Enterprise Center 2205 Enterprise Drive, Suite 501 Westchester IL 60154
Maria E. Gutiérrez is a devoted advocate driven by one purpose: to empower Latino youth as the next generation of community leaders.
As a first-generation immigrant and college graduate, Maria's commitment to DEIA is not just professional- it is personal. She intimately understands the systemic barriers facing first-generation students and has dedicated her career to dismantling them through transparent communication, radical empathy, and family-centered advocacy.
At the heart of Maria's work is a steadfast devotion to Racial Healing. By facilitating culturally responsive healing circles, she creates brave spaces for families to navigate trauma and build collective resilience. Her leadership extends into the future of innovation, where she actively bridges the equity gap in STEM education, ensuring that marginalized youth see themselves as the scientists and engineers of tomorrow.
Maria's expertise in adult education allows her to transform the concept of "family engagement" into a reality of shared responsibility. Drawing on Epstein's frameworks, she has been instrumental in Juntos 4-H's success, equipping Latino families with evidence-based strategies to navigate educational systems and improve student outcomes. Her spearheading of resource-access initiatives throughout Cook County stands as a testament to her commitment to serving the underserved.
A compassionate leader and certified facilitator of the Real Colors Temperament Style Instrument, Maria E. Gutiérrez does not advocate for equity —she embodies it. Her career is a living example of steadfast dedication to a society where inclusivity is the standard, and every family has the resources to thrive.
Awards and Recognitions
- University of Illinois Extension, Inclusive Excellence-Team, 2025
- University of Illinois Extension, Inclusive Excellence-Team, 2023
- University of Illinois Extension, Team Excellence, 2023
- Collaborating with Potential Partners, 2001
- University of Illinois Extension, Innovative Programming, 2000
- University of Illinois Extension, Collaborative Partnership (FNP & 4-H), 2000,
- YMCA, Volunteer of the Year, 2000
- University of Illinois Extension, Face-to-Face Teaching, 1999
- Centro Juan Diego Comunitario, Teacher of the Year, 1999
Gutiérrez is affiliated with several professional associations, including Epsilon Sigma Phi and the National Society of Leadership and Success, where she received the National Engaged Leader Award in June 2017. Her memberships include the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development, the Latino Advisory Committee/Prairie View A & M Cooperative Extension Program, the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, the Chicago Public Schools Family & Community Engagement Network, the Illinois Digital Educators Alliance, and the Parent University & Engagement Center.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Sciences from National Louis University and holds two Master's degrees: Educational Leadership and Learning Sciences in Education, emphasizing Technology Instructional Design Coaching.