Dr. Marilyn Flores will take over the role of President/Superintendent of Rio Hondo College. Dr. Flores is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of California, Riverside (UCR), where she obtained her doctorate.

Recent History of Rio Hondo College’s Superintendent/Presidents

Teresa Dreyfuss, the current Superintendent/President of Rio Hondo College, will retire on June 30, 2022. Previously, Dreyfus was in office for seven years between 2012 and 2019. Despite retiring, she returned to the position after Dr. Arturo Reyes was put on leave in July 2020. 

Reyes was Superintendent/President of Rio Hondo College between 2019 and 2020. But he was only active as Superintendent/President between July 2019 and July 2020. Reyes subsequently resigned from the position in Dec. 2020

Reyes left the position after Hews Media Group-Los Cerritos Community News and the Southern California News Group reported he had committed fraud by making unapproved changes to his contract.  

Hews Media Group-Los Cerritos Community News first reported the story on July 8, 2020. Two days later, the Southern California News Group, which owns the local Whittier Daily News and San Gabriel Valley Tribune, independently confirmed the report.

The Rio Hondo College Presidential Search Concludes in Spring 2022

The Rio Hondo College Superintendent/President search began during the Fall semester in Nov. 2021. After four months, the College hosted a virtual public forum with the four finalists on March 22. 

Despite not being elected, one of the final four finalists was Rio Hondo College’s Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Don Miller. 

In addition, Dr. Cynthia Olivo was also a close runner-up for the position this year. She was previously a finalist in 2019. Dr. Olivio is the current Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services at Pasadena City College (PCC).

The Board of Trustees selected Dr. Flores two days after the virtual public form. The following day on March 25, the College released a public announcement about the new Superintendent/President-elect in a press release. 

Dr. Flores shared, “‘I am thrilled and excited to serve as the next Superintendent/President of Río Hondo College… I firmly know that through the support of the Board of Trustees, the staff and administration, Río Hondo College will continue to thrive, excel and serve its community with excellence. I believe the work that I have done over the course of my career in community colleges has led me here to this College and this community. I could not be more excited to join you and serve our students.’”

Dr. Flores will transition into her new role as the 12th Superintendent/President of Rio Hondo College during the Summer.