USC Rossier Associate Professor of Education Adrian Huerta reflects on his path, mentors and drive to disrupt educational systems through research and community impact.

By Kianoosh Hashemzadeh

On April 1, Associate Professor of Education Adrian H. Huerta was about to walk into the auditorium and speak to students at Bob Miller Middle School in Las Vegas when he received a call from USC Rossier Dean Pedro Noguera. This is a call he’d been waiting on for 15 years, and despite it being April Fool’s Day, this was no joke. Noguera called to share the news that he had earned tenure.

“I was smiling from ear to ear,” Huerta recalls. He was in a state of disbelief, gratefulness and excitement as he thanked Noguera and dialed his partner to share the news.

What came next was easy: Speaking to a group of Latino middle schoolers about the value of higher education through the story of his own journey. He spoke about the importance of resilience, seeking help when necessary, and taking pride in one's own racial identity while understanding the importance of developing relationships with those who are different from oneself.