USDA Science Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Meet Jose

National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 to October 15, is a time to celebrate the rich history, cultural diversity, and contributions from Hispanic communities. USDA's Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area is home to over 8,000 of the world's best and brightest minds in agricultural science, data, and innovation. This month, REE is spotlighting several brilliant colleagues who are pioneering change at USDA and within their communities.

Name: Jose D. Rincon Jr.
Title: Administrative Operations Specialist
Agency/Office: National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Briefly describe your job.
I provide administrative support to all NIFA employees such as help with securing travel reservations and reimbursements, procuring company IT equipment, and other tasks.

Tell us about your heritage & what it means to you.
I am first generation Mexican American with parents who hail from San Luis Potosi, Mexico and Monterrey, Mexico. The Latino heritage of hard work has been ingrained in me since my youth. It helped me in completing a successful military career of 21 years, and I now carry that heritage forward in supporting every NIFA employee. Always remembering that every inquiry is important to that individual and responding timely with professionalism and promptness.

How do you honor your heritage and culture at work?
I honor my heritage every chance I meet Spanish speaking employees. During conferences, I have supported Spanish speaking stakeholders, and it fills me with pride being able to speak to them in Spanish and witness their happiness.

How do you celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month?
Through the continuation of knowledge. I love to remind my kids that as Mexican Americans, we should take pride on both sides of history. As Mexicans, we take pride in the Battle of Chapultepec and the bravery of the young Mexican cadets known as "Los Ninos Heroes," who defended their castle. As a U.S. Marine, I also take pride in the fact that our non-commissioned officers earned their stripes from that battle.

Who is your National Hispanic Heritage Month Hero?
Singer and songwriter Juan Gabriel. As an artist, he composed so many songs for many Latino Artists. He compiled many collaborations with English speaking artists. Additionally, he helped in introducing the world to our Mexican heritage by incorporating Mariachi's. Most importantly, his music challenged societal gender norms and embraced LGBTQ+ groups in Mexico. Thus, giving that community a chance to be heard as human beings, which is a right everyone deserves.