Alumni Spotlight: Alumni Spotlight: Ediberto III Rodriguez De Jesus

Graduated 2019

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“Graceland has a lot of resources you can take advantage of—don’t be afraid to ask for help! From tutoring to the writing center, these tools are designed to help you succeed in the classroom and beyond.”
-Ediberto III Rodriguez De Jesus

Current Role:

Ediberto III Rodriguez De Jesus is excelling as an Audiologist, splitting his time between an ENT setting and a private practice in Puerto Rico. After graduating from Graceland, Ediberto pursued a Doctoral Degree in Audiology at A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona. He later completed his fourth-year externship at Jacksonville Hearing and Balance Institute in Florida, graduating with his doctorate in Spring 2023.

Throughout his doctoral studies, Ediberto earned several prestigious honors, including the James Case Student Clinical Award, presented annually to an outstanding graduate student in Arizona. He also received the Ground Rounds Case Presentation Award for his presentation on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and was named the Outstanding Student in Audiology at graduation.

Ediberto’s areas of expertise include auditory and vestibular diagnostics, tinnitus management, amplification, and auditory rehabilitation—skills he now applies to improve the lives of his patients..

Graceland Journey:

Ediberto graduated from Graceland University in Spring 2019 with a B.A. in Health. During his time at Graceland, he lived in Graybill dorms and later in Gunsolley upperclassmen dorms. Living on campus allowed him to stay connected to classmates and enjoy a sense of community.

Activities and Honors:

A dedicated student-athlete, Ediberto played on Graceland’s baseball team for all four years. He earned the Freeman Student-Athlete Award in 2018, recognizing his excellence both on the field and in the classroom.

Leadership and Inspiration:

Ediberto credits his baseball coach, Brady McKillip, for instilling discipline and a strong work ethic. Though demanding, Coach McKillip was also a source of support during challenging times. Coaches Loza and Cartwright played pivotal roles in helping Ediberto recognize his talent, leading to a successful senior season. Additionally, Diana Jones from the Intercultural Office provided unwavering guidance and support, making Ediberto’s journey at Graceland even more meaningful.

Life After Graceland:

Graceland’s diverse environment gave Ediberto the opportunity to grow personally by learning from various cultures. Being a student-athlete taught him crucial time management skills, which he now uses to maximize patient care and deliver patient-centered solutions.