Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Candi Huizar, a Shining Example of Equity & Compassion

As the daughter of Mexican immigrants, Candi Huizar, KCSOS’s director of equity and inclusion, grew up witnessing her family’s resilience and determination to pursue the American dream. Arriving in the U.S. at the age of two, Huizar’s family of ten initially faced the challenges many immigrant families do — language barriers, poverty, and the struggle to adapt to a new life.

Forty years later, Huizar reflects on the milestone her family has reached: eight siblings, all college graduates, three with master’s degrees, and Huizar herself working toward her doctorate. These experiences, combined with the sacrifices of her parents, have fueled her passion for ensuring equitable access for all students and families in Kern County.

Humble Beginnings

Like many immigrants, Huizar’s parents came to the U.S. seeking better opportunities for their children.

“We were incredibly poor,” Huizar said. “We lived in a two-bedroom apartment with ten people. My dad worked as a farm worker, and my mom started in the fields before moving to a job at a local Mexican restaurant.”

But despite the difficulties, Huizar’s parents had a clear vision for their children’s future.

“Their dream wasn’t just for a better life — it was for us to be educated,” Huizar explained. “They only had about a second-grade education themselves. They came from a rural area in Mexico that didn’t even have running water or electricity in 1984. But they believed that education would be our path to a better future.”

Huizar recalls her parents’ tireless work ethic and the sacrifices they made along the way. Despite the hardships, humor often played a big role in her family’s life. 

“When you grow up poor, you learn to laugh at the little things,” Huizar said.

Specifically, Huizar recalls the time her older brother decided to document her family’s history with a professional video crew. As they watched the final cut together, Huizar and her son watched her brother talk about working in the fields at ten years old. 

“My son looks over at me with wide eyes and says, ‘Mom, there’s no way I could do that!’ And he’s right!” she said, laughing.

Even though Huizar was one of the younger siblings and didn’t work in the fields, she had her own responsibilities as her parents’ translator. She would frequently make phone calls, schedule doctor’s appointments, and even negotiate with bill collectors. She remembers thinking that aspect of her young life was normal. 

“Looking back, it shaped my ability to advocate for others — skills I use every day in my role now,” said Huizar.

Breaking Barriers

As the director of equity and inclusion at KCSOS, Huizar is passionate about helping others who have similar stories to hers. 

“It’s incredibly important to me that students and families who are living in poverty or dealing with language barriers feel supported. I know what it’s like to be in that family,” she said. “I remember being the family that other families adopted during the holidays, receiving baskets from strangers. That’s not my reality anymore, but it’s the reality for so many families today. I want to advocate for them.”

The most humbling part of her journey was the recent celebration of the family’s 40 year anniversary of arriving to the U.S. Although both of her parents have passed away, and reflecting on their sacrifices brings up emotions, she knows they are still proud of how far the entire family has come. 

As Huizar leads the charge for equity at KCSOS, she does so with the values instilled in her by her parents.

“I always tell people that education changed the trajectory of my family’s life. That’s why I’m so passionate about what I do. I want every student, every family, to have the same opportunities we had,” she said.

For Huizar, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is about more than just recognizing culture — it’s about honoring the sacrifices of the past and building a brighter future for all.

“When I think about how far we’ve come, it’s overwhelming,” Huizar said. “But it’s also inspiring. I want every student to know that they can do it too, just like we did.”