A lifelong trailblazer, Estela Mara Bensimon has transformed higher education through her
tireless efforts to address racial inequity among marginalized groups. As the founding director of
USC’s Center for Urban Education, she created a groundbreaking methodology to identify and
eliminate educational barriers for Latinx, African American, and other students of color. Her
scholarship and advocacy have shifted the national conversation from access to accountability
when discussing how to improve educational outcomes.
Professor Bensimon’s research and leadership have consistently advanced USC’s initiatives to
nurture a culture of respect, dignity, and fairness. She has contributed to the reshaping of
institutional policies and helped our Trojan community strengthen its values by putting them into
practice. Her influence extends beyond academia through policy advisement, community
engagement, and collaborations with institutions that employ her strategies to foster best
practices.
Professor Bensimon is held in great esteem by her colleagues and peers. She is a member of the
National Academy of Education and a fellow of the American Educational Research
Association, and was appointed to the boards of the Campaign for College Opportunity and
Complete College America. She is also the recipient of the prestigious Harold W. McGraw Jr.
Prize in Education, which celebrates innovation, inspiration, and impact in education. Her
mentorship of emerging leaders further reflects her unwavering commitment to creating world-
class educational environments.
Professor Bensimon’s work continues to help us reimagine the culture of higher education. By
transforming access and opportunity across so many classrooms and campuses, she has made a
lasting difference at USC and beyond.