Dr. Contreras Named Interim President of Fullerton College
The North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) Board of Trustees unanimously voted Tuesday, July 27 to appoint Dr. Gilbert J. Contreras as interim president of Fullerton College. Dr. Contreras is currently serving as acting president and vice president of student services. He will begin as interim president August 1, while a search is conducted for the permanent position.
Dr. Contreras joined Fullerton College in 2016. During his time as vice president of student services, he has worked collaboratively to advance student-centered leadership that emphasizes educating the “whole” student.
During his tenure as vice president, Dr. Contreras ushered in many new programs including the formation of the two-years-free North Orange Promise at Fullerton College, the creation of Behavioral Health Services, and the transition of Student Activities to Student Life & Leadership. Additionally, he championed the Catalyst grant which supports undocumented students; he implemented community-oriented safety principles in Campus Safety; he advocated for improvements in the built environment to foster a “sense of belonging” for students, and steered Student Services Critical Conversations on antiracism, which led to the college’s adoption of its Commitment to Antiracism.
“As the vice president of student services for the last five years, Dr. Contreras has been an instrumental leader at Fullerton College by providing leadership in many areas including the advancement of DEIA efforts, the launch of the Promise Program and many important high-touch student services,” said NOCCCD Chancellor Dr. Cheryl Marshall. “I am confident that he can lead Fullerton College well during this exciting time as we round the corner of the pandemic and return to in-person instruction and services.”
Dr. Contreras is stepping in to fill a vacancy left by President Greg Schulz who served as FC’s president for six years. Dr. Schulz accepted the position of superintendent-president of Citrus College.
“Fullerton College is a vibrant college that takes pride in our ‘radically student-centered’ approach to help students reach their educational and career goals,” Dr. Contreras said. “I am honored to work alongside faculty, staff, and administrators where we are mission-driven and lead with love to support students.”
Dr. Contreras came to Fullerton College by way of Cerritos College where he served as the dean of student services. Prior to Cerritos College, he worked at Cypress College as the manager for Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS) and the special projects director of the Learning Resource Center.
Before his career in the California community college system, Dr. Contreras applied his expertise in housing, community, and economic development in various capacities for municipal, non-profit, and research stakeholders. He earned a Ph.D. in Urban Planning at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Master in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with an emphasis in Housing, Community, and Economic Development. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in City Planning.
Dr. Contreras enjoys community activities with his wife, Kathleen, three children, and a German Shepherd dog. He serves as an executive board member for the Lupe Contreras Scholarship Fund raising awareness about ovarian cancer and providing scholarships for civically engaged women pursuing higher education.
Dr. Contreras will serve Fullerton College as a national search is conducted for the permanent position. Additionally, recruitment will begin in the coming weeks for an interim vice president of student services.
