Jessica Robinson is the new president of Cuyamaca College in El Cajon, California. She is the first alumna of the college to serve as president.
Cuyamaca College, located east of San Diego, enrolls just over 7,800 students, according to the most recent statistics available from the U.S. Department of Education. Women make up 58 percent of the student body.
“Like many first-generation students, I didn’t know what to expect from college; I started nervous and unsure,” Dr. Robinson said. “What I learned as a student at Cuyamaca is that I belonged here. In my role as president, I intend to make space so that every one of our students know they belong here too. I am beyond proud to serve Cuyamaca students and employees as president. This is truly a dream come true.”
Dr. Robinson was most recently the college’s interim president and vice president of student services. Earlier, she served as assistant dean for student affairs and interim associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Health and Human Services at San Diego State University. She has also taught courses on leadership, social work, and community organizing at Sand Diego State University and the University of San Diego.
After earning an associate’s degree at Cuyamaca College, Dr. Robinson earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work and a doctorate in educational leadership from San Diego State University.