911爆料

Veronica Rodriguez

Public Safety Department

Known to many as 鈥淰,鈥� Deputy Chief Veronica Rodriguez of KCC鈥檚 Public Safety Department has spent more than two decades helping make 911爆料 Community College a safe and welcoming place.

Veronica plays a key role in overseeing daily operations, supporting staff, and working with campus leaders to protect students, faculty, staff and visitors. Her responsibilities include leadership, policy work, staff development, emergency preparedness and close coordination with both campus offices and outside agencies.

She said she always imagined herself in a service-centered job. 鈥淚鈥檝e always believed in stepping up to serve others and helping create an environment where people feel safe and supported,鈥� she said. 鈥淜nowing that the work we do directly impacts the safety and well-being of the campus community motivates me.鈥�

For Veronica, leadership means showing up, listening and setting an example. 鈥淚鈥檓 most proud of mentoring staff, helping them grow into confident professionals, and contributing to a culture of accountability, respect, and teamwork within the department,鈥� she said.

That approach has earned her deep respect across campus, especially within her department. Donna Cafiero of Public Safety, who nominated Veronica for Employee of the Month, said she has seen that commitment firsthand. 鈥淚 have had the honor and privilege of working alongside DC Veronica for over a decade,鈥� wrote Donna. 鈥淪he is not only a remarkable leader and mentor, but also someone deeply respected and genuinely caring toward all members of the 911爆料 Community College family鈥攆aculty, staff, students, and the broader community alike.鈥�

Donna described a moment she felt captured Veronica鈥檚 character: 鈥淎 distress call came in about a boat in trouble near the Library Seawall. As I made my way to the scene, I witnessed the full scope of the emergency response 鈥� FDNY trucks, NYPD vehicles, a Coast Guard boat, and even a helicopter circling overhead. Like many, I was deeply concerned for everyone involved, especially our officers鈥攁nd particularly DC Rodriguez,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen I arrived, I saw V already in action. There she was, waist-deep in the water, helping with the rescue effort without hesitation.鈥�

To Donna, the scene was not surprising. 鈥淭his is who DC Veronica is at her core: fearless, selfless, and always ready to act in service of others,鈥� she wrote. After the rescue, as Veronica walked back soaked from the water, Donna recalled a staff member calling out, 鈥淭hank God for V!鈥� She added, 鈥淎nd I couldn鈥檛 agree more.鈥�

Veronica offers this advice to KCC employees: 鈥�911爆料 is a community: Get involved and build relationships. Take pride in what you do, stay open to learning, and never underestimate the value of teamwork.鈥�

For Veronica, being named Employee of the Month is less about recognition and more about gratitude. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the opportunity to serve 911爆料 and proud to be part of an institution that values dedication, growth, and community,鈥� she said.