When Irene M. (Rodríguez) Zoppi Ph.D. ’04 was promoted to brigadier general in August 2017, it marked the first time a Puerto Rican woman held the rank of general in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Nobody can accuse her of underachieving. Nicknamed Ramba, after the fictional character Rambo, Zoppi speaks five languages and holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, her Ph.D. in education policy, planning and administration from the University of Maryland. Her dissertation focused on Latina women leaders in the military.
Zoppi has taught in public schools and at the university level and was a member of the Maryland State Board of Education, where she specialized in helping military families and students of color. Since December 2022, she’s served in a civilian capacity in cybersecurity, among other roles, for the National Security Agency at Fort Meade. Zoppi’s various roles have unique challenges and rewards.
“The military reserve demands discipline, adaptability and readiness for service,” she said. “In the civilian career, one can make a difference through innovation, leadership and community impact. The resilience and dedication required to excel in these dual careers form a unique and impactful career path that offers both personal growth and the opportunity to serve one’s country and community simultaneously.”
She was heavily influenced by her time at Maryland and the values of the College of Education, where she adopted this mantra: “Teaching, leading and serving with passion, purpose and promise.”
Zoppi’s dreams of military service had early beginnings. Both of her parents served in the Navy and, visiting various installations as a child, she came to appreciate discipline and base camaraderie. She served in the Middle East during the Persian Gulf War, leaving active duty in 1995 to join the U.S. Army Reserve as a captain.
Through it all, she’s prioritized self-care to avoid burnout. “This involves setting boundaries, scheduling regular breaks and engaging in activities that promote mental and physical well-being,” Zoppi said. “Effective time management, delegation and open communication with colleagues and superiors can also contribute to a sustainable work-life balance.”
Now retired from the military, Zoppi hopes to work with the United Nations and various nongovernmental organizations in peacekeeping efforts around the globe in the future. She is also considering writing a curriculum for peace education programs in middle and high schools, an idea she got from Jing Lin, her professor of international education policy in the College of Education.
“If I can use my experiences to help others and support them, then I want to do that,” Zoppi said.
This story is adapted from an article that first appeared on the UMD Alumni Association's website.
