Félix Matos Rodríguez oversees the largest urban public university system in the United States.
Rodriguez, President of the City University of New York (CUNY) said: He was named to that position in his 2019, becoming the first Hispanic and person of color to lead a vast organization. “I am very honored,” he said. “You realize that you are opening up to others, and you hope that will lead to more inclusivity.”
Raised in Puerto Rico, Rodriguez, 60, began teaching at Hunter College in 2000. A course in Caribbean women’s history is also included. He lives in the town of Pelham in Westchester, near the Bronx border, with his wife, Liliana Arabia, 59, a retired dentist, Cairn, his terrier, Bailey, and his two sons from time to time. lives with Lucas Matos (20) and Juan Carlos Matos. He’s a 19-year-old college student who comes home regularly.
quiet I set my iPhone to 6am. An old-fashioned ringtone that reminds you of something that no longer exists. My son and his wife are not morning people, so this is my quiet time. I drink two of her coffees with skim milk shipped from Puerto Rico. Café Madre Isla and 787, Puerto Rico’s old area code. they are sacred. We then had a bowl of branded cereal and his biscotti with chocolate chips from Madonia Bakery.
news, carbs Three years ago I sobered up and started reading everything online.Read The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, El Nuevo Dia, Puerto Rican newspapers and two newsletters, Politico and City & State. Check your work email to make sure there are no emergencies. Then take Bailey, the queen of the house, on her first walk. If you’re short on biscotti, hop in a minivan and scurry off. Once there, have another cookie or olive bread. I always cheat when I go to the bakery.
Two-wheeled trekking Around 7:30 or 8:00, Liliana might still be reading on her cell phone in bed. I get my Blue Trek, the bike I bought during the pandemic, and go for a ride. Cycling during the pandemic has become a life-saving escape. The Bronx has a great network of roads. Sometimes we go to Orchard Beach, City Island, Pelham Bay, but usually Hutchinson River towards Whitestone Bridge He Parkway or the road by Mercy College in the Bronx. I sometimes ride my bike with my friends. In that case, she’ll stop by Archie’s in City Island.
go out to lunch We were back by 10:30. Negotiations begin over where to have brunch. Consensus restaurants for the whole family are Persepolis on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, or Tai He’s Villa in Union Square. Next, we will have gelato. i love sweets Weekends are special because they don’t serve dessert on weekdays. I’m a hazelnut and chocolate guy.
silver screen We’re slowly getting comfortable getting back to the movies, maybe going to the Regal Cinema theater or maybe Angelica. Her wife has great discretion and we try to influence her. In a family of four, there are compromises. Boys like action and mainstream movies when they’re with us. We like foreign artistic films.
smaller screen Came back with 5 or so. I take Bailey for a walk. Liliana and I might go out on deck or watch TV. My wife likes the UK and Royalty series on Netflix. During the pandemic, my sons kept me hooked on “Better Call Saul,” which I still watch, and her two anime series, “Attack on Titan” and “Death Note.” I’m also watching “Operation Mincemeat”. Snack on cheese and crackers or hummus and pita bread around 6:30 or 7:00.
Mothers Liliana’s mom is in Puerto Rico. I am in Orlando, Florida. Both of our mothers are on welfare. It is a great sense of responsibility and security that they are taking good care of me. My brother works away from my mother’s house, but this will be a big turning point for my mother as she will be going back to work.
call of duty Then go into work mode. I reply to important emails — flood the classroom. Power Outages on Campus — At our 25 campuses, there’s always something going on. Or getting ready for your next conference or event, like cutting the ribbon for a new science facility.
bedtime By 11:30 or midnight I will be home. Her wife is already in bed watching the news and the ‘Great British Baking Show’. She talked about the coming week and whether she would join me for a particular appearance, the Dominican Day Parade. These events are something else for her. Let’s read for a moment. Now it’s ‘The Walls Around Opportunity’ by Gary Orfield. I usually try to convince her to turn off her TV. Sometimes it succeeds, sometimes it doesn’t.
Sunday Routine readers can follow Félix Matos Rodríguez @ChancellorCUNY or Instagram @cunychancellor.