Cerritos College President Dr. Jose Fierro Honored with 2026 ACCT Pacific Region CEO Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 12, 2026
Media Contact: Aya Aoki; Public Relations and Communications
NORWALK, Calif. – August 12, 2026 – Cerritos College President/Superintendent Dr. Jose Fierro is the recipient of the
2026 Association of Community Colleges Trustees (ACCT) Pacific Region Chief Executive
Officer Award. The award will be presented at the Regional Awards Presentation at
the Annual ACCT Leadership Congress in Chicago this October.
Appointed in 2015, Dr. Fierro has successfully led Cerritos College for over a decade, establishing it as a regional and national model for student success, equity, and workforce development. In partnership with the Board of Trustees, Dr. Fierro transformed Cerritos College into a student-centered institution focused on innovation, program completion, and advancing social and economic mobility for its community. Driven by a shared commitment to better serve students, Dr. Fierro championed college programs that resulted in awarding over 60,000 degrees and certificates, more than doubling annual completions, expanding career and transfer pathways, and building California’s first community college housing development exclusively for students experiencing homelessness.
Under his leadership, Cerritos College launched its first Bachelor of Science program in Dental Hygiene and received state approval for a second bachelor’s degree in Field Ironworker Supervision, expanding access to local high-demand careers. Beyond the campus, Dr. Fierro plays an influential role in regional, state, and national discussions on student success, basic needs, governance, and economic mobility. His data-informed and results-driven leadership continues to transform lives and serve as a replicable model for colleges across the nation.
“This ACCT Pacific CEO Award recognizes exactly what we’ve long known about Dr. Fierro. He is a leader defined by vision, partnership, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to expanding access and opportunity for students. Dr. Fierro leads with humility and a genuine belief that when we work together, we can accomplish more and create greater possibilities for the students and communities we serve. His leadership has helped transform Cerritos College, strengthen our communities, and open doors of opportunity for countless students and their families. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor and look forward to continuing this work together in the years ahead,” said Dr. Dawn Green, President of the Board of Trustees.
The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) is a nonprofit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern more than 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States and beyond.
About Cerritos College: Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers nearly 300 degrees and certificates in nine divisions. Annually, more than 5,000 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently averages 21,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.
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