Patricia Prado-Olmos, PhD

Board Member

Chief Community Engagement Officer, California State University San Marcos

Dr. Patricia L. Prado-Olmos is a distinguished higher education leader, scholar, and community advocate dedicated to advancing educational opportunity, economic mobility, and community well-being through transformative partnerships. Throughout her career, she has built authentic collaborations connecting universities with education, civic, nonprofit, tribal, military, and business communities to create lasting regional impact.

Most recently, Dr. Prado-Olmos served as Chief Community Engagement Officer at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM), where she led the University’s community engagement strategy across military affairs, tribal relations, community-engaged scholarship, economic development, and outreach. She previously served as a professor and held several senior leadership roles, including Associate Dean and Interim Dean, advancing student success, faculty development, and organizational effectiveness.

Her scholarship focuses on educational equity, social justice, and improving outcomes for historically underserved communities. Her research has explored bilingual literacy, educator preparation, diversity and inclusion, and, more recently, the impact of community engagement on organizational effectiveness and inclusive excellence.

A dedicated civic leader, Dr. Prado-Olmos serves on the boards of Lifeline Community Services, MAAC, MAAC Community Charter School, the Burnham Center for Community Advancement, TrueCare, and the San Diego Foundation. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from Pomona College and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and continues to champion inclusive leadership and community engagement throughout the region.