Maria Gutierrez Ott

Maria Gutierrez Ott is a Clinical Professor and holds the Irving R. and Virginia A. Melbo Chair in Education Administration at the Rossier School of Education, University of Southern California. With over four decades of experience in K-12 urban education systems, including 14 years as a superintendent, she transitioned to higher education to mentor future leaders in education, business, and public organizations.

Her research and advocacy focus on cultural proficiency, equity in education, bilingual education, and leadership development. She co-authored A Culturally Proficient Society Begins in School (2011) and Now What? (2023), which emphasize systemic inequities and the role of education in addressing them. Her work also extends to public-private collaborations and advancing equity for marginalized communities.

• ALAS Lifetime Achievement Award (2021)
• USC Rossier DSAG Achievement Award (2017)
• National Annenberg Superintendent Fellow (1996–2000)
• Hispanic Woman of the Year Award (2003)
• Distinguished Alumni Award (Mount St. Mary’s College, 2005)

Maria Ott founded the USC Rossier Urban Superintendents Academy (2015) with AASA to train equity-focused leaders for K-12 systems. She serves on the ALAS Board of Directors and co-founded CALSA, advocating for diverse leadership to address opportunity gaps for Latino and youth of color.