This was the setting in South Texas where Villarreal grew up in the 1930s to 1950s. His desire to learn English and the American culture were blocked by various obstacles, such as school attendance in the spring semester only and migrant work in lieu of a fall semester. The best route for success was a formal education, but many Hispanic students dropped out of school at the fourth or fifth grade. Villarreal, however, fought to surmount the odds and an internal lack of confidence in order to achieve the highest level of education possible.

Despite numerous struggles, frustrations, and animosities with others in education, Villarreal first graduated from elementary school at the age of 18 and high school at 22. He soon became an unprepared university student but proceeded to acquire a bachelor's degree in four years, followed by two master's degrees and a PhD. In the process he taught migrants and elementary, high school, community college, and university-level students. While at the University of Texas at El Paso, Villarreal became highly productive as a teacher, author, administrator, president of the University Graduate Council, Fulbright Scholar, and community activist. Ultimately, the efforts of his generation's entry into higher education brought greater integration between Anglos and Mexican Americans, better access to universities, greater graduation rates, and larger recognition and importance to the Mexican American community.