Rudy M. Molina, Jr., PhD
Vice Provost, Student Academic Success & Enrollment Management
James Madison University

Born and raised in Santa Clara, California, Dr. Rudy M. Molina, Jr. has built his professional experience around student success in higher education. As a practitioner, his experience in assistive and educational technology informs how to best support students who learn differently and student populations who have been traditionally underrepresented in higher education. As a researcher, he explores the impact of non-cognitive factors on student success, such as how self-determination influences academic and life outcomes for college students with disabilities.

Rudy received his B.A. in Mexican American Studies and his M.A. in Bilingual/Special Education and Rehabilitation and his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona. He received his doctorate from the Language Reading & Culture department from the College of Education in 2014 with his dissertation titled, “I Wouldn’t Change Anything”: The Everyday Realities of Living With Autism From A Parent’s Perspective. His academic background provides a unique perspective on cultural implications, the learning process, and the role of the family, all of which have contributed Dr. Molina’s ‘philosophy of care’ when working with and supporting colleges students from all walks of life.

As the Vice Provost at James Madison University (JMU), Dr. Molina is the chief student success officer for the University and advises the Provost on the campus-wide student success strategy. He provides leadership in strategic planning, academic advising, summer and winter session, learning centers, and policy development in these and other areas. He also provides insight on research and assessment, fundraising and advancement, learning and retention, community outreach, and alumni relations. Dr. Molina serves as a liaison to the colleges’ deans, academic unit heads, and faculty across JMU.

Dr. Molina currently serves on the Student Success joint forum representing the Urban Serving Universities (USU) sub-committee of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU). He is a member of a number of professional associations, some of which include, National Association for Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), Hispanic Association for Colleges and Universities (HACU), the National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA), and was Certified Learning Center Professional – Level 3 through the Learning Center Leadership Certification (LCLC). In 2018, he served as faculty for the Dungy Leadership Institute (DLI) through the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows (NUFP) Program and he was an active member of the Adult Education Committee for the Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of America between 2009 to 2013. Most recently, he was selected as a fellow for both the 2018 UC Berkeley Executive Leadership Institute and the 2019 HACU Academia de Liderazgo(Presidential Leadership Academy). 

During his personal time, he enjoys the outdoors and playing sports; spending time with his wife and two boys; and working on his classic car.