We are Cerritos College: State of the College highlights shared achievements through resiliency and innovation
Cerritos College hosted its 2025 State of the College address on April 16, highlighting the community’s collective achievements to overcome
challenges and drive innovation. The event opened with remarks from Senator Bob Archuleta,
who commended the college for its leadership and service to the region.
President/Superintendent Dr. Jose Fierro emphasized Cerritos College’s role as the most reliable way to social and economic mobility. He underscored the need to support the community, especially for immigrant students who face uncertain futures in today’s political climate. Dr. Fierro championed investing in their education to ensure a better future for the community, noting that three out of five working adults in California are immigrants who make significant contributions to the local and national economies, and their impact is only growing.
Dr. Fierro also shared the college’s sustainability progress, including the installation of a 6.5-megawatt photovoltaic solar system that will generate 85 percent of the campus's electricity, saving $16 million over the next 20 years. Cerritos College also uses reclaimed water for irrigation in over 95 percent of its landscapes, and invested $3.5 million in developing clean energy career training. Dr. Fierro stated that Cerritos College is on track to become the greenest community college in the United States.
The president also provided an update on the community-supported construction projects, transforming the campus to be more student-facing and eco-friendly. The new Student Services and Administration Building, which is halfway completed, will centralize key student services and create a welcoming gateway to the campus. The college secured $80 million to build affordable student housing and is preparing to reopen the upgraded Health Science Building this fall, which will house the college’s first bachelor’s degree program in dental hygiene.
The college continues to break records in student achievement. In the 2023-24 academic year, Cerritos College awarded 8,166 degrees and certificates, a 247 percent increase since 2015. The college earned the recognition as a Seal of Excelencia institution for its progress in advancing graduation rates among Latino students. These awards lead to transformed lives, with anticipated annual salary increases of over $8,000 for an associate degree and over $30,000 for a bachelor’s degree. Faculty members from two standout programs, Automotive Technology and Retail Management, shared their success stories and how community partnerships, in private industry and K-12 schools, led to better employment outcomes for their graduates. These efforts expand career pathways and strengthen student success, ultimately uplifting the community.
“Our achievements are a reflection of our people – our students, our staff, and our community,” said Dr. Fierro. “Together, we are resilient, we are innovative, and we are Cerritos College.”
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