A landmark agreement between Cal State Fullerton and Fullerton College guarantees admission for eligible transfer students and establishes a new center on the community college’s campus that will help the “Hornets of today become the Titans of tomorrow.”
As part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by CSUF President Ronald Rochon and Fullerton College President Cynthia Olivo, the Future Titan Center has opened at the Fullerton College campus, the first of its kind for both institutions.
“Students begin their journeys as Hornets and then continue as Titans, bringing their talent and determination to our campus,” said Rochon. “By opening the Future Titan Center on the Fullerton College campus, we are bringing Cal State Fullerton closer to students. We will have services here that make the pathway to a bachelor’s degree more visible, accessible and attainable.”
Fullerton College, the oldest continuously operating community college in California, is consistently one of the largest sources of community college transfers to Cal State Fullerton, with 886 students transferring to CSUF during 2025-26, according to data from the CSUF Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning.
“Our close partnership is essential to ensure that Fullerton College students have a direct and affordable pathway to their dreams,” Olivo said before the ceremonial signing. “We are excited to offer a unique space on campus for our students to learn more about CSUF services and essential resources. As partners, our collective goal is not only to ensure that our students transfer, but to hand them the tools and preparation so they successfully complete their bachelor’s degree.”
Jessica Barco, associate vice president for CSUF strategic enrollment management, called the center and its services crucial for creating a clear and easy “camino de sueños” — a path of dreams for students who aspire to transfer from the college to CSUF and, after graduation, enter a profession.
The CSUF center at Fullerton College will help generations of students become Titans, Barco said.
“Through our work with the Aspen-AASCU Transfer Student Success Intensive, we are taking the next step by creating a Titan Center at Fullerton College that will connect future Titans with advising, resources and support earlier in their educational journey,” Barco said. “When students have a clear pathway and the right support, they can complete their degrees more quickly, achieve their goals, and expand opportunities for themselves, their families, and their communities.”
The Aspen – AASCU Transfer Student Success Intensive is a year-long initiative that pairs community colleges with four-year universities to improve transfer student outcomes, including retention and graduation rates. The program is led by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and is supported by an education nonprofit, Ascendium Education Group.
While Fullerton College and CSUF have long had a relationship, the intensive brought the two institutions even closer together. In January 2025, the two were among 10 universities and colleges granted the chance to participate in the program, which utilizes evidence-based approaches to ease the transfer process and provides expert consulting, monthly workshops and data analysis. Ultimately, the program ensures that institutions like Fullerton College and CSUF collaboratively refine their policies and build a strategic, long-term transfer plan that assists students.
Under the new agreement with Fullerton College, CSUF guarantees admission for eligible transfer students. In addition, CSUF will offer services that provide clear, academic pathways that reduce confusion and delays in the transfer process. Other specific benefits of the partnership are:
On-site support: CSUF staff at the Future Titan Center at Fullerton College will link students with transfer resources and foster early connections.
Guaranteed admission: Fullerton College students who meet transfer requirements and maintain a 2.8 GPA will have guaranteed admission to Cal State Fullerton.
Wraparound services: Transfer students will benefit from wraparound services, including academic advising, financial aid assistance, career exploration and mental health resources.
Data-driven improvements: A data-sharing agreement between Fullerton College and CSUF will ensure that both institutions track student progress, identify gaps and provide timely interventions for transfer success.
As a transfer student pursuing his bachelor’s degree in CSUF’s College of Business and Economics, Elyas Khalid said his academic journey is a testament to the strength of the Hornet-to-Titan pipeline.
“Fullerton College didn’t just help me transfer. It helped me find myself, trust myself and believe that I was ready for what came next,” said Khalid. “Now, I am a senior at Cal State Fullerton studying accounting. I have internships and opportunities that I never thought I would have.”
The campuses have much in common. They are less than 5 miles apart in the city of Fullerton, which serves approximately 140,000 residents. Both are Hispanic-serving, Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander-serving institutions that are committed to closing equity gaps and improving outcomes for first-generation students and other underrepresented groups.
“The signing of our MOU solidifies our shared commitment to creating a clear and supportive pathway for students from Fullerton College to Cal State Fullerton and ultimately to degree completion,” said Cecilia Arriaza, director of the Fullerton College Transfer Center. “The Future Titan Center is a tangible expression of that commitment. It’s where that vision and partnership will help students turn their dreams into reality.”