Vivien Larsen, a longtime Ohlone Community College District board member, former educator and counselor who dedicated much of her life to helping students, died last week at the age of 80, according to school officials and family.
According to her son Shawn, Larsen died on June 10, after battling cancer since a diagnosis in 2019.
Larsen “was a powerful voice for the community” on the board since 2011, the college district said in a June 11 statement.
“Vivien was a true example to us all,” Eric Bishop, the college district’s president, said in the statement. “In my short time working with her and serving with her in the district, I am inspired by the ways in which she tirelessly continued to raise the standards.”
“She always put the students first. She loved the students, she loved Ohlone College, the faculty, the staff, and her fellow board members,” said Fremont City Councilwoman Teresa Cox, who had served on the college board with Larsen for many years.
“What a big loss for Ohlone,” Cox said.
Larsen was previously a counselor at Newark Memorial High School and vice principal at Newark Middle School. She also taught and held administrative roles in Oakland schools and at California State University, Hayward, now known as CSU East Bay, the college said.
“Her love was so immense,” Larsen’s son Shawn said in an interview Tuesday.
“She ultimately changed many people’s lives,” he said, both by supporting local leaders, community organizations, and working with kids of many backgrounds to “allow them to see a vision to dream and believe in themselves to achieve a college education.”
Larsen also co-founded the nonprofit Avanzando, which aims to “promote the advancement and empowerment of the Latino youth, their families and our community, through education, leadership, and networking opportunities.”
Larsen received many awards for her work in the community, including one for community involvement and service from Rep. Ro Khanna in 2019, and a “community hero” award from State Assemblymember Kansen Chu in 2018.
“Trustee Larsen was a fierce advocate for our students and college. Her passion for equity and commitment to student achievement was unparalleled,” Richard Watters, the college board’s chairman, said in the statement.
“Larsen leaves behind her loving family, close friendships, and a lasting legacy of positive impact and dedication to the Ohlone Community College District,” the district said in its statement.