About Us
The San Diego State University Institute for Transformative Education (ITE) is a life-changing education organization. Founded in 1983 by our Principal Investigator and TRIO Programs Director Dr. Cynthia Park, ITE provides invaluable services to low-income and potential first-generation-college students. We also provide opportunities that allow undergraduate students to gain valuable career experience in their fields.
Cynthia Darché Park has a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Research. Now the Principal Investigator for TRIO Programs, she is the former Executive Director and founder of the Institute for Transformative Education (formerly the Pre-College Institute), which houses multiple TRIO programs. Dr. Park has also directed the Undergraduate Research Summer Program and serves as the faculty advisor for the Faculty-Student Mentoring Program (F-SMP) where she mentors undergraduate students and works with her mentees through college graduation and into graduate or professional school.
Dr. Park is a Professor of Teacher Education at the SDSU School of Teacher Education. She believes that with the appropriate opportunities, services, and support systems, students can develop resourceful skills that will build their academic prospects. Dr. Park has received numerous local, regional, and national awards for her community engagement and service.
We Believe
The Institute for Transformative Education is a collaborative organization that helps support students and their communities. Our work goes beyond our programs and services.
