When Luis Rodriguez walked across the Commencement stage on May 9 and accepted his diploma, he wasn’t the first in his family to do so as a graduate of Winona State University’s Composite Materials Engineering program.
In fact, he followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Julian Rodriguez—a 2022 graduate who helped pave the way.
Luis Rodriguez ’25
Julian Rodriguez ’22
Both from Faribault, Minnesota, the Rodriguez brothers share more than just a surname; they share a passion for engineering and a deep appreciation for the uniquely hands-on, community-driven education they received at WSU.
Julian, now an account manager at Core Molding Technologies in the powersports industry, credits WSU for launching his engineering career. “Winona State has the only accredited undergraduate program in the U.S. that offers a Bachelor of Science in Composite Materials Engineering,” he said. “That stood out to me—and it’s what led me to choose WSU.”
His journey began as a product engineer, where he developed a strong foundation in product development, program management, and cross-functional collaboration. Now in a client-facing role, Julian applies both his technical knowledge and relationship-building skills to deliver value to his customers. He lives and works in St. Charles, Minnesota, in a hybrid role that blends engineering insight with strategic business growth.
While Julian may have inspired Luis to take a closer look at Winona State, it was the program’s supportive and collaborative atmosphere that truly convinced Luis to follow the same path.
“I always knew I wanted to go into engineering, but I wasn’t sure what kind,” Luis said. “My brother was attending WSU at the time, and once I explored the program, I knew it was the right fit.”
That decision has paid off. Throughout his time at WSU, Luis immersed himself in hands-on lab work, student leadership, and professional development. As president of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity for two years and a member of both the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) and the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE), he honed his leadership and communication skills—traits he believes are critical for success in a traditionally introverted field.
Now, with graduation just around the corner, Luis is preparing to transition from his internship into a full-time engineering role at Syensqo in Winona, working in aerospace and defense applications—his dream field.
“I’m proud to graduate from such a unique and respected program,” he said. “WSU helped me grow not just as an engineer, but as a person.”
From brothers in the classroom to engineers in the field, Julian and Luis Rodriguez exemplify the powerful impact of family, mentorship, and opportunity. Their story is a reminder of the ripple effect one Warrior’s journey can have—and how WSU continues to shape generations of engineers ready to lead.
