About

About

José Daniel Rubio-Zepeda (he/him/his) is a dedicated urban planner, scholar, and higher education practitioner rooted in the San Francisco Bay Area. Originally from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, José immigrated to the U.S. at a young age and has since committed his career to advancing social justice, equity, and community empowerment.

Guided by a servant leadership philosophy, José centers his work on uplifting historically marginalized communities—particularly within higher education. He focuses on the academic and financial retention of minoritized students, working at the intersection of migration, education, and civic engagement. His research examines the lived experiences of displaced and diasporic communities, exploring themes such as human rights, transnationalism, and the complex intersections of identity, including race, class, gender, and sexuality.

José brings a global perspective to local challenges. His work has taken him from studying Haitian and Dominican migration in Hispaniola to advocating for the African Diaspora in Central America and Latinx/e communities in the U.S. He has contributed to efforts in migration policy, community development, coalition building, and participatory planning—always centering collaboration, reciprocity, and inclusion.

As an activist scholar, José believes meaningful change begins with service. His leadership style is rooted in humility and shared responsibility, continually aiming to listen, learn, and lead alongside others in pursuit of collective and liberatory well-being.

José holds an M.S. in Community and Regional Planning and an M.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as a B.A. in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.

Outside of his professional life, José enjoys time with loved ones, running, dancing, yoga, cooking, and discovering new places—always staying grounded in joy, movement, and community.