Dear Hornet Familia,
We have officially made it to grad season – the most exciting time of year. Along with celebrations, we also have finals, grading and prepping for our new students, so I know it can also be stressful. The success of our students is our “why,” so I encourage you to look back on your achievements this academic year and celebrate them! For some of you, celebrating your hard work may include connecting with friends and family, while for others, it may look like recharging with self-care and a hobby. Regardless, this is a great time to prepare for FC’s end-of-year celebrations with a reflective lens – hopefully the celebrations help you recharge with hope for our future.
With each and every passing day, commencement gets closer. Our campus is still in need of volunteers for our 111th Commencement Ceremony at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 30 at Sherbeck Field. Your contributions as a volunteer will truly make a difference. Volunteers can expect to assist with setup, cleanup and supporting our graduating familias. Breakfast for volunteers will also be provided. If you are interested in volunteering for commencement, please sign up on our Volunteer Sign-Up Form today.
We are also in need of volunteers for our inaugural Latine Graduation from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, May 22 in the North Gym. The first recognition ceremony of its kind, this celebration honors our Latine students, their families and their culture. If you are available, please sign up to volunteer for the event. Your time and efforts would be truly appreciated.
The end of an academic year is always an inspiring time because we get to recognize our hardworking Hornet employees. At our last board meeting, I had the honor of congratulating our newly tenured faculty for meeting this exciting milestone. Our tenured faculty are Edward Kim, Dr. Anita Juárez and Amber Tsung Ju Kuo.
Last week, I also had the privilege of attending the 2026 Spring Classified Luau sessions and had an absolute blast connecting with colleagues and honoring the hard work of our nominated recipients. Let’s congratulate our Spring 2026 Classified Recognition Awardees, Nitzya Hamblet and Stephen Williams. I truly thank Nitzya and Stephen for all they do for our college. This award truly represents the love we have for our colleagues beyond the work they do.
And finally, I am excited to amplify the news of Dean Carlos Ayon being named our 2026 North Star Awardee. The North Star Award is a district-wide accolade commemorating those who have made significant contributions to our District’s mission, vision and values. With inclusion and equity at the center of his leadership style, Carlos has served students and staff at incredible capacities.
As we prepare for the end of our academic year, let’s continue to honor and uplift one another the way we do with our students. I can’t wait to celebrate with you at our end of the year events, cultural graduation celebrations and commencement.
This year at commencement, we will honor Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk Silva as our Alumni of the Year. As she approaches her final term as a state representative, it is the opportune time to ensure we demonstrate our Hornet familia love and gratitude for her over 45+ years of public service! She was a schoolteacher here in Fullerton, City Council Member, Mayor of Fullerton and Assemblywoman – what an amazing Hornet!
With gratitude,
Dr. Cynthia Olivo
Fullerton College