When Jazmin Argueta-Rivera reflects on her parents’ journey immigrating to the United States, she sees both resilience and sacrifice. Their story of hard work, persistence and hope shapes her path as a Ph.D. student in industrial-organizational psychology at Rice University.
“My parents’ immigrant experience is what motivates me to study the challenges workers face,” Argueta-Rivera said. “Their journey reminds me of how important it is to create opportunities where everyone, no matter their background, can succeed.”
Argueta-Rivera, who earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and her master’s in industrial-organizational psychology from Rice, researches how workplace practices affect individuals from marginalized backgrounds, including women and men of color and immigrants. She studies how interpersonal discrimination, job insecurity, and inclusive workplace practices shape career opportunities and affect worker well-being.
“At the heart of my work is a desire to create more inclusive and equitable workplaces where everyone can thrive,” she said.
Her commitment to inclusion extends beyond research. She has served as president of Latinx Grads. This graduate student organization promotes LatinX culture among graduate students. She currently serves as vice president of equity and inclusion for the Graduate Student Association.
“These leadership positions have allowed me to meet many graduate students outside of my department and create change on campus,” she said.
As the nation celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, Argueta-Rivera said she sees her research, leadership and heritage as profoundly interconnected.
“As a Latina researcher, Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for me to honor my community’s resilience and contributions, while also recognizing the challenges many of us face in the workplace,” she said. “It’s a reminder of why I do this work, because representation, belonging and fairness matter.”