Flourishing Together at Spring Convocation 2023
President Cynthia Olivo delivered her first convocation address to many Fullerton College faculty and staff present at the Campus Theatre, with many more tuning in online on Friday, Jan. 20.
Highlighted with special musical performances and inspiring words, Spring Convocation 2023 embraced the theme of Flourishing Together.
“My first two weeks at Fullerton College have been encouraging and welcoming, and I am thrilled to join your community,” President Olivo said. “Equity has served as a cornerstone to my career, and it is an honor to join you in these efforts and in our shared commitment to student success.”
Each fall and spring, a convocation is held in the Campus Theatre for faculty, classified professionals, and administrators to mark the start of a new term and build community. New additions, included a land acknowledgment read by Associated Students President Chloe Serrano and a performance of the Black National Anthem – Lift Every Voice and Sing, sung by Bradlee Johnson, program coordinator of The Coalition. The Fullerton College Concert Choir gave an inspired performance of All Of Us by Craig Hella Johnson and directed by Nicola Dedmon.
Fullerton College alumnus Rafael Augustin was the keynote speaker for the event and read a chapter of his book Illegally Yours. Augustin currently serves as CEO of the Latino Film Institute (LFI), where he oversees the Youth Cinema Project, the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), and LatinX in Animation. Previously, he was a writer on the award-winning The CW show Jane The Virgin. Attendees were treated to a copy of his book, Illegally Yours, which is his memoir highlighting his immigrant experience in the United States. Growing up, Augustin did not see himself represented in film or television. He took it upon himself to make that change.
“I can write myself into existence,” explained Augustin. “Illegally Yours is my way of writing undocumented Americans into existence.”
As a former undocumented student at Fullerton College, Augustin encouraged attendees to be vulnerable and help create a sense of family at the college. “Don’t build borders for students,” explained Augustin. “Be a yes person because dreams should not have borders.”
Key leadership from across campus provided remarks, including Classified Senate President Nichole Crockrom, Faculty Senate President Jennifer Combs and North Orange County Community College (NOCCCD) Chancellor Breland.
During her remarks, Dr. Olivo shared her historia, including that she comes from a loving, hard-working, and supportive family. She was the first in her family to attend college, a trait that she shares with many Fullerton College students. President Olivo has been working in higher education for more than 28 years and believes in the transformative power of higher education.
“Where else can you go where there are 25,000 people who are working to make their dreams come true?” said President Olivo. “It’s amazing energy.”
President Olivo concluded the event by gifting attendees a pack of California Poppy seeds. Tying in the central theme, Flourishing Together, attendees were encouraged to plant the seeds as a symbol to mark an era of renewal and flourishing together.
“There are people who planted seeds within me that blossomed over time,” she said. “Spring is time for renewal and the seeds that were planted will bloom. Use this Convocation to reset as an opportunity to flourish together.”
A recording of Spring 2023 Convocation is available at Fullerton College’s YouTube channel.
