Olga R. Rodriguez grew up in Zacatecas, Mexico and in Los Angeles. She attended the University of Southern California and in 1996 graduated with honors with a degree in International Relations. She received a MA in Latin American Studies and a Masters in Journalism from the University of California in Berkeley in 2003.

At UC Berkeley, she specialized in print journalism and documentary film production. She produced, directed and edited Oaxacan Hoops, a half-hour documentary about indigenous Mexicans living in Los Angeles and their obsession with basketball.

She has reported from Cuba, México and Venezuela and has interned and worked for the Associated Press in San Francisco, and also interned with the Los Angeles Times. She is currently working for the Associated Press in Mexico where she covers the U.S./Mexico border.