Fullerton College Selects Dr. Sonia De La Torre as New Vice President of Student Services
For Immediate Release
July 31, 2025
(FULLERTON, CA) – Fullerton College is proud to announce the selection of Dr. Sonia De La Torre as the incoming Vice President of Student Services, pending approval by the North Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees.
Dr. De La Torre brings 24 years of experience in higher education and a proven record of student advocacy and equity-centered leadership. Most recently, she served as Dean of Student Equity at Long Beach City College, where she played a key role in advancing the college by achieving the Seal of Excelencia and regaining its large college status.
As Dean of Student Equity, Dr. De La Torre provided visionary leadership for a wide range of student support programs including Upward Bound, Dual Enrollment, First-Year Experience Programs, Matriculation Services, Male Success Initiative, Phoenix Scholars, and the Justice Scholars Program. She also led large-scale institutional initiatives and offered strategic oversight of categorical programs such as Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS), Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE), Foster Youth Services and Disabled Student Program and Services (DSPS).
She previously served as the Associate Dean of Student Support Services and Director of Student Success and Support Services at Long Beach City College. Prior to her tenure in the California Community College system, she also held leadership roles in student affairs at Scripps College and in academic support within the University of California system.
Dr. De La Torre holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from University of California, Davis, a Master of Science degree in Educational Counseling and Guidance from California State University, San Bernardino and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from California State University, Long Beach.
As a first-generation college graduate and practitioner, Dr. De La Torre has centered her work on serving vulnerable student populations by engaging in programmatic development and systems change thinking to increase access, equity, and success outcomes of students. She is a National Community College Hispanic Counsel (NCCHC) Leadership Fellow and Excelencia in Education Policy Fellow.
“Dr. De La Torre’s passion for equity, transformation and student success makes her the ideal leader to guide Student Services into the future,” said Dr. Cynthia Olivo, President of Fullerton College. “We are thrilled to welcome her to the Hornet family in the new academic year.”
Pending board approval, Dr. De La Torre is expected to begin her new role at Fullerton College on September 1, 2025. As the incoming Vice President of Student Services, she will provide strategic leadership across the college’s student services units, including counseling, admissions and records, financial aid, basic needs and categorical programs.
Dr. Sonia De La Torre
Vice President of Student Services
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