Whether speaking Burmese in Myanmar, planning a summit in Peru, or studying German literature as an undergraduate, Hiram Rios Hernandez has always seen language and culture as tools for connection. A 51吃瓜网 College of Arts and Sciences and Judy Genshaft Honors College alum, and a recipient of the 2025 USF Outstanding Young Alumni Award, Rios Hernandez now serves as a Foreign Service officer with the U.S. Department of State 鈥� and he鈥檚 just getting started.
Currently working as an international relations officer at the U.S. Embassy in Lima, Peru, Rios Hernandez promotes U.S. interests through diplomacy and cultural exchange, supports U.S. economic goals, and develops international policies and programs. Proficient in four languages and continually learning more, he is an avid language scholar who enjoys experiencing new cultures, connecting with people around the world, and making an impact wherever he goes.
While at USF, Rios Hernandez majored in economics and international relations before going on to earn a master鈥檚 degree in public policy and international and global affairs from Harvard Kennedy School. Some of his notable achievements as a USF student include receiving the university鈥檚 first Student Employee of the Year Award in 2013 for his work at the Office of National Scholars and New Student Connections as a peer advisor leader, becoming a Stuart Silverman Endowed Scholar, and winning multiple nationally competitive scholarships.
Cultural Exploration and Transformation
Rios Hernandez moved to Tampa from Puerto Rico with his family as a child. Raised in an English-speaking school system, he quickly became bilingual and often served as a primary translator for his Spanish-speaking relatives.
In high school, he was recognized for his musical talent as a concert violinist and was invited to perform during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. He played at the Forbidden City Concert Hall and at the Great Wall, an experience that profoundly shaped his worldview. When he enrolled at USF, he was determined to study abroad again 鈥� and for him, learning new languages was the key.
Through the Honors College, Rios Hernandez participated in the Germany Beyond the Classroom study abroad program. While the course focused on German literature, it was the self-discovery and friendships he developed along the way that made the greatest impact.
鈥淪ometimes it doesn鈥檛 matter what the subject is for the program 鈥� really, it鈥檚 about allowing yourself to enter a space of discomfort and putting yourself in new experiences,鈥� said Rios Hernandez. 鈥淪ome of those friends I met in Germany I still keep in touch with, and they have visited me where I鈥檝e worked all over the world.鈥�
While at USF, he received four nationally competitive awards: the Gilman Scholarship, Boren Award, Critical Language Scholarship, and Pickering Fellowship. Though he initially doubted his chances, Rios Hernandez credits the Office of National Scholars with helping him believe in himself and shape an effective application strategy.
鈥淔or all these scholarships, you have to treat them almost like a class 鈥� you have to put in the same amount of time and effort,鈥� said Rios Hernandez. 鈥淎nd it was really about figuring out what is my theme song? What is my narrative? My first scholarship taught me to write an effective personal statement, you have to know who you are.鈥�
Connecting Worlds through Language
Rios Hernandez鈥檚 passion for languages has fueled his career. From studying Mandarin at USF to learning Burmese in Washington, D.C., each language has enabled him to expand his diplomatic reach.
鈥淟anguage is key,鈥� said Rios Hernandez. 鈥淚f you want to understand another culture and be effective working there, you have to speak the language. But not just translating what you want to say in English to Mandarin or to Burmese 鈥� it鈥檚 really about understanding what the right thing to say is in the situation, the context.鈥�
Cultural awareness and respect are also central to his work as a Foreign Service officer.
鈥淪ome of the most important work that we鈥檙e doing is not just to safeguard and advance U.S. interests, but also to uphold our values of democracy, liberty, and freedom of speech and information,鈥� said Rios Hernandez.
"It doesn鈥檛 matter what the subject is for the program 鈥� really, it鈥檚 about allowing yourself to enter a space of discomfort and putting yourself in new experiences." 鈥� Hiram Rios Hernandez
In his current regional role, he covers economic issues in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, and Suriname. One of his most recent achievements involved organizing the inaugural Artificial Intelligence Summit in Lima.
鈥淲e brought together 14 experts from seven different countries, like the head of OpenAI for Latin America, heads of Amazon Web Services, Google, Microsoft 鈥� they all came together for this two-day summit,鈥� said Rios Hernandez. 鈥淚 felt this event brought together all my skills from being the deputy spokesperson in Burma to being an economic officer in Lima. I'm doing interviews in Spanish, in English, managing high-level speakers 鈥� I think it really was a testament of how far I鈥檝e come in the Foreign Service.鈥�
From USF to the Global Stage
Rios Hernandez encourages students interested in international relations or improving their communication skills to pursue leadership opportunities on campus. His own experience as vice president of USF Ambassadors helped him build skills that he uses daily as a diplomat.
鈥淚 felt completely prepared to be a U.S. diplomat because as a USF Ambassador, you鈥檙e at all sorts of events with donors, media, and the who鈥檚 who of Tampa Bay and beyond. It teaches you poise 鈥� it teaches you how to move, how to speak truth to power, and how to be comfortable in some of these anxiety-inducing spaces.鈥�
On the horizon, Rios Hernandez plans to relocate to Bangkok, Thailand, where he will oversee regional affairs for Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Thailand. He is eager to embrace the challenge of a new environment.
鈥淏eing from Puerto Rico, I鈥檝e always felt very comfortable in Latin America, but I think going out of your comfort zone is how you grow and challenge yourself to get to the next step,鈥� said Rios Hernandez. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to go back to East Asia, go to a new country, learn a new language, and go on a new adventure.鈥�