A New Era of Leadership
By Stephanie Nguyen-Preciado
Fullerton College welcomes incoming President Cynthia Olivo
With nearly 30 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Cynthia Olivo became Fullerton College’s eleventh president and is joined by an all-female campus leadership team.
Prior to Fullerton College, President Olivo served as assistant superintendent/vice president of student services at Pasadena City College (PCC), which serves 23,000 students. In her roles at PCC, where she served for 15 years, President Olivo has also been the associate vice president of student affairs and associate dean of counseling.
Dr. Olivo believes so strongly in the mission of Fullerton College and the transformative power of higher education that she moved to Orange County to live in the community the college serves. “The student-centered approach of this college reflects my personal mission for working in community colleges,” she said. “I look forward to the strides we can make together for student equity and success.”
When Dr. Olivo joined Fullerton College, she ushered in a new era of leadership. This was the second time in the college’s history to be led by an all-female leadership team, which includes President Olivo, Faculty Senate President Jennifer Combs, Classified Senate President Nichole Crockrom, Associated Students President Chloe Serrano, and Student Trustee Paloma Foster. Through their leadership, they have continued to support the college through its efforts to improve student success, student equity, and student belonging.
“I am confident that she will provide excellent, inclusive, and student-focused leadership at Fullerton College,” said Chancellor Byron D. Clift Breland. “Not only is Dr. Olivo a proven leader who ‘walks the walk,’ she personally identifies with the challenges faced by our students and the broader Fullerton College and NOCCCD communities. Furthermore, she fully embraces the opportunity to provide transformational, as well as ethical, leadership so that all members of the community benefit and can subsequently reach their educational goals.”
Dr. Olivo was selected for the Aspen Presidential Fellows Program Class of 2017, as well as completed the Harvard Institute for Management & Leadership in Education and the American Council on Education Advancing to the Presidency.
Dr. Olivo is active at the local, state, and national level, serving as: president of the Chief Student Services Officer Association; president of the California Community College Organización de Latinx Guidance, Empowerment & Advocacy for Success (COLEGAS); and as a founding member of The Coalition, an organization including A2MEND and APAHE. Leveraging her vast higher education network, Dr. Olivo has elevated Fullerton College, shared her expertise at national conferences, and provided thought leadership on national panels, such as The Chronicle of Higher Education’s Sense of Belonging, Trust, and the Student Journey panel. She has also served on the Jobs for the Future Policy & Leadership Trust in Washington D.C. and on the Executive Board for National Community College Hispanic Council.
In Her Words
Leadership
Student Trustee Paloma Foster
“The willingness to be of service to others and the willingness to take on more responsibility. I consciously contribute to goals that benefit more than one person.”
Inspirational Advice
A.S. President Chloe Serrano
“I would advise female leaders to be unapologetically themselves. I would like to remind every aspiring female leader, that they do belong and that taking up space and being authentically themselves is setting a precedent for the next generation.”
Overcoming Challenges
Classified Senate President Nichole Crockrom
“One of my own personal barriers has been what is called Imposter Syndrome. I have overcome this by keeping a file on my success so that I could reflect on my achievements and push those self-doubts aside.”
Flourishing Together at Dr. Olivo’s First Convocation
President Cynthia Olivo delivered her first convocation address to Fullerton College faculty and staff and welcomed new additions to Spring Convocation 2023, including a land acknowledgment reading and a performance of the Black National Anthem – Lift Every Voice and Sing. The Fullerton College Concert Choir gave an inspiring performance of All Of Us by Craig Hella Johnson and directed by Nicola Dedmon.
Fullerton College alumnus Rafael Augustin was the keynote speaker and read a chapter of his memoir Illegally Yours, which highlights his immigrant experience in the United States. Augustin serves as CEO of the Latino Film Institute and was previously a writer on the award-winning The CW show Jane the Virgin.
Dr. Cynthia Olivo is joined here at her first Fullerton College Convocation by AS President Chloe Serrano, Program Coordinator of The Coalition Bradlee Johnson and alumnus Rafael Augustin.
As a former undocumented student, Augustin encouraged attendees to be vulnerable and help create a sense of family at the college. “Be a ‘yes person’ because dreams should not have borders,” explained Augustin.
President Olivo concluded the event by gifting attendees a pack of California Poppy seeds and encouraged attendees to plant the seeds as a symbol to mark an era of renewal. “There are people who planted seeds within me that blossomed over time,” she said. “Use this Convocation
to reset as an opportunity to flourish together.”