Dear SDCCE Community,
Over the weekend, SDCCE was proudly represented at a meaningful community celebration honoring history, culture, and artistic legacy. Welding faculty member Mike Bradbury and Instructional Assistant Byron Coward played a key role in the restoration of the Black Family Statue, which was officially unveiled at Neal Petties Mountain View Community Park. The restored sculpture pays tribute to the original 1974 artwork by the late artist in residence at ECC, Rossie Wade and stands as a lasting symbol of community and heritage.
SDCCE Outreach also participated in the park's Juneteenth celebration, connecting with community members and sharing educational opportunities while celebrating freedom, resilience, and progress. Thank you to everyone who helped showcase SDCCE's commitment to preserving history, strengthening community partnerships, and expanding access to education.
Read more on ABC10's coverage of the monumental event.
Enrollment Updates
Summer Update
SDCCE's overall enrollment for summer stands at 9,328 (less than this time last year, and a 5% increase from last week), with a fill rate of 78%, which is less than last summer (83%). SDCCE's overall headcount is currently 6,641, a decrease compared to this time last summer (10,016) and a 3% increase from last week (6,423). FTEF scheduled for the summer semester is 12% greater than last summer (80.09 to 89.98). View report.
Spring Update
SDCCE's overall enrollment for spring stands at 26,391 (10% less than this time last year), with a fill rate of 61%, which is less than last spring (67%). SDCCE's overall headcount is currently 14,285, a decrease compared to this time last spring (15,641). 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 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.
Pride Celebration
Last week, the SDCCE community came together for a meaningful Pride Celebration filled with joy, reflection, and connection. The event featured an inspiring keynote presentation by KishaLynn Elliott (she/her) who is the Executive Director of San Diego Pride, vibrant performances by Lady Blanca, lunch by Sisters Pizza, and memorable moments that celebrated the strength, diversity, and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community. Thank you to everyone who helped create a welcoming and inclusive space where every member of our community feels seen, valued, and celebrated. View more photos on our SDCCE Flickr.
STAR Conference 2026
The STAR Conference for Classified Professionals brought colleagues together for a day of professional development, networking, and celebration at Harbor View Campus. Attendees participated in engaging sessions, connected with peers from across the college, and took time to recognize the dedication and invaluable contributions of SDCCE's classified professionals. The annual event highlighted the important role classified professionals play in advancing student success and strengthening our college community.
View more photos on our SDCCE Flickr.
Save the Date
Join us for our Juneteenth Celebration on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the Educational Cultural Complex front lawn from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Together, we will reflect on the significance of freedom, celebrate culture and community, and explore the ongoing pursuit of equity and opportunity for all. The event will include music by Myesha Henderson, a dance presentation by Brian Bennett, poetry by Msz. England, and a "Freedom in the Future" presentation by Dr. LaWana Richmond.
Lunch will be provided and everyone is welcome!
Check-in for the event will be required. We hope to see you there.
For accommodations, please contact: [email protected]
2026–27 Associated Students President and Student Trustee
Last week, SDCCE proudly celebrated the swearing-in of the 2026–27 Associated Students President and Student Trustee at the SDCCD Board Meeting. Congratulations to President and Student Trustee Luis Miguel Ecarri (pictured left) as he embarks on these important leadership roles, representing and advocating for the voices of our students. We are excited to see the positive contributions he will make and the impact he will have on our college community in the year ahead.
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
- We have officially reached the 50% construction completion milestone. This achievement reflects the dedication and teamwork of our project partners and represents an exciting step forward as we continue building a space that will serve our students and community for years to come.
- 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:
- Campus Impact - Terrazzo Flooring
- Campus Impact - Terrazzo Schedule
- 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 new Bond Communications Coordinator, Khalid Elfaki!
Khalid supports SDCCE's social media, communications, and outreach efforts, keeping the campus and community informed about Measure HH activities and bond-funded projects. He has been part of SDCCE for three years, previously serving as a Student Success Specialist in the Outreach Department, where he supported social media content production and management for three years. His experience in education began as a TRiO Peer Mentor at UC San Diego, and he also brings a background as a graphic designer and illustrator. He is also fluent in Arabic.
Beyond his professional work, Khalid enjoys learning about all things craft-related, including cooking, woodworking, and painting. He also loves illustrating, crocheting, and exploring new restaurants and cafés throughout San Diego.
Faculty Spotlight
This week's Faculty Spotlight shines on our Associate ESL Instructor and WIOA Grant Coordinator, Magdalena Kwiatkowski.
With more than 20 years at SDCCE, Magdalena has dedicated her career to helping students achieve their goals through language education and workforce development. Originally from Poland, she came to the U.S. to pursue a Ph.D. in Second Language Education and now teaches Intermediate/Advanced ESL Reading while coordinating the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity (WIOA) grant.
Passionate about student success, Magdalena is inspired by helping learners build meaningful lives and contribute their talents to their communities. In her free time, she enjoys making gemstone jewelry with her granddaughters and studying medieval manuscript illuminations.
Reminders
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
I am continuing to enjoy some much-needed vacation time with my family while staying connected through my weekly President's Message. Together, we have had the incredible opportunity to explore many of Japan's remarkable destinations, including Shibuya, Kyoto, Osaka, Ginza, and Shinjuku. Each place offers its own unique beauty, history, and energy while reflecting the rich traditions that make this country so extraordinary.
From peaceful temples and breathtaking gardens to bustling city streets and unforgettable local cuisine, every experience has been a reminder of the importance of community, heritage, and connection. What has stood out to me most is the culture of respect, kindness, and intentionality that is woven into everyday life. Whether through simple acts of courtesy, pride in craftsmanship, or the care people show for one another and their surroundings, there is much to admire and learn.
Travel has a wonderful way of broadening our perspectives, strengthening family bonds, and reminding us of the shared values that unite us across cultures. My family and l are grateful for these experiences and the lasting memories we are creating together, and | look forward to sharing more stories and photos from our journey.
ありがとうございます (Arigatō gozaimasu)! 🇯🇵❤️
The Research Corner
This week, we invite you to check out a table of 20 occupations with the highest projected numeric change in employment in the US, 2024 - 2034 published in U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. The table shows the occupations with the largest projected numeric job growth, measured by the total number of jobs added. Unlike percentage growth, which reflects how quickly an occupation expands relative to its current size, numeric growth counts the absolute increase in employment. The table may be found on the following link: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/most-new-jobs.htm. Please take a minute to review this resource and email [email protected] if you have any questions.
Best,
