Just in time: Student seeks patent for watch to help save lives

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Jocelyn Rodriguez wants to put her Springfield Technical Community College education to work to help others.

Rodriguez, who is studying business at STCC, has had her share of hardship in life, but she is determined to pursue her dreams and not make any excuses.

Rodriguez recalled waking up in the middle of the night shortly after going through a rough patch. Her father had just passed away. When she awoke, she had an idea for a business plan: Create a venture that would make a positive impact in the community she grew up in. Her goal is to help people with disabilities or other barriers find their passion.

Connected to her plan is an idea for a wrist watch that would help people facing any type of threats. Someone with the watch can use it if they are having a health episode like a heart attack. They could alert the hospital. The watch also could be used to alert authorities if the person is facing a threat of violence. Rodriguez said she is pursuing a patent for the watch.

“A couple of my friends were killed,” she said. “I want to help people when they’re surrounded by violence. They will be secure with the watch.”

Rodriguez said she has a provisional patent for the watch. She didn’t want to offer too many details about her idea, but she said, “I feel like this watch can save lives and bring more peace to the world in our day to day lives.”

Rodriguez grew up in Springfield in what she described as a rough neighborhood. She graduated from Central High School in 2006. While in high school, she was an all-varsity basketball player and recalls being selected athlete of the week. Her team won the Western Massachusetts Division I championship game. She enrolled at STCC in 2008.

But she left STCC after her grandmother died and then, as she explained, “went down the wrong path.” She struggled with her mental health and faced other challenges. Her mother died suddenly in 2015.

“I was in and out of crisis for years,” she said.

Rodriguez was determined to get her life back on track. She said her life turned a corner when her aunt introduced her to church. “It brought me back to being normal again, being calm,” she said.

I came back to STCC because I wanted to do more with myself. I wanted to learn about the business world, and interact with good people that could help me get out of the situation and position I was in. Jocelyn Rodriguez, STCC student

She said today her faith keeps her clean and sober and gives her a sense of purpose. She returned to STCC in 2022 to learn business skills.

“I want to build a business from the ground  up for the community to help kids and everyone with disabilities, or non-disabilities, to help them find their purpose and let them know they have help out there,” she said.

At STCC, Rodriguez has found a strong support network. She said she is grateful for the Center for Access Services, which has given her food and cleaning supplies. Rodriguez expressed thanks to CAS staff member Vicky Rios who has offered emotional support.

“She is a light that's shining brighter these days because of the trials and tribulations she's endured and overcome to get her on her path to success,” said Rios, a student advocate at CAS. “I'm so proud to have been able to watch her grow and fight to accomplish her dreams of becoming a successful entrepreneur."

Rodriguez is a proud member of the BLOOM Bridge program at STCC (BLOOM stands for Business Leaders Owning Opportunity Matters). The program, which offers free business courses, is open to female-identifying underrepresented students from low-income households.

BLOOM students are enrolled in the Female Leadership and Mentoring Program (Lead) at STCC to enhance their academic and career success.

STCC’s vast support network for students like Rodriguez also includes TRIO Student Support Services, which assists students in adjusting to the college environment and helps prepare them to transition either into a four-year college after STCC or a career.

“There are a lot of good, beneficial programs,” Rodriguez said. “I came back to STCC because I wanted to do more with myself. I wanted to learn about the business world, and interact with good people that could help me get out of the situation and position I was in. I needed a support system, and found one at STCC.

“It’s been awesome. People are generous. They ask if I need anything,” she said. “They will be there for you as if they are part of your family.”

Vice President of Student Affairs Darcey Kemp said STCC’s mission is to help support all students and remove barriers.

“STCC is proud to support students like Jocelyn as they strive to achieve their academic and personal goals,” Kemp said. “We have excellent faculty and academic programs. We're committed to offering a host of services that support our students in and out of the classroom. Jocelyn Rodriguez’s story reflects how STCC collaboratively strives to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students.”

Business Professor Diane Sabato said she is proud of Rodriguez, or “JR” as she calls her.

"I am excited to see the progress JR has made in developing her plans to launch a business built on her innovation. I have every confidence that she will employ the tenacity and heart that she has shown in her life as she plans and builds her successful venture," Sabato said.

Rodriguez said she likes to think of something Professor Sabato told her when the going gets tough. “Superhero pose,” she said, placing her hands on her hips.

After struggling for years and facing setbacks, she said she doesn’t want to make any excuses for not pursuing her goals. Her email signature includes “innovator” under her name.

“I am still going toward my dreams no matter what obstacles come my way,” she said. “Don’t let anything stop you. Keep going, because there are always going to be tragedies in your life. Keep going and keep pushing forward with positivity.”

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

• See All News