Enterprise Center 2205 Enterprise Drive, Suite 501 Westchester IL 60154
Maria E. Gutiérrez is a devoted advocate driven by one purpose: to empower youth as the next generation of community leaders and STEM innovators.
As a first-generation immigrant and college graduate, Maria leverages radical empathy and family-centered advocacy to dismantle the systemic barriers facing first-generation students.
At the heart of Maria's work is a steadfast commitment to culturally responsive engagement and holistic family development. By facilitating identity-affirming dialogues, she creates brave spaces where families can process lived experiences, celebrate cultural pride, and build collective resilience. Her leadership is equally rooted in the future - championing young innovators by bridging gaps in STEM education and cultivating opportunities that inspire curiosity, confidence, and career readiness to marginalized youth.
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 the success of the Juntos 4-H program, equipping Latino families with evidence-based strategies to navigate educational systems and champion their children's futures. Her leadership in spearheading resource-access initiatives across Cook County stands as a testament to her dedication to marginalized communities.
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, where every family can thrive.
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.