Dr. Juan Carlos Huerta Named Texas A&M System Regents Professor

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – After three decades of shaping minds at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, political science professor Dr. Juan Carlos Huerta has been named a Texas A&M University System Regents Professor, the system’s highest faculty honor recognizing exemplary contributions to teaching, research, and service. Huerta was awarded the honor for the 2023-2024 fiscal year and the Island University will hold a campus celebration in April to recognize the award.

“I am very deeply honored to be named a Regents Professor,” Huerta said. “There are so many excellent faculty here that this brings a feeling of accomplishment and pride.”

Huerta, who joined the Island University in 1995, is celebrating his 30th year of service to TAMU-CC. Among his proudest achievements at the university was his work with the university’s nationally recognized First-Year Learning Communities Program.

“Dr. Huerta is passionate about what he does as a teacher, researcher, and a community member,” said Dr. Kyoko Amano, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “He cares about students tremendously, particularly first-year students, first-generation students, and students from underserved communities, as he understands their challenges.”

Huerta is seen as a leader nationally in advocating for teaching and learning in higher education. In 2015, he helped start the National Learning Communities Association (NLCA) and served as the NLCA’s first president. He’s also served as Vice President of the American Political Science Association (APSA) and President of the Southwestern Political Science Association. The Political Science Education Section of the APSA honored Huerta with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.  Locally, Huerta has won the Amigos de la Isla Award and has been nominated for Digital Innovator of the Year and Excellence in Service.

Huerta’s primary research interests include public opinion, Texas politics, and Latino politics. He’s co-authored the last several editions of “Practicing Texas Politics,” a popular textbook used at colleges and universities state-wide. Huerta has also written several book chapters and journal articles. His classes are popular among political science majors and non-majors alike.

“Dr. Huerta genuinely cares about his students and wants to see us succeed,” said Alyssa Villegas ’25, a senior political science major who is currently in her third class with Huerta. “He is passionate about what he teaches and connecting with students, and that’s what makes a great professor.”

The impact of Huerta’s work extends beyond the Island University. He is currently involved in grant-funded research on Latino identity in political science, a topic he has been at the forefront of since his earliest days in education.

“When I first got into political science, Latino politics was often dismissed as not being very important,” Huerta said. “I found that infuriating. That’s what motivated me to start trying to understand what motivates Latinos when it comes to party affiliation and what’s motivating Latinos in terms of their attitudes about public policy.”

Huerta’s deep passion for Latino politics makes his recognition as the first Latino from TAMU-CC to be named Regents Professor especially meaningful.

“We are a Hispanic Serving Institution,” Huerta said. “I take a lot of pride in being the first. I’m thankful for those who came before me because I didn’t do this alone.”

At TAMU-CC, like other universities across the country, students possess immense potential but some face barriers that hinder their success. Recognizing this, Huerta said he strives to create an environment where students feel seen, encouraged, and empowered. Huerta believes that providing an extra bit of guidance can make all the difference in unlocking a student’s true potential.

“There are so many students here who are bright young people who just haven’t had an opportunity yet to really succeed,” Huerta said. “They need that little extra bit of encouragement, that extra reaching out. I think that’s something that the university supports that I’m very dedicated to and committed to.”