns – an experience she described simply as “unprecedented.” What began as a team of five grew to an organization of 3,000 by Election Day. Through every twist and turn of the campaign, she remained focused on the human element: understanding the country’s pulse and finding meaningful ways to bring people into the work.

For students interested in getting involved, Rodríguez had plenty of advice. She encouraged everyone to work on a campaign of their interest at least once, describing it as an unmatched training ground. “You learn so much about yourself and become part of a network and community that will be with you for the rest of your life. It really is like family.” Entry points range from field organizing and fundraising to digital media, data science, and communications – making campaigns accessible no matter your background or skill set.

On civic engagement more broadly, she was equally enthusiastic, reminding students that voting is both a right and a responsibility, and that everyone has a platform – even if it’s just a conversation with family or friends. “Civic engagement is how we build community,” she said.

Students attending the event, “A Conversation with Julie Chávez Rodríguez.” Photo by Violet Gude (’29 Broadcast Journalism; CCI minor).

When asked what she would tell her younger self, her answer was immediate: “Be fearless and carry the confidence that others see in you.” She admitted to “faking it” until she realized the leadership qualities others recognized in her were real all along. And when asked how she navigated spaces as a woman of color, she was candid: “Definitely harder” – but she learned early on that sometimes getting things done mattered more than getting credit for them. “I advanced pretty quickly in my political career because I knew how to get things done.”

Rodríguez closed with a reminder that felt especially timely: while national politics can feel chaotic, there is tremendous energy and opportunity at the local level. “When things are chaotic at the national level, I get excited about continuing to build locally. There are incredible opportunities to get engaged in our own backyard.”

For students looking to find their footing in public service, nonprofit work, or political organizing, her message was simple – start with what you care about, volunteer, find a mentor, and don’t wait for the perfect moment. The work is already underway, and there’s always room for one more.

 

(Photo header: From Community to National Leadership: A Conversation with Dean Jennifer Keene (left) and Julie Chávez Rodríguez (right). Photo by Violet Gude (’29 Broadcast Journalism; CCI minor).