Palomar College has honored Mathematics Professor Emeritus Cynthia Anfinson with the Woman of the Year Award for her dedication to her students and her efforts to advance racial equity and empower women at the college.
During her 29 years at Palomar College, Anfinson was a leader in supporting STEM students and creating an environment where all students felt welcomed and capable of succeeding in mathematics. She retired in August 2025.
“Professor Emeritus Cindy Anfinson’s legacy is not only measured in years of service, but in the countless lives she has transformed – proving that true leadership in education means opening doors, dismantling barriers, and ensuring every student is seen, supported, and elevated within higher education,” said Hossna Sadat Ahadi, founder of the Empowered Women team at Palomar College.
A native San Diegan, Anfinson began her higher education at Grossmont College before transferring to UC San Diego, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. She earned her master’s degree in applied mathematics at Cornell University, where she studied as a recipient of the prestigious Army Science and Technology Graduate Fellowship.
After she completed graduate school, Anfinson returned to San Diego and began working part-time at Palomar College in 1995 before she was hired full-time a year later.
Anfinson said that mathematics appealed to her nature as a logical person. “I found it challenging, but doable. I like solving math problems,” she said. “I like thinking mathematically.”
Anfinson taught a wide range of math classes at Palomar College, and from 2004 to 2007 served as the college’s Math Center Director. The center, open 50 hours a week, tutored about 800 students a semester.
“Throughout her career at Palomar College, Professor Anfinson consistently prioritized student success. She supported innovative teaching practices such as offering math classes in a hybrid modality and serving as the Math Center Director. She provided students with flexibility in learning and in their schedules, to ensure that students could learn and achieve their educational goals. We are so happy to honor Dr. Anfinson as the 2026 Woman of the Year,” said Interim Superintendent/President, Dr. Tina Recalde.
During her time at Palomar, Anfinson served on numerous committees and councils, including the Student Success and Equity Council, Instructional Planning Council, Basic Skills Committee, AB 705 Committee, and the Strategic Enrollment Management team.
Anfinson was a participant in Palomar College’s Open for Antiracism (OFAR) cohort during the 2023-2024 academic year, which aimed to develop practices to dismantle racism within education.
She said, “she applied what she learned in the program by assigning her students to spotlight a recent mathematician or STEM professional, focusing on a diverse group of mathematicians and STEM professionals from a variety of backgrounds.”
Anfinson said teaching at Palomar College brought her joy and satisfaction. “I love our students,” she said. “I love helping them get through their math classes and let them know about all the amazing supports there are at Palomar. It’s such a privilege to work with these amazing young people.”
Although she’s now officially retired, Anfinson is working on her third math textbook with co-author Mark Clark. “Palomar was a very rewarding place for me to work,” Anfinson said. “I felt like I got a lot of support. I enjoyed the challenge. I have a very soft spot in my heart for Palomar.”
“She said she applied what she learned in the program by assigning her students to spotlight a recent mathematician or STEM professional, focusing on a diverse group of mathematicians and STEM professionals from a variety of backgrounds.”