Administrator Wins Woman of the Year Award From NAACP
Patricia Prado-Olmos, chief community engagement officer for Cal State San Marcos, has been named Woman of the Year by the North San Diego County branch of the NAACP, the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization.
Dr. Prado-Olmos received the honor at the organization’s Blue & Gold Freedom Fund Awards Gala on April 5 at the Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa, where she was praised for her “remarkable leadership exemplified by the lasting impact of her contributions.”
The NAACP specifically recognized Prado-Olmos for her steadfast commitment to social justice, equity and community empowerment. Her leadership and advocacy for marginalized communities, along with her dedication to inclusive education, have made a meaningful impact both within and beyond the university.
“I am extremely honored and humbled by this recognition,” Prado-Olmos said. “I’m very grateful to the NCSD NAACP for their partnership and commitment to building a transformative relationship with CSUSM. The community’s willingness to work with me, and with CSUSM, has galvanized our collective work to advance student success.”
Prado-Olmos began her career at CSUSM in 1997 as a professor of multicultural/multilingual education, and has served as an administrator on the campus since 2008. In her current role, she leads initiatives that strengthen ties between the university and community partners in the region, including military affairs, tribal partnerships, economic development and community-engaged scholarship, positioning CSUSM as a catalyst for social change and regional prosperity.
Her work has expanded access to higher education for underrepresented populations and ensured meaningful support for diverse communities. She has played a key role in CSUSM’s Coalition on Black and African American Education as well as the university’s Black Student Success Initiative – both of which focus on closing equity gaps, offering culturally responsive resources and empowering students through leadership development.
Prado-Olmos also was recently honored as a 2025 Nonprofit Board Leader of Influence by the San Diego Business Journal for her work as the board vice chair for MAAC (Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee on Anti-Poverty of San Diego County, Inc.), which provides a wide range of services that focus on promoting economic mobility and self-sufficiency.
Prado-Olmos holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pomona College and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from UC Santa Barbara.
Media Contact
Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306