Adrian is the proud son of Mexican immigrants. His parents began working in the agricultural workforce of the Salinas Valley in the late 70’s, with the hope of providing both he and his sister an opportunity to excel in life and academia.

Dr. Aquino is a proven nurse leader at the local, state, and national level, with over a decade in academia, including administration, she brings a wealth of knowledge, strong leadership experience, and innovative ideas to support a thriving environment for nursing students, faculty, and staff. Through her service on various boards she has helped elevate the nursing voice, advance the nursing profession, and impact health care in numerous ways. Dr. Aquino is currently the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing.