Grossmont College history

On September 18, 1962, 73 percent of the voters approved a $7.5 million bond issue.

Even before construction was completed, the administrative offices were moved to the new campus and classes were officially opened on September 14, 1964.

On October 18, 1965, a second bond election for $3.5 million was passed by the voters in the area.

Since that time, student enrollment has increased to a peak of over 16,000.In the fall of 1978 Cuyamaca College opened.

Thirty-eight students made up Cuyamaca College's first graduating class in May 1979.

On March 5, 1985, the Governing Board officially changed the name of the District to the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, thereby incorporating the name of our second campus in the title.

Doctor Sherrill Amador began her tenure as college president in 1994 and a year later, Rancho San Diego Parkway opened as the college's new main entrance, providing better access to the campus.

Institutionally administered financial aid is available to distance learners. It first offered distance learning courses in 1997.

The original charter of Grossmont College's first diversity initiative began in 1998 with Biology instructor Michael L. Golden, who organized a small committee dedicated to celebrating diversity during a campus climate, not only noticeably lacking in it, but at times resistant and critical of it.

By the end of 2000, Michael Golden passed the torch of leadership to Child Development instructor Sonia Gaiane, and Humanities instructor Gwenyth Mapes soon after joined the WACO team.

Doctor Geraldine M. Perri took over the reins as college president in 2002, the same year that East County residents approved Prop.

In fall 2004, there were 3,400 students enrolled in distance learning courses.

In 2007, "The Cuyamaca Way" became Cuyamaca College's official motto, a tribute to the institution's prevailing sense of community.

The group's purpose was to offer college-wide programs supportive of diversity at Grossmont College, but to do so through a grant request process open to a more universal and inclusive definition of "diversity." In 2011, Sara Varghese, Dean, Student Affairs, assumed the role of committee chair.

In November 2012, East County voters once again showed their support for the college district with the passage of Prop.

In 2013, an Intergenerational Garden was established adjacent to the Child Development Center, where senior volunteers affectionately nicknamed “Garden Grannies” helped children plant and harvest vegetables consumed by the center’s young wards.

Cuyamaca was a repeat winner of the coveted award in 2014.

In October 2015, Doctor Julianna Barnes, who previously served Cuyamaca College as vice president of student services, returned to take the helm as president.