Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for New Facilities at Fullerton College
Fullerton College commemorated a significant step into the future with a groundbreaking ceremony for the Chapman Newell Instructional Building and the Maintenance and Operations Building on Jan. 18. This event highlighted the college’s dedication to student support and operational efficiency.
Dr. Cynthia Olivo, President of Fullerton College, addressed the gathering, highlighting the significance of the programs and services that the new facilities will support.
The ceremony also included Anthony Antohe, a current student and Army veteran, who shared his experiences with the Veterans Resource Center. The center, which will find its new home in the Chapman Newell building, played a pivotal role in supporting his educational journey at Fullerton College. Anthony’s story illustrated the profound impact these facilities, and the people within them, have on individual students and their academic success.
Nathan Bass, another current student and a district representative from State Senator Josh Newman’s office, also took the podium. He spoke about the community’s involvement and support for the college’s initiatives and presented Dr. Olivo with a certificate of recognition, symbolizing the wider community’s endorsement and appreciation of the college’s efforts.
The Chapman Newell Instructional Building, with 18,224 functional square feet, will serve as a hub for student support services that are currently dispersed across the campus, including:
CalWorks/CARE Programs: Offering social and financial support to student parents.
Chris Lamm/Toni DuBois Memorial Food Bank: Providing essential services such as food, health, housing, and employment assistance.
Extended Opportunity Programs and Services: Assisting students facing educational, social, and economic challenges.
Foster Youth Success Initiative: Supporting students transitioning from the foster care system.
Student Wellness Center: Offering medical and behavioral health services.
Umoja Community Program: Focusing on the educational success of Black/African American students.
Veterans Resource Center: Providing counseling, educational benefits guidance, and transition resources for student veterans.
The new Maintenance and Operations Building will centralize essential campus services like administrative offices, specialized trade work areas and essential support functions. Spanning 11,489 functional square feet, the facility will help boost efficiency and operational services across the college.
Campus Grounds
Electrical
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Lock and Key Services
Maintenance
Plumbing and Irrigation
Both projects are financed by Measure J, a voter-approved initiative from 2014, which allocated $574 million in significant upgrades toward educational facilities across the North Orange County Community College District. Approximately $30 million will fund construction of the Chapman Newell Instructional Building and $17.5 million for the development of the Maintenance and Operations Building.
Construction on both projects began in fall 2023 with completion scheduled for later winter 2025.
