Curtis Rodriguez-Porter
Summary
Visionary and results-driven senior leader with 7+ years of executive experience overseeing complex PreK-12 educational initiatives, strategic external affairs, and a multi-million dollar budget. Proven ability to cultivate high-level stakeholder relationships, including the State Department of Education, local government officials, district superintendents, and community leaders. Expert in driving comprehensive student recruitment and marketing strategies for school choice across the Hartford region. Highly skilled in team leadership, change management, political acumen, and leveraging data to achieve mission-critical outcomes.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Managing Director – School Choice Division & Hartford Region Open Choice
Capital Region Education Council - CREC
Hartford, CT
05.2023 - Current
- Oversight of the Connecticut Comprehensive School Choice Plan (CCP) for creating and maintaining a sustainable, predictable, and consistent system of integrated education through the lottery and placement process, impacting over 9,000 magnet, and 2,500 Open Choice Program students and their families.
- Manages and strategically allocates a $3 million annual operating budget, ensuring fiscal health and optimal resource deployment across CREC, School Choice schools, and programs.
- Cultivates and maintains high-level partnerships with the State Department of Education, Regional School Choice Office, and 27 superintendents across the Hartford region to align program goals with statewide educational mandates and regional equity objectives.
- Designs and executes a unified external affairs and marketing strategy for the CREC School Choice Division, comprised of 17 magnet schools and 27 districts, to increase student enrollment and regional brand visibility according to the CCP and CREC enrollment targets.
- Oversight of all program operations, including the CREC Welcome Center, which receives over 300 visitors annually, ensuring a streamlined and professional experience for all prospective families and district partners.
- Leads and supervises a diverse team of 17 certified and non-certified staff, establishing clear performance metrics, conducting formal evaluations, and coaching the team on effective collaboration with district partners that align with the division’s strategic vision.
- Executes the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations for all choice programming.
Program Manager- School Choice Division
Capital Region Education Council - CREC
Hartford, CT
09.2020 - 11.2023
- Led cross-functional teams in the successful delivery of program milestones, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
- Coordinated and executed outreach, recruitment, and marketing strategies for Open Choice and CREC Magnet Schools.
- Served as a liaison for CREC in coordinating all RSCO marketing events, including the collection of outreach data and marketing materials for the Open Choice program and CREC Magnet Schools.
- Oversaw and streamlined communication regarding programs and services provided by the Open Choice program to families, students, and partnering school districts.
- Directly supervised employees: planning, assigning, and reviewing work; training, counseling, disciplining, and appraising performance.
- Identified process improvement opportunities and implemented policies and procedures.
- Managed an annual marketing budget of $300,000 plus.
Family Engagement Specialist, Hartford Region Open Choice Program
Capital Region Education Council - CREC
Hartford, CT
11.2018 - 09.2020
- Worked collaboratively with resource specialists, parents, and districts to ensure all incoming Open Choice families, grades Pre-K through 12, experience a positive connection with their receiving school.
- Led 25 district representative liaisons to enhance student transition and Open Choice experience.
- Facilitated new family orientation sessions.
- Worked collaboratively with districts, resource specialists, and the student services coordinator to establish guidelines and practices that ensure families are connected and engaged.
- Developed and facilitated family events.
- Established and maintains effective and timely communication with schools and network staff around early childhood parent engagement.
- Supported schools with building relationships that foster strong partnerships with community organizations, and enhance the effectiveness of communication between Open Choice families and districts.
- Initiated best practices, and worked in collaboration with Open Choice staff to train and develop school staff to build capacity in supporting the needs of Open Choice families.
- Identified resources and activities that connect and engage families in support of student learning.
- Advocated for students and families enrolled in the Open Choice program, with receiving schools.
- Conducted surveys to gather feedback on family needs and program effectiveness.
Residential Program Worker
Residential Management Services
Kensington, CT
07.2004 - Current
- Performs case management duties for assigned clients providing support and counseling.
- Teaches and assists residents with daily living activities and life skills.
- Completes documentation, treatment plans, progress notes, and reviews.
- Charts client status in client log and client records and reads previous entries.
Program Assistant at Betances STEM Magnet School
Hartford Public Schools
Hartford, CT
03.2015 - 01.2018
- Engaged students, families, and community partners utilizing 21st-century technology.
- Coordinated and implemented a strategic marketing plan for student recruitment.
- Negotiated and secured funding from various community partners.
- Facilitated monthly staff, student, and family workshops.
- Assured pathway school partnerships are strategically collaborating to efficiently serve all students and families.
- Creative director and content manager for the school brand, website, and social media platforms.
- Oversaw internal operational functions school-wide.
- Recruited and marketed the STEM program through various grassroots initiatives.
- Leveraged various community stakeholders in efforts to promote and sustain the STEM theme.
- Facilitated presentations annually to Hartford district leaders, Intranet 101, and Social Media 101.
- Co-facilitated workshop at the Magnet Schools of America Conference in Miami, Building Your Brand.
Community & Program Specialist at S.A.N.D. School
Hartford Public Schools
Hartford, CT
03.2013 - 01.2015
- Coordinated and implemented various school programs to enhance overall school climate and culture; student mentoring, parent resume building workshops, Higher Ed Connection program, faculty activities.
- Created and edited faculty and family newsletter.
- Collaborated with community partners to organize after school programs.
- Organized and facilitated all PBIS reward programs; student of the year, month, week, Exchange Post.
- Updated student registration and attendance information into Power School.
- Launched school website and social media platforms.
Choice Office - Marketing & Application Specialist
Hartford Public Schools
Hartford, CT
10.2013 - 03.2014
- Attended community recruitment events, and provided technical assistance with the application process.
- Provided direct support for the implementation of the HPS District Choice Office's consumer engagement, recruitment, and marketing activities to inform Hartford families applying to the Hartford District and Magnet Schools.
- Assisted in on-site operations at the Regional School Choice Office recruitment fairs.
Jr. Account Manager Consultant
Bauza & Associates Marketing Agency
Hartford, CT
05.2012 - 01.2015
- Accounts managed- State Farm, Access Health, Girl Scouts of America, and CDC Quit Smoking Campaign.
- Negotiated with clients and solved problems to meet deadlines effectively.
- Launched and managed social media platforms with increased engagement over 300 percent.
- Conducted marketing research in Latino and African American market.
- Key spokespersons for Latinos United for Professional Advancement (LUPA) appearing on several local news and radio stations in addition to organizing professional networking events for key sponsor.
- Organized and executed grass root events based on clients’ needs.
Major-market Radio Station Intern
Clear Channel Communications
Hartford, CT
09.2011 - 01.2014
- Worked closely with lead station personalities, Renee DiNino and Joe Aguire from The River 105.9 FM and Ashley from KC 101 FM.
- Departmental liaison for organizing promotional campaigns corresponding with vendors and/or venue organizations regarding upcoming concerts or station promotional events.
- Organized set-ups, sound equipment, and display tables promoting the various stations.
- Production work included, voice track commercials, controlled electronic board for on air shows, assisting Radio Personalities with blogging and various radio content.
Education
Master’s Degree - Public Administration
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN12.2015
B.A. Degree - Communication-Public Relations, Economics
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT05.2013
Associates Degree - Liberal Arts
Gateway Community Technical College
New Haven, CT05.2009
Skills
- Community engagement
- Budget management
- Team leadership
- Strategic marketing
- Stakeholder collaboration
- Relationship building
- Public relations
Affiliations
Community & Board Leadership
Hartford Symphony Orchestra Advisory Committee - Member
2024 – Present
Black Giving Circle - Hartford Foundation for Public Giving -Member
2023 – Present
Hartford Yard Goats Community Board - Board Member
2019 – Present
City of Hartford LGBTQ+ Commission - Chair, Commissioner
2018 – Present
Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Inc. - Past National Vice President, Alumni Chapter Director or Community Development
2009 - Present
Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective - President, Board of Directors
2019 – 2025
Educational Resources for Children (Enfield, CT) - President, Board of Directors
2017 – 2025
City of Hartford LGBTQ+ Transition Committee (Mayor Arunan Arulampalam) - Co-Chair
2023 – 2024
Young Professionals, Urban League of Greater Hartford - Social & Cultural Co-Chair, Board of Directors
2018 – 2024
City of Hartford Department of Families and Children – Truancy Reduction Taskforce - Member
2019 – 2021
Julio Lozada Foundation, Inc. - Board Member
2015 – 2017
Accomplishments
- 2025 Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Educational Equity Advocate
- 2025 Educational Resources for Children (ERfC) Community Trailblazer Award
- 2022 Act With Courage CREC Core Value Award
- 2021 Quest Alum - Leadership Greater Hartford
- 2021 Hartford Business Journal 40 Under Forty Honoree
- 2021 Urban League of Greater Hartford Young Professionals Stewardship Award
- 2020 CREC Shining Star Award
Timeline
Managing Director – School Choice Division & Hartford Region Open Choice
Capital Region Education Council - CREC
05.2023 - Current
Program Manager- School Choice Division
Capital Region Education Council - CREC
09.2020 - 11.2023
Family Engagement Specialist, Hartford Region Open Choice Program
Capital Region Education Council - CREC
11.2018 - 09.2020
Program Assistant at Betances STEM Magnet School
Hartford Public Schools
03.2015 - 01.2018
Choice Office - Marketing & Application Specialist
Hartford Public Schools
10.2013 - 03.2014
Community & Program Specialist at S.A.N.D. School
Hartford Public Schools
03.2013 - 01.2015
Jr. Account Manager Consultant
Bauza & Associates Marketing Agency
05.2012 - 01.2015
Major-market Radio Station Intern
Clear Channel Communications
09.2011 - 01.2014
Residential Program Worker
Residential Management Services
07.2004 - Current
Master’s Degree - Public Administration
Walden University
B.A. Degree - Communication-Public Relations, Economics
Central Connecticut State University
Associates Degree - Liberal Arts
Gateway Community Technical College