President Barack Obama named two Latinas for two key administration posts, which do not require congressional approval.

The first appointment is Dr. Nancy Rodriguez for the role of director at Department of Justice's National Institute of Justice. According to the White House, Rodriguez is a professor at Arizona State University's (ASU) School of Criminology and Criminal Justice since 2012. She has been a faculty member at ASU since 1998 and recently completed her tenure as associate dean for ASU's Student Engagement in the College of Public Programs.

"Dr. Rodriguez has proven herself a first-rate criminologist whose research tackles the most challenging problems facing our communities," ASU's College of Public Programs Dean Jonathan Koppell said in a statement to Latin Post. "Her appointment to be the next director of the National Institute of Justice is entirely fitting, reflecting her record of high-quality empirical research that that advances solutions to challenges in the criminal justice arena. We are enormously proud of her nomination as Nancy's terrific work is a reflection of our desire as a University to serve the public interest."

Obama also appointed Victoria A. Espinel to be a member for the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations. Espinel has been president and CEO of BSA | The Software Alliance since last year. On a federal level, Espinel was the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement coordinator in the Office of Management and Budget from 2009 to 2013. Espinel previously served as assistant U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and led the USTR Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation until 2007.

Espinel serves as chair of the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on the Future of IT Software and Services. She also taught intellectual property and international trade as a visiting professor for George Mason University School of Law.

The appointments do not require the advice or consent of the U.S. Senate. Obama also appointed Deborah Phillips and Judith Singer to be board of director members of the National Board for Education Sciences.

The president also issued nominations, which will require approval of the Senate. The nominations include Michelle Lee for under secretary for the Intellectual Property and director of the U.S. patent and trademark office for the Department of Commerce and Dava Newman for deputy director for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA.

"I am confident that these outstanding men and women will serve the American people well, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come," Obama said in regards to the six individuals nominated and appointed.