Q&A with Tom Fallo

At the start of the semester, you can find President Tom Fallo out near the library lawn greeting students and giving directions. He’ll retire in February 2016, but is in no hurry to leave the job.

WL: What was your favorite subject in school?
TF: It was economics. I love the social part of it.

WL: Is this the position you always wanted to achieve?
TF: No, it’s not. When I was a kid, there were different things I wanted to do and it would change all the time but I knew I wanted to be in business.

WL: Do you have a special skill or talent?
TF: I have no talent or special skill. I am the worst singer there is. In college, I used to sing in the shower and the students would walk by howling at me.

WL: What’s a part of the job you initially didn’t like but now enjoy?
TF: Traveling to Sacramento. I didn’t really like the town because of the weather. It was too hot or really cold. As I kept going, I began to enjoy it. Meeting all of the legislators, going to the functions, and being able to represent former employers I worked with and El Camino [was great].

WL: Milano is a city in Italy you like to visit. Any other places you like to go?
TF: I also like Venice and Florence.

WL: Any city and states in the United States you like?
TF: I love New York. I love the metro rail system out there and I like to take public transportation when I go.

WL: Do you have any favorite movies?
TF: No favorites. I don’t watch the same movie twice. The first time I take it all in. I do watch some Netflix every once in while.

WL: What do you think about higher education now compared to when you were going to school?
TF: I like all the new things that are helping students and faculty in education. But the underlining core is learning how to read and write, not just the digitalization of it.

WL: What kind of music do you like?
TF: I am not really into commercial or radio music. I listen to jazz and classical.

WL: What do you like to do to unwind?
TF: I like to exercise. I like getting on a treadmill in front of a television and put on something dealing with athletics and just tune everything else out. That’s very relaxing for me.

WL: Is there something you like to see happen to help education?
TF: I just want everyone to understand the human experience. Any student that helps another is helping the world. Now that also goes for students helping faculty or janitors helping students. A community college is supposed to help with not just education but the community, too.

WL: Any message you like to give to the next president?
TF: Enjoy the job. It’s a wonderful experience.