Leadership

Leadership Philosophy

Rebeca's approach to HR leadership was forged outside a single industry — nearly six years directing HR for the Delegation of the Basque Government to the United States taught her how to build trust and get complex, multi-stakeholder projects done inside a small, high-stakes, cross-cultural organization, from diplomatic events at the United Nations to the day-to-day realities of an international workforce. She's carried those same instincts for calm, hands-on advocacy into every organization since.

Today, as the primary HR partner for the NanoScience Technology Center, Florida Space Institute, and Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida, she works directly with faculty, principal investigators, and university administration on everything from faculty affairs and postdoctoral appointments to the international scholar immigration matters — H-1B, O-1, and J-1 petitions among them — that keep global research talent moving. Her leadership style is collaborative and detail-driven: she sees HR's job as removing friction so researchers can focus on the work.

Professional Affiliations

CUPA-HR (College and University Professional Association for Human Resources) member. NCURA — National Council of University Research Administrators.

Community Involvement

PTA member, Hagerty High School, Oviedo, FL (2026 – Present). PTA member, Jackson Heights Middle School, Oviedo, FL (2024 – Present). Member, Oviedo Historical Society, Oviedo, FL (2025 – Present).

Rebeca Barrios walking through a research campus, reflecting her HR and global mobility leadership

Rebeca Barrios

Higher Education HR - STEM and Research Talent Operations - Oviedo, FL

(c) 2026 Rebeca Barrios. All rights reserved. · Site by Jose Barrios