As some major adjustments were happening on campus for this upcoming school year, the arrival of Sylvia Rodriguez Vargas, Ph.D., the new Associate headmaster, certainly serves as one of the critical changes. Effective as of July 1, 2020, her role as the new Associate Headmaster replaced the vacancy left by the departure of Len Miller. In addition, she will also be contributing to the Language Department as a Spanish 1 teacher. 

According to Dr. Rodriguez Vargas, “I believe that every person seeks a place where they can belong, where they are valued, and where they can contribute in meaningful ways … Throughout my visit, these kinds of exchanges, along with the various conversations I enjoyed during the three days on campus, brought to life, for me, ‘Whatsoever Things Are True’ and what it means to be part of the family boarding school. Needless to say, the visit solidified that Hill was the right place for me!” 

Beginning as a peer tutor in high school, Dr. Rodriguez Vargas has remained in school for over 25 years. After being a graduate teaching assistant at The Ohio State University, she has served in independent day and boarding schools for more than 20 years. In her career, Dr. Rodriguez Vargas has been a teacher, department chair, division director, communications and marketing chair, academic dean, associate head, and head of school. 

“Dr. Rodriguez Vargas offers the remarkable combination of accomplished academic, thoughtful strategist, skillful administrator, and empathetic leader, and we are thrilled to welcome her to The Hill family,” said Headmaster Zack Lehman P’16’18.

With a B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature, and Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies, an M.Ed. In Educational Administration, Private School Leadership, an M.A. in Latin American Literature and Literary Analysis, and Ph.D. In Educational Administration, Dr. Rodriguez Vargas has an extensive worldview that will be beneficial to the Hill students. With the experience of teaching AP Spanish and literature courses, Dr. Rodriguez Vargas and Yassine Benzinane, the Department Chair of the language department, think it will be most impactful to have her teach the Spanish 1 class in order to prepare novice students for success in the language through immersion. 

Benzinane further added, “Dr. Rodriguez has extensive experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion. I trust that she will be a wise and influential voice in any pathways we are taking to enhance every community member’s experience at Hill. However, I believe she will be an especially great role model for minority faculty and students.”