Spring 2022 Congressional Interns
JOSE S. SILVA JR.
Current Position/Organization
CHCI-Airbnb Intern
Hometown: McAllen, Texas
School: Texas State University
Major: Applied Sociology
Placement: The Office of Rep. Vicente Gonzalez
Jose was born and raised in McAllen, Texas, a city in the Rio Grande Valley, the southernmost region of Texas. Like many immigrant families in the U.S., his family made a living as migrant workers who traveled all over the U.S. picking fruits and vegetables. His family’s hard work and his bicultural upbringing in the Valley instilled in Jose a thirst for knowledge and being of service to others.
Jose is currently a Senior at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX where he is majoring in Applied Sociology and minoring in Latino/a studies and Honors. In his time at TXST University, Jose has been involved with The Terry Scholars, Lambda Omega Alpha Catholic Service Fraternity where he served as president, and The Sociology Club where he served as the co-president. One of his research projects, focusing on the Latinx immigrant experience, was published in the TXST Undergraduate Research Journal in the Spring of 2021. He has also recently finished a year-long research project dealing with creative problem-solving in Latinx communities for his Honors Thesis. Jose is a PPIA JSI alumnus and has aspirations of one day being a voice for marginalized communities like his own in the policy-making process.
As a CHCI Intern, Jose wants to get a better understanding of the legislative process and learn from accomplished Latinx leaders on Capitol Hill. With hopes that this experience will help him be a better advocate for the Latinx community of South Texas and across the Nation.
