She received her B.A. in Sociology from the University of California at Irvine and her Ed.M. and Ph.D. in Education Policy Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Rincón's research agenda is concerned with equity issues in higher education, with a specific focus on access and success for underrepresented and underserved students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and with support from the National Science Foundation, she has explored various factors impacting access to and persistence in STEM for women, low-income, first-generation and students of color including issues of climate, financial aid, and intervention programs.