Fullerton College inaugurated its new Student Support Center on Friday morning, Sept. 19, in the new building across the street from the main campus.
The celebration included remarks by Fullerton College President Dr. Cynthia Olivo, student representatives and elected officials who praised the efforts of everyone involved in the successful completion of the SSC.
Olivo credited the local community with making this new center possible by investing in the school with the passing of Measure J, which awarded Fullerton College, Cypress College and the School of Continuing Education with tax funds to upgrade and modernize campus facilities.
“At Fullerton College, we had a goal of centralizing our key student support services in one building. We wanted to cultivate this space where our students can find dedicated support to meet their needs and people who will walk alongside them throughout their educational journey,” said Olivo.
Originally, the departments had been scattered throughout the campus, making it difficult for students to locate them, but now they can all be found under one roof to better serve the students and faculty of Fullerton College.
The SSC will house numerous departments that aid students from everyday basic needs to more personal one-on-one counseling.
Located on the first floor is the Chris Lamm & Toni DuBois Memorial Food Bank that offers dairy, poultry, fresh produce and baby food. There are limits and they are specified on the shelves. Also located on the first floor are Student Health Services and the Veterans Resource Center.
Health services offer medical exams and therapy sessions alongside guidance from student health educators. They also have a lounge area where students can access pamphlets on everything from suicide prevention to managing anxiety.
According to Peer Mentor of the Veterans Resource Center, Jasmine Santos, the main goal of the center is to “provide veterans with a second home and a sense of belonging.” The center is not only available to veterans, but to their families and friends as well.
The second floor houses a conference room and two main rooms that house the remainder of the departments. The Cadena Cultural Center, LGBTQIA2S+ Resource Program and the Grads to Be program have all been grouped together.
Cadena and Grads to Be programs offer legal services that support all students, regardless of their legal status. These services can be accessed through appointments that can be made online for in-person counseling or virtual consultation.
LGBTQIA2S+ provides wellness support through their associates and a space where visitors can engage with books and art from LGBTQIA2S+ creators.
Cadena Student Services Coordinator Gilberto Valencia described the place as an inclusive space to study, decompress and thrive.
The Extended Opportunity Program and Services/EOPS and Foster Youth Success Initiative/FYSI are also housed together. They provide counseling services, priority registration, a book service award that is in addition to the buzzy bookstore bucks provided by the school and countless scholarship opportunities. Students can apply for the programs through their websites.
Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung was present at the opening ceremony and spoke on his personal connection to the individuals who purchased and moved the homes that were formerly located in the space and made it possible for the new SSC to be built.
“Access to education is an attainable reality for everyone and the community college system is free, opening the doors of opportunity to students, working adults, veterans, and immigrants,” said Jung.
The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and self-guided tours throughout the facility to acquaint those in attendance with the resources that are now open to the Fullerton community.
“Today’s investment for Fullerton College will pay incredible dividends for generations to come,” said Mayor Jung.
