Nuria Rodriguez

Professor

“I was 13 when I came to the U.S. from Cuba. And I arrived just in time for Beatle-mania.”

The universe and SMC. Whether pondering the macrocosm or pounding across the microcosm turf of the campus on her way to class, Nuria Rodriguez feels a sense of wonder and excitement. In her fourth year of teaching physics at SMC she states, “It always feels great being here. There is such wonderful diversity among the students. And the mix—older and younger and those from other cultures—makes it an endlessly fascinating place.”

But the bigger picture—the physical universe—is one that Nuria is most concerned with clarifying in her classroom. “My students need physics to go into any of the physical sciences or medicine,” she says. “Our studies clear up for people a lot apparent mysteries about the world and help them to see the importance of their own ability to reason. Understanding physics presents people with an exciting new point of view that helps to put seemingly unrelated phenomena in perspective. It’s always gratifying,” she says, “to watch my students suddenly grasp a major new understanding of their world.”

The study of science is one that Nuria hopes will receive far more attention in the future. “The excitement of scientific discovery is hidden to so many in this county because it’s not encouraged,” she says. “It’s sad that so many intelligent, creative people have to miss out on it.”

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