Posted on May 31, 2025 by Katelyn Juarez
Mariela A. Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Mariela A. Rodríguez, Ph.D. is a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and Co-Editor of the American Educational Research Journal (AERJ).
The American Educational Research Journal (AERJ) is the flagship journal of the American Educational Research Association, featuring articles that advance the empirical, theoretical, and methodological understanding of education and learning. It publishes original peer-reviewed analyses that span the field of education research across all subfields and disciplines and all levels of analysis. It also encourages submissions across all levels of education throughout the life span and all forms of learning. AERJ welcomes submissions of the highest quality, reflecting a wide range of perspectives, topics, contexts, and methods, including interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary work.
What drew you to become involved with the American Educational Research Journal (AERJ)?
AERJ is an excellent journal from the American Educational Research Association (AERA), one of the largest educational research associations. I was invited to form part of a proposal that brought together the Editor-in-Chief, Co-Editors, and Associate Editors. I supported the goals of the editorial team, and believed that I could make a positive contribution. I had prior experience as a journal co-editor and had served in various roles with AERA, including Vice President of Division A: Administration.
How do you balance your editorial responsibilities with your teaching and research?
It’s important to be organized and follow a schedule. I commit time each week to fulfill my responsibilities as a co-editor. My teaching commitments include preparation time and grading in addition to the actual delivery of instruction. So, I try to schedule those duties in a balanced way by dividing the tasks throughout each week. I divide my research responsibilities more long term given the nature of collecting data, analyzing data, and writing up the findings.
What advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a journal editor or joining an editorial board?
I encourage scholars to join editorial boards first. That way they can gain valuable experience as manuscript peer reviewers. Such experiences will give academics needed insights regarding the review and publication processes. Making time to dedicate to providing useful and detailed feedback to authors is important. I encourage individuals to prepare effective reviews as that might get them considered for a journal’s “Review of the Year” award. After spending time as a reviewer for various journals, then it will be a smoother transition into becoming a journal co-editor or journal editor.
What is something non-academic that you are currently obsessed with (TV show, hobby, etc.)?
I enjoy wildlife photography very much. Mostly, I photograph birds and have learned to identify some of them. I’ve earned several awards for my photographs including the 2023 San Antonio River Authority River Clicks Photo Contest-Special Category Winner-San Pedro Creek Culture Park that is a photo of a yellow-crowned night heron eating a crawfish.
If you weren’t in academia, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
Well, it would still be academia, but in the field of archaeology. So, I’d be in the field more than in the office. I have always been interested in history and historical artifacts. Luckily, I’ve visited Egypt twice and have enjoyed seeing some of the wonders that it holds. The Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza are two of my favorites. Then, visiting the Library of Alexandria was a dream fulfilled.
— Katelyn Juarez
