By day, Jacinta Flores’ logical left brain is shining brightly in a world of numbers and analytics. Off the clock, her emotional right brain lights up as she expresses her creativity and love for the entire Texas A&M University-San Antonio family.

            Jacinta’s professional career began several years before she enrolled at A&M-San Antonio. She was an accounting assistant at FBD LP, a local company that makes and distributes frozen beverage dispensers to clients like Coca Cola, Taco Bell, Target and just about anywhere that iced and carbonated beverages are sold. While completing her B.B.A in business administration at A&M-San Antonio, she was promoted to executive financial analyst. In 2018, Jacinta returned to the University and earned her Master of Professional Accounting. She was promoted again to the position of Cost Accountant II. For an international company that is expanding into Asia, that entails a variety of heavy-duty accounting.  Recently, Jacinta has accepted an Accountant II position with H-E-B corporate office in the Manufacturing, Transportation and Warehousing division, which she started in late September.  She is excited about the impact that H-E-B is going to have on her, as well as the impact she is going to have on H-E-B.

             A happy counterbalance to all those numbers and reports is Jacinta’s delight in supporting A&M-San Antonio families and students. She accomplishes this under the umbrella of the A&M-San Antonio Family Association, which she co-founded in 2020 with the goal of bridging the gap between home and school to help students—many of whom are first-generation—succeed. The organization was inspired by the 2019 cohort that had taken the Family First Seminar, a course offered by the Office of Family Engagement. Since taking on the role of secretary/treasurer—she’s currently in her third term—she has established traditions that serve students. She also organizes events, serves the University in recruitment efforts, and functions as a major resource for families. Under the aegis of the Family Association, she established the Adopt-a-Student program. She also initiated hosting Loteria during Welcome Week for students and their families and volunteered to take in FATE (Fostering Assistance, Transitions, & Education) students during the holiday season. Utterly indefatigable in her passion, Jacinta’s favorite project is the Student Angel Program, which she initiated when the Covid pandemic occurred.  Recognizing the financial hit that devastated many families, she was determined there would still be a Christmas for those in need.  Open to any student, the program asks students who sign up to provide a Christmas wish list. Jacinta seeks sponsors who help fulfill those wishes and the Family Association provides the wrapping paper and supplies they need for the event.  Jacinta reports that “on Distribution Day, the students are about as giddy as small children…and the gratitude expressed by the recipients is unbelievably overwhelming.”  The program benefitted 34 students during 2020 and grew to include 52 students in 2021. Jacinta hopes to double that number this year. 

As a devoted alumna, the proud mother of 3, one of which is a current Jaguar in her senior year, and a dedicated supporter of A&M-San Antonio students and families, Jacinta continues to find ways to provide support and opportunities in meaningful ways.  As a University staff member expressed it, “Jacinta is tied to the University academically, in service, in motherhood, and in heart.”  That, indeed, is the Jaguar Spirit!