Oct. 27, 2026

How Do You Preserve 113 Years of History While Launching Drone Degrees? - with Dr. Cynthia Olivo, President, Fullerton College

Key Takeaways

Dr. Cynthia Olivo shares her inspiring journey as the granddaughter of segregated Mexican schools in Southern California now leading Fullerton College.
Fullerton College successfully balances preserving 113 years of rich institutional history while innovating with modern programs like drone degrees.
The discovery of Fullerton College's 30-year history as a Hispanic-Serving Institution highlights the importance of institutional self-awareness and representation.
The establishment of the Future Titan Center bridges the gap for transfer students, ensuring they do not feel lost on campus.
Dr. Olivo demonstrates how visionary leadership honors the past while aggressively preparing students for the future of higher education.

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with ⁠Dr. Cynthia Olivo, President, Fullerton College

This episode, President Series #522, is powered by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ellucian⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Higher Ed's AI-Enriched Platform!

This episode is brought to you by ⁠Beyond Survival: Reporting from the Front Lines of Higher Education’s War for Relevance⁠ is a documentary account from the front lines of the most consequential upheaval in higher ed in generations!

This episode is sponsored by⁠⁠⁠ the ⁠MSCHE 2026 Annual Conference⁠, where we will be podcasting live, keynoting, & facilitating a pre-conference workshop from December 9-11 in Philadelphia!

This episode is also sponsored by the ⁠⁠InsightsEDU 2027⁠⁠ Conference - focused on attracting & retaining the modern learner - where we will be podcasting live from February 23-25 in Phoenix, AZ! Use code EDUP & save $100! Early-bird pricing ends December 15, 2026!

YOUR cohost is Christi Segal, Senior Vice President, Managed Services & Executive Business Development, Ellucian

YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio

How does a granddaughter of segregated Mexican schools in Southern California now lead the first continuously operating community college since 1913?
Why did we find out we've been an HSI for 30 years but couldn't find a single artifact that showed it?
What makes building a Future Titan Center on your campus the bridge that keeps transfer students from feeling lost?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Dr. Cynthia Olivo?

Dr. Cynthia Olivo is the President of Fullerton College, bringing a deeply personal and transformative perspective to community college leadership.

What is unique about Fullerton College's history?

Fullerton College is the first continuously operating community college in California since 1913, boasting 113 years of rich history while actively launching innovative modern programs.

How does Fullerton College support transfer students?

Fullerton College supports transfer students through dedicated initiatives like the Future Titan Center, which serves as a vital bridge to keep students from feeling lost.