Pride Center

Pride Center Logo

Location

Fresno City College, LI 143

Contact Us 

lgbtq@fresnocitycollege.edu

Follow Us! 

Instagram

Established in Fall 2025, the FCC Pride Center is a dynamic space for members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies to build relationships, feel supported, explore their identities, and have fun! Open M-F from 8:30am – 4:30pm, the FCC campus community will find a welcoming environment to support the co-curricular needs of our students!

The Pride Center offers learning opportunities for students, faculty, and staff relating to LGBTQ+ identities, concerns, and celebrations.Check out our events listed below, and our Instagram for upcoming workshops and events! If you have any ideas or considerations, please email Jessica Schulz. The Pride Center is a part of the Office of Student Equity and Success.

CHEL is an exciting new learning community that centers the experiences of LGBTQ+ students in higher education. CHEL, a Mayan word meaning "rainbow", encapsulates the diversity and vibrancy of the community that we will build together.

Originally founded at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA, CHEL was created to support and uplift LGBTQ+ students and allies through focused programming, community, and academic support. At Fresno City College, CHEL will explore topics and discussions related to identity, belonging, and the pursuit of higher education, all within the context of the LGBTQIA+ student experience.

CHEL is open to all students who meet the requirements.

Fall 2025 Events

August

  • 8/20: RASFA & Pride Center/CHEL mixer

September

  • 9/10: Pride Center Open House
  • 9/18: Video Game Event

October

  • 10/14: FCC Domestic Violence Awareness Month resource fair
  • 10/15: The Intersection of Race, Sexuality, Gender, and Education with George M. Johnson
    • Award-wining Author of "All Boys Aren't Blue", and Activist
      Join a one-in-a-kind conversation with author and activitist, George M. Johnson, at Fresno City College on the intersection of race, sexuality, gender, and education! 
      Learn more about George M. Johnson
  • 10/16: Pride Center + Dream Center event on Immigration and the LGBTQ+ community
  • End of October: SCCCD District GSA gathering and community nourishment @FCC

November

  • 11/5: Karaoke Night
  • 11/12: Collab w/Fresno Inclusive and Fresno State: Healthcare advocacy for Queer and Trans Folks
  • 11/20: Collab w/Fresno State: Transgender Day of Remembrance @ Fresno State

December

  • 12/1: Tabling for World Aids Day

Spring 2026 Events

February

  • Guest speaker on Aromantic & Asexual identities

March

  • LGBTQ+ 201 staff and faculty workshop 
  • 3/26: Creative Writing for Carceral Justice w/ KB Brookins
  • 3/31: International Transgender Day of Visibility 

CHEL Learning Community

Benefits of joining the CHEL learning community

  • Community building through a year-long Cohort Model
  • Dedicated counselors and staff
  • Explore issues and experiences of LGBTQIA+ students in college
  • Helps prepare you to transfer to a 4-year college
  • Loaner Laptop for Learning Community participants (1 year)

Fall Cohort Courses

  • ENGL C1000: Academic Reading and Writing
  • COUN-43 

Spring Cohort Courses

  • WSTS 47: Introduction to LGBTQ+ Studies

**Application for the 2025-26 Cohort is now closed. Join our Interest List for the 2026-27 Cohort!

Helpful LGBTQ+ Student Information

Add Chosen Name and/or Pronouns to your FCC account

  • A student's chosen first name will display in Canvas and Self-Service, including class rosters, and wait lists for use by instructors. Your legal name will continue to be used on certain college documents, such as transcripts and financial aid documents.
  • Come into the Pride Center if you need help making these changes

Full Guide to Changing California and Federal Identity Documents

Map of Gender Inclusive Restrooms at FCC

  • This information is currently outdated, but does provide some guidance. Please visit the Pride Center for any specific questions, an update is in progress.

Resources for food, housing, transportation, textbooks, and technology

  • The Pride Center is currently working with FCC Basic Needs to provide intentional support to the LGBTQ+ community. They will soon be hosting weekly hours in the Pride Center.

FAQ’s

  • Do I need to be a part of the CHEL learning community to visit the Pride Center and go to the events?
    • No! The Pride Center is open to all LGBTQ+ students and allies. Unless specified as CHEL-specific, events are open to all members of the FCC community who want to learn and spend time together!
  • Do I need to identify as LGBTQ to be a part of CHEL?
    • No, we welcome allies!

Community Supports

Pride Center Staff

Linda Vang

Linda Vang (she/her)
Counselor

Linda is a fierce ally of the LGBTQ+ community and an advocate for educational access for all students. She is a native Fresnan and have served the FCC student community for over 7 years. 

Phone: 559-442-8263 

Email Linda 

Jessica Schulz

Jessica Schulz (she/they)
Provisional Senior Program Specialist

Jessica is a queer white woman from Fresno and an alum of Fresno City College! She is passionate about unfettered access to education and liberation for all.

Phone: 559-442-8242 

Email Jessica

Melissa Flores

Melissa Flores (she/her)
Interim Director, Student Equity and Success

Originally from South San Francisco, Melissa has a long history serving student services in higher education, and an even longer history experiencing racial and gender inequities, contributing to her desire and fight for equity, inclusion, and access for all.

Phone: 559.442.8779 
Email Melissa

Pride Center Student Leaders

Leaf Lopez

Leaf Lopez-Arreguin (she/her)
Student Leader

Hey, my name is Leaf, and I am so excited to meet you, I love to play video games, my favorite ones being Hollow Knight, Undertale, and my most recent favorite being Baldurs Gate 3. Feel free to come in and chat with me whenever!

Come Meet Me in the Pride Center!

Indy Williams

Indy Williams (they/them)
Student Leader

Hello, I am Indy and I am a Psychology Major here at Fresno City College, as well as the Club President of Fresno City College’s student run Gender & Sexuality Alliance. I love being active out in the world opening myself up to new experiences as well as giving back and uplifting my community and I am honored to be a part of building with the CHEL and the Pride Center!

Come Meet Me in the Pride Center!

Jorge Vargas

Jorge Vargas (he/him)
Graduate Student Leader

Hello, my name is Jorge Vargas (He/Him/His). I am a graduate student at Fresno State working toward becoming a future counselor. I thrive on iced coffee, meaningful conversations, and good vibes. I am also an avid movie watcher— ask me about my Letterboxd! 

Come Meet Me in the Pride Center!