Cerritos College marks 10 years of growth, stability, and student-centered innovation under Dr. Jose Fierro

Cerritos College marked a significant milestone on July 16, celebrating ten years of bold, visionary leadership by President/Superintendent Dr. Jose Fierro. The Board of Trustees, community leaders, and regional partners came together to honor a decade of growth, innovation, and institutional stability that has positioned Cerritos College as a statewide leader in student success and workforce development. 

Appointed in 2015, Dr. Fierro is the second longest-serving president in the history of Cerritos College. His decade of service to the community far exceeds the recent tenure of California community college CEOs, which has declined to an average of just 4.3 years. With a decade of strong and stable leadership, he has helped establish Cerritos College as a regional and national model for student success, equity, and workforce development. 

With the strong support and strategic alignment of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Fierro spearheaded a dramatic expansion of educational access and economic development across Southeast Los Angeles County. Over the past decade, Cerritos College awarded more than 54,000 degrees and certificates, tripling its annual completion rate. This year, the college has reached another historical milestone and is on track to exceed 10,000 awards for the academic year. 

The college’s accomplishments reflect a deliberate commitment to building seamless educational pipelines. Today, Cerritos College maintains 42 direct academic pathways with local high schools and adult schools, offering early college access, dual enrollment options, and accelerated workforce development opportunities. 

Cerritos College continues to pioneer equity-driven innovation. It launched its first bachelor’s degree program in dental hygiene, creating an affordable, high-impact path to career mobility. It was also the first college in California to open permanent supportive housing for students experiencing homelessness with the debut of The Village in 2020. In 2024, the college earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia, a national recognition of its outstanding results in serving Latino students. 

“The Board’s partnership with Dr. Fierro is grounded in shared values. We focus every decision on student success, innovation, and service to our community,” said Cerritos College Board of Trustees President Mariana Pacheco. “Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient Cerritos College that delivers real results for our region.” 

As Cerritos College prepares for the future, Dr. Fierro’s visionary leadership will continue to drive the institution forward. With a decade of results as its foundation, Cerritos College is well-positioned to expand its impact, create opportunity, and set new standards of excellence for community colleges across California and the nation.