At the time of her Sabbatical Award, Barbara Rodriguez-Rath had served as chief executive officer of The Arc of Anchorage for six years and had been part of the organization for nearly 17 years. The Arc helps those experiencing disabilities reach their potential, and she’s led the agency through accreditation, regulatory changes, the magnitude 7.1 earthquake and the pandemic.

She urges her staff and students to practice self-care and says it’s time to take her own advice. She hopes to rest and travel and plans to return ready to grow The Arc’s behavioral health programs.