Dear SDCCE Community,
Last week was nothing short of amazing as we celebrated the achievements of our graduates at the 2026 Commencement. This year, we awarded a record-breaking 11,122 diplomas and certificates, more than 400 graduates crossed the stage surrounded by the support of over 2,200 family members, friends, and loved ones who came together to celebrate this milestone, and another 700+ supporters tuned in via the commencement livestream.
The ceremony was a powerful reminder of the dedication, resilience, and success of our students and the supportive community that helps make their accomplishments possible. Thank you to everyone who played a role in making this year's commencement a memorable celebration of educational achievement and new beginnings.
Read more of the commencement recap and view the beautiful moments captured on our SDCCE Flickr album. We encourage you to download photos and share them on social media.
Enrollment Updates:
Summer Update
SDCCE's overall enrollment for summer stands at 8,925 (36% less than this time last year, and a 12% increase from last week), with a fill rate of 70%, which is less than last summer (83%). SDCCE's overall headcount is currently 6,423, a decrease of 35% compared to this time last summer (9,828) and a 12% increase from last week (5,748). FTEF scheduled for the summer semester is 11% greater than last summer (80.24 to 88.89). View report.
Spring Update
SDCCE's overall enrollment for spring stands at 26,652 (11% less than this time last year), with a fill rate of 62%, which is less than last spring (70%). SDCCE's overall headcount is currently 14,324, a decrease of 9% compared to this time last spring (15,696). FTEF scheduled for the spring semester is 9% greater than last spring (195.94 to 213.99).
Connect with the President:
I'm excited to continue offering the opportunity to Walk with the President! If you'd rather take a stroll around the Educational Cultural Complex instead of a Zoom meeting, join me for a refreshing walk as we continue to prioritize wellness. Don't forget to wear comfortable walking shoes!
Individual walks or zoom meetings will be 20 minutes and are available on a first come first-served basis. If you would like to schedule an appointment with me, please email [email protected] for detailed information.
Lastly, you can utilize the anonymous sharing box. Your voice matters, and I look forward to continuing the conversation.
Summer Classes and Student Support
Summer classes are underway, bringing new opportunities for students to learn, grow, and advance their careers. Encourage students to explore SDCCE's programs and take the next step toward achieving their educational and professional goals by visiting sdcce.edu.
Please remind students that they have access to basic needs resources through SDCCE Cares, and critical wrap around supports such as the Black Student Success Program, LGBTQIA+ Student Success Program, Immigrant Student Success Program, Rising Scholars, Veteran's Services, and others that our college offers.
Student Leadership
The votes have been counted and Associated Students of the San Diego College of Continuing Education has a new slate of executive officers:
- President & Student Trustee: Luis Miguel Ecarri
- Vice President: Luz Hiasnaia Agudelo
- Secretary: Vinzent Balaoing
- Treasurer: Svetlana Krylova
As President, Luis Miguel Ecarri will serve as a student trustee on the San Diego Community College District's Board of Trustees. Congratulations to all of our student leaders!
Pride Month Celebration
June is Pride Month! Join us on Tuesday, June 9 at the Educational Cultural Complex Front Lawn from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM for our Pride Celebration! This special event will feature a keynote speaker and live performances as we come together to honor and celebrate Pride. Lunch will be provided, and all members of our community are invited to attend. For accommodations, please contact: [email protected]
STAR Conference 2026
The annual STAR Conference for Classified Professionals returns on Thursday, June 11, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Harbor View Campus. This special day of professional development, networking, and recognition is designed to celebrate the invaluable contributions of our classified professionals while providing opportunities for growth, learning, and connection with colleagues across the college.
Attendees will enjoy a full day of engaging sessions, along with complimentary breakfast and lunch. We look forward to coming together to recognize and celebrate the dedication, excellence, and impact of our classified professionals.
Please RSVP and select your preferred session by Monday, June 8, to confirm your attendance.
Save the Date
Join us at the Educational Cultural Complex Front Lawn on June 18 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. as we honor Juneteenth, a day of reflection, celebration, and recognition of the enduring contributions, history, and culture of the Black community. This special event will bring students, employees, and community members together to commemorate freedom, promote learning, and celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion across our college community.
More details coming soon.
ECC Theatre Renovation
The ECC Theatre Renovation continues to make progress!
- The construction site is active Monday - Friday, 7am - 3:30pm.
- Check out the demolition of the second level deck on the live stream link: ECC Theatre Renovation.
New flooring is coming to ECC and the project team is coordinating with the contractor to minimize disruptions by providing temporary signage, directional pathways, ADA-accessible restroom trailers, and other accommodations to support continued campus operations and instructional continuity throughout construction. Please see additional details below:
Visit the project webpage to learn more and stay up to date with the progress via livestream.
Thank you to our Theatre Director, Silvia Nogales, for playing a pivotal role in the theatre renovation and for keeping us informed on its progress. You can now follow the theatre on Facebook and Instagram @Educational Cultural Complex Theatre & Community Room.
Bond Projects Update:
The current Measure HH Bond projects for our college continue to make progress. We have also developed a current projects page with updates on each project and the SDCCD Measure HH webpage has further updates.
Safety, Inclusion, and Belonging (SIB) Task Force Updates:
The Safety, Inclusion, and Belonging (SIB) Task Force meets monthly to further our conversations on continuing to implement proactive strategies for immigration and safety challenges, as well as the importance of reporting any sightings of ICE on campus to the Chancellor or District General Counsel. Reports of ICE near campus (off campus) should first be directed to the COS, who, in collaboration with the Deans, will take appropriate and informed next steps to address the situation.
We have a dedicated webpage with Know Your Rights Information, District protocols, resources, and more curated by our Safety, Inclusion, and Belonging Task Force.
Please take a moment to review the safety cards for navigating ICE incidents on campus. These resources are designed to guide employees on the steps for reporting.
Classified Professional Spotlight
This week's Classified Professional Spotlight shines on our Administrative Assistant IV to the Dean of Automotive, Skilled and Technical Trades, Lisa Munoz.
For the past 34 years, Lisa has been a dedicated member of the San Diego Community College District family, serving primarily at the Educational Cultural Complex while also supporting students and staff at Centre City and Harbor View. She finds the greatest joy in helping others and takes pride in seeing students achieve their educational goals and reach new milestones.
When she's not at work, Lisa enjoys spending quality time with her family and her two beloved pets, Bear and Lily. Her commitment to service, positive spirit, and love for the SDCCE community make her a valued member of the ECC family.
Faculty Spotlight
This week's Faculty Spotlight shines on one of our Counselors, Dr. Lisa Carulli. Her journey to higher education began in an unexpected place—the professional surfing circuit. After moving to the West Coast to pursue competitive surfing, she spent 11 years on the professional tour while simultaneously earning her degrees and building a foundation for a career dedicated to student success.
Dr. Carulli began her career at SDCCE as a counselor in the Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Program, helping students recovering from traumatic brain injuries navigate their educational and career goals. She later expanded her impact by teaching courses at the CE Mesa Campus before joining the general counseling team, where she continued her commitment to student success and equity.
Today, she serves students through counseling, leadership, and advocacy roles, including as the LGBTQIA+ Student Success Coordinator and Site Compliance Officer. Earlier this year, she was inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame, adding another remarkable achievement to her already impressive career.
Outside of work, Dr. Carulli continues to enjoy surfing, practices yoga, and cherishes time spent with her son, Jojo, her "pseudo son," Ben, and her beloved pets.
SPAA Spotlight
This month's SPAA Spotlight shines on Brenna Leon Sandeford, who has served as the college's Public Information Officer (PIO) since 2023. In this role, she leads the college's marketing, communications, public relations strategy, social and digital media, website, and creative services efforts, all in support of the SDCCE community.
An equity-focused leader and advocate, Brenna is passionate about creating an inclusive educational environment where all learners feel empowered to succeed. She believes storytelling is a powerful catalyst for connection, inspiration, and transformation. Through her work, she amplifies student and employee voices and helps ensure their experiences, achievements, and aspirations are recognized and celebrated.
Brenna holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism with a minor in Marketing and a master's degree in Postsecondary Educational Leadership from San Diego State University. She is also currently enrolled in a joint doctoral program in Education at Claremont Graduate University and San Diego State University. Her educational background provides a unique perspective on the intersection of education, communications, and media, enabling her to develop impactful marketing and communication strategies for the college.
Her commitment to student success and educational equity continues to guide her work and leadership. Outside of work, Brenna enjoys staying active through fitness, specifically Pilates and cycling, attending sporting events, traveling, spending time with family and friends, exploring creative projects, and enjoying the excitement of wedding planning as a 2026 bride-to-be.
Reminders and Announcements
- A reminder that all San Diego College of Continuing Education campuses are closed on Fridays for the summer. Campuses will resume normal Monday to Friday operations after August 7.
- The SDCCE 2025–2026 Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) End-of-Year Report has been released and is now available for review.
- Congratulations to Dr. Marne Foster on successfully completing the Faculty Empowerment and Leadership Academy (FELA) through the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges! Dr. Foster will be honored during a pinning ceremony in Long Beach. This accomplishment reflects her commitment to leadership, professional growth, and advancing excellence in higher education.
- Congratulations to Karl Cameron, Diana Black-Tucker, Kirsten Lollis, Yassin (Yas) Alhennawy, Dr. Chinazom Iwuaba, Dr. Marne Foster, Mohammad Arif Mayar, and Diya Spelman for completing the SDCCD's Faculty Leadership Academy May 8th.
- Thank you to Chef Megan Leppert and Dr. Marne Foster for co-facilitating a three-hour restorative practices workshop at West City Campus titled Restorative Practices in Action – Professional Learning Community. During the session, they shared both the science and Indigenous wisdom that inform restorative practices and circle work and then guided faculty through the listening circle experience.
- Visit the Administrative Services Intranet to access campus safety resources and stay informed with the latest updates.
- A reminder that all requests of the Communications Department must be approved by a dean or vice president and requires submission of a request form. You can find the Project Request Form link on the Faculty and Staff Resources Page of our website. Allow ten working days for a request to be completed. If a request needs immediate attention, please complete the form and contact the Public Information Officer.
- For SDCCE professional development opportunities, visit the professional development web page for upcoming workshops.
President's Updates:
- Thank you to everyone who joined me at the VIP Reception during Commencement 2026. It was a pleasure to celebrate the culmination of another exceptional year. More photos of the reception are available on our Flickr.
- I am currently away enjoying some much-needed vacation time with my family, but I remain committed to staying connected through my weekly President's Message. While the weekly video updates will be temporarily paused during my time away, I will continue sharing written updates each week. I look forward to returning with stories and photos from our family vacation to share in a future President's Message. Thank you for your continued support, and I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer as well ありがとうございます (Arigatō gozaimasu)!
The Research Corner:
This week, we invite you to take a look at the Living Wage Calculation for San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA published by Living wage Institute using MIT Living Wage Calculator. The calculation may be found on the following link: https://livingwage.mit.edu/metros/41740?utm_source=chatgpt.com. Please take a minute to review this resource and email [email protected] if you have any questions.
Best,
