Rodney earned his B.S. (Political Science) and M.A. (Geography) from East Carolina University and has 20 years of experience in higher education, having held various teaching and administrative positions at community colleges and universities during his career. He currently serves as the Dean of the Caswell Campus at Piedmont Community College. A geographer by training, Rodney is a Certified GIS Professional (GISP), is currently researching the post-secondary preparation of students for the geospatial workforce, and works as an Assistant Director at The National Geospatial Technology Center. Rodney retired in 2017 from the United States Army Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Engineer Corps. He has been married for 28 years to Mary Susan Jackson, is tolerated by their cat (Tabitha) and revered by their dog (Bia).