Letter from Presidenta Olivo
Morning, Fullerton College family!
My name is Dr. Cynthia Olivo, and I have the great honor of serving as the President of Fullerton College, the first community college in California, a place that has been a pillar of support and opportunity for our community since 1913.
As a third-generation Chicana, I carry with me the strength and resilience of my ancestors. My grandparents were farmworkers born in the United States, yet they were forced to attend segregated schools here in Southern California. My mother, a proud daughter of this land, raised me with the values of hard work, education, and the unwavering belief that knowledge is power. My great-grandparents came from Guanajuato and Saltillo, bringing with them traditions that still shape who I am today.
Being Chicana means more than just heritage it means understanding our culture, our history, and our political landscape. But most importantly, it means standing up, advocating, and leading to create a more just and inclusive society.
At Fullerton College, we believe that education is not about leaving behind who you are it’s about embracing your identity and using it as a source of strength. You don’t have to change to succeed here. You belong exactly as you are. Here at FC, we welcome you, celebrate you, and stand with you 100% like family.
Together, let’s continue the legacy of learning, growth, and empowerment!
¡Buenos días!, familia de Fullerton College!
Mi nombre es Doctora Cynthia Olivo y tengo el gran honor de servir como Presidenta de Fullerton College, el primer colegio comunitario en California, un lugar que ha sido un pilar de apoyo y oportunidad para nuestra comunidad desde 1913.
Como Chicana de tercera generación , llevo conmigo la fortaleza y resiliencia de mis antepasados. Mis abuelos fueron campesinos nacidos en los Estados Unidos, pero aun asi fueron obligados a asistir a escuelas segregadas aquí en el sur de California. Mi madre, una orgullosa hija de esta tierra, me crio con los valores del trabajo duro, la educación y la firme creencia de que el conocimiento es poder. Mis bisabuelos eran de Guanajuato y de Saltillo, Coahuila, y trajeron consigo tradiciones que aún hoy dan forma a quien soy.
Ser Chicana significa más que solo herencia, significa comprender nuestra cultura, nuestra historia y nuestra realidad política. Pero, sobre todo, significa alzar la voz, abogar y liderar para crear una sociedad más justa e inclusiva.
En Fullerton College, creemos que la educación no se trata de dejar atras quien eres, sino de abrazar tu identidad y usarla como una fuente de fortaleza. No tienes que cambiar para triunfar aqui. Perteneces exactamente tal como eres. Aquí en FC, te recibimos, te celebramos y estamos contigo 100% como familia.
Juntos, sigamos con el legado de aprendizaje, crecimiento y empoderamiento.
Learn About Our HSI Designation
How to Join Puente
RESOURCES
Hispanic Serving Institution Transformation Team
Resources for Latinx Students & Employees
What is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)?
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are defined in Title V of the Higher Education Act as not-for-profit institutions of higher learning with a full-time equivalent (FTE) undergraduate student enrollment that is at least 25 percent Hispanic.
How long has Fullerton College been a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)?
Fullerton College has been recognized as an HSI campus on the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic/Latinx and has been a Latinx enrolling HSI since the mid-90s. Colleges and universities are defined as an HSI when at least 25% of enrolled students identify as Hispanic. In 1996, Fullerton College reached a level of 25.42% Hispanic students to meet HSI criteria. The college now enrolls nearly 60 percent Hispanic/Latinx students.
What has Fullerton College done to support its Latinx students
Ways in which we have demonstrated our love for our Latino Students:
- Created the first ever Puente Center
- Assembled the first ever Hispanic Serving Institution Transformation Team with our grant funds and achieved many milestones for the college including developing our first HSI logo, pursuing efforts to diversify hiring strategies to meet our students needs, and creating action teams to continue work
- Organized a college team to attend the statewide COLEGAS national conference to learn best practices. Served as the highest level cosponsor
- Hosted the Fall 2024 Convocation with the HSI Theme
- We hosted a variety of campus events to uplift our latine students including the HSI college wide celebration, Posados in the Park, Cruz Reynoso naming celebration, Latinx Employee Mixer, Cruisin’ to College Car Show, Undocumented Student Conference and Mujeres Achieving Success Conference
- Pursued Title III HSI grants for CSUF STEM programs and received numerous grants, including the Men of Color Grant in collaboration with USC and a grant with Dr. Gina Ann Garcia, a leading researcher on Hispanic-Serving Institutions.
- Developed the Siempre Fullerton College Podcast
- Send representatives to both the HACU and AHSIE Conferences
- Continue to host key events, including the Males Achieving Success Conference, Kinder Caminata, and Día de los Muertos celebrations.
- Continue to host two cohorts of Puente Scholars learning community
- Continue to be partners with Los Amigos de Orange County
- Develop new partnership with CSUF for Latino Men
- Attend summit to learn and commit to pursuing the Seal of Excelencia which helps colleges focus on success
- Preserve the recent change of the Cadena Center as a standalone center
- Provide stoles to 700 Latino Graduates participating in Commencement
- Provide cultural music after commencement for families to enjoy
- Honor political official and alumni Avelino Alvarado as the inaugural Alumni of the Year
- Adopt the book Illegally Yours as the One Book, One College selection written by FC Alum Rafael Agustin and he also served as Commencement Speaker
- Host two insightful events: one featuring Julissa Arce, author of My Undocumented American Dream, and another with Yosimar Reyes, acclaimed poet and playwright.
How do I join Puente?
The Puente Project (Spanish for “bridge”) is a national award-winning program that supports Latine/x and underrepresented students in reaching their academic, career and personal goals. With more than 30 years of rich history at Fullerton College, the Puente Program includes a learning community model where students take academic courses together, receive mentoring from professionals and benefit from individualized counseling services.
The Puente Program application for the Fall 2025 – Spring 2026 academic year is NOW OPEN. Click here to apply.
How many Latinx Students are at Fullerton College? In North Orange County Community College District?
At Fullerton College, nearly 60 percent of students identify as Hispanic/Latinx. Reflecting this demographic, the North Orange County Community College District reports that 51% of its students identify as Latinx/Hispanic.