Dr. Estela Mara Bensimon holds the prestigious title University Professor Emerita at the University of Southern California, awarded very selectively by the President based on multi-disciplinary interests and significant accomplishments in several disciplines. She founded the Center for Urban Education at USC, (merged with the USC Race+Equity Center on her retirement from USC in 2020),and in 2023, the Center was recognized with the Association for the Study of Higher Education Presidential Medal.

Dr. Bensimon now leads Bensimon & Associates, a consulting firm that provides services with a focus on racial equity to colleges, universities, and philanthropic organizations. Bensimon is an elected member of the National Academy of Education and a Fellow of the American Education Research Association.

In 2023, Bensimon received the Council for the Study of Community Colleges Inaugural Presidential Citation of Excellence. Since 2020, Bensimon was awarded the Stan Jones Legacy Award by Complete College America, ASHE’s Howard Bowen Award and the Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education which celebrates innovation, inspiration, and impact in education. She serves on the boards of the Campaign for College Opportunity and Complete College America.