Dear SDCCE Community,
This past weekend, I had the privilege of walking alongside our students, employees, and community members in the 2026 San Diego Pride Parade as part of the San Diego Community College District team. Participating in one of our region's largest celebrations of diversity and inclusion was a powerful reminder that our commitment to belonging extends far beyond our campuses—it is reflected in how we show up for one another and the communities we serve.
At SDCCE, we are dedicated to creating learning environments where every student feels welcomed, respected, and empowered to achieve their goals. Walking together in Pride was an opportunity to reaffirm those values and celebrate the many identities, experiences, and perspectives that enrich our college community. Thank you to everyone who joined us and proudly represented SDCCE. Your presence demonstrated that when we lead with inclusion, we strengthen not only our college, but our entire community.
Enrollment Updates:
Summer Update
SDCCE's overall enrollment for summer stands at 9,583 with a fill rate of 66%. SDCCE's overall headcount is currently 6,736, a 0.04% increase from last week (6,733). FTEF scheduled for the summer semester is 14% greater than last summer (80.60 to 91.51). View report.
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.
2026 Fall Convocation
As we prepare to embark on another academic year, I am delighted to invite you to our 2026 Fall Convocation on Wednesday, August 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Town & Country Resort. This new venue offers expanded capacity, greater parking convenience, and increased scheduling flexibility to better accommodate our growing college community while our beloved ECC Theatre undergoes an exciting renovation.
This year's theme, Connected in Purpose, reflects the strength of our college community and the powerful connections that unite us in service to our students.
If you plan to attend Fall Convocation, an RSVP is required to receive complimentary parking validation at check-in, along with exclusive, limited-edition Convocation swag. We strongly encourage carpooling or ride-sharing whenever possible and recommend arriving early. Doors will open at 7:30 a.m., and the program will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m.
For more details, including additional FAQs, please visit the registration page.
Please confirm your attendance with your supervisor and submit your RSVP by August 10, 2026.
Stay tuned for more details about the event, the full Fall 2026 Flex Week schedule, and program meeting locations.
Digital Textile Experience Day
Spread the word about SDCCE's Digital Textile Experience Day on Wednesday, July 29 at the West City Campus. Students can choose from two sessions: 11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. or 4:00–6:30 p.m.
This free, hands-on event introduces students to careers in digital textile arts through interactive activities, including textile printing, industrial embroidery, and digital sewing pattern design. Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with faculty and industry professionals while exploring how technology is shaping the future of sustainable textiles.
Whether students are exploring a new career path or looking to expand their creative skills, this is a great opportunity to discover what's possible in the world of digital textiles.
Prospective and current students can also sign up to attend on Eventbrite.
CALWORKs presents: Cafecito with the Counselors
Encourage students to join the interest list to receive details about a monthly workshop, where they will enjoy:
- Meet and greet with CalWORKs Counselors
- Safe space for conversations
- Increase sense of belonging on campus
- Participate in Workshops and Special Events
Get ready to RISE and SHINE!
Questions or Accommodations? Contact CALWORKS at [email protected]
Tutoring & Learning Center at SDCCE
Help set our students up for success by encouraging them to take advantage of the free academic support and resources available through SDCCE's Tutoring and Learning Center (TLC). To learn more about the services and support the TLC offers, check out this new video!
The TLC at ECC has extended its hours through August 5 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until 6:30 pm the following dates:
Extended Hours (9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.):
- Tuesdays: July 22, July 29, and August 4
- Wednesdays: July 23, July 30, and August 5
Online tutoring is also available for the same hours as our TLC at ECC is open.
Students must enroll in tutoring to schedule an online tutoring appointment. For more information and to learn more, students can visit any TLC, email [email protected], or call (619) 388-4611.
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.
- East Wing construction phasing continues through August 14, 2026. During this time, portions of the East Wing will be inaccessible.
- The District and Facilities teams met with PCL and HGA to review the completed abatement for the ECC Theatre renovation, discuss construction progress, and address upcoming minor repairs.
- The PIO team, Facilities team, and ECC Theatre Director met with HGA and PCL and finalized the design and materials used for the campus hours signage. Additional signage layout progress was also discussed.
*Please note the following updates to the previously distributed campus impact notification for the East Wing terrazzo flooring.
- Student Services has been temporarily relocated to Room C120 during construction.
- ESL Placement Office has been relocated to room C104.
- The faculty work room is relocated to room 81 (8AM - 10PM)
- Faculty mail will be temporarily redirected to Room C115 for pickup during the construction period. For access to a Lactation Room, please see Student Services in Room C120.
Please contact Julia Molina Sanchez for questions about the temporary faculty workroom 81, mail, or lactation room.
Employee breakroom and the Student Lounge (Room 129) will remain open and accessible throughout construction. While the East Wing restrooms are unavailable, restrooms located in the South Wing and Building C will remain open and accessible. Please refer to the path-of-travel site plan (below), which reflects these updates and provides guidance on accessing services and amenities during the construction period
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.
Mid-City Campus Expansion: The District, SDCCE, and Facilities teams met with Hensel Phelps and Carrier Johnson and discussed room layouts, wayfinding and accessibility opportunities, equipment, and student lounge needs for the new Mid-City Expansion Campus.
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 Senior Student Services Assistant, Leroy Williams.
Leroy has dedicated more than 26 years to San Diego College of Continuing Education, building a career centered on service, student support, and giving back. Before joining SDCCE, he spent 20 years serving in a variety of subordinate and leadership roles as a U.S. Navy Petty Officer before transitioning into customer service and sales positions. He later joined the college as a Student Services Assistant supporting CalWORKs intake, a role that helped pave the way to his current position.
Inspired by the encouragement and support he received as a VA Work Study student, Leroy has made it his mission to pay that support forward by helping students navigate their educational journeys. His commitment to serving others continues to make a meaningful impact on the SDCCE community.
Outside of work, Leroy enjoys spending quality time with his family and believes in maintaining a positive attitude in all that he does. Family is at the heart of his life—he is the proud father of six children and four stepchildren, grandfather to 18 grandchildren, and great-grandfather to one great-granddaughter.
Faculty Spotlight
This week's Faculty Spotlight shines on Art Instructor, Stevan Dupus.
Stevan Dupus is a San Diego-based LGBTQ+ artist, painter, and educator whose passion for art began at a young age after a transformative visit to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri. After initially pursuing a career in computer programming, Stevan returned to his creative roots, studying art at San Diego City College before earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees from California State University, Long Beach.
Stevan joined San Diego College of Continuing Education as an adjunct Art Instructor in 2021 and has also taught at institutions including California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach City College, Golden West College, Santa Ana College, Palomar College, and San Diego City College. His artwork is inspired by his experiences within the LGBTQ+ community and has been featured in exhibitions throughout California and beyond, including the KPBS documentary San Diego Gay Bar History.
Outside of the classroom, Stevan enjoys painting, photography, video games, audiobooks, spending time with friends, and a good wine and cheese pairing. Through his art and teaching, Stevan continues to inspire students to explore creativity, build confidence, and embrace their own artistic journeys.
Manager Spotlight
This month's Manager Spotlight shines on our Assistant Dean of Career Technical Education, Brad Dorschel.
Brad's passion for the work at SDCCE comes from seeing the direct impact that noncredit career education and pathways have on students' lives by creating opportunities for meaningful career advancement and economic mobility.
Brad has been part of the SDCCE community for 10 years, serving in a variety of roles, including faculty member, Department Chair, and Academic Senate Secretary. Through his leadership and commitment to student success, he continues to support programs and initiatives that help students achieve their educational and career goals.
Outside of work, Brad enjoys spending time with his wife and blended family, staying active, and remaining engaged in his church and local community. His dedication to service extends beyond the college, reflecting the values of connection, leadership, and community that he brings to SDCCE.
Reminders and Updates:
- Do you know an employee making a difference at SDCCE? Help us recognize those outstanding contributions by submitting an Employee Spotlight! Selected spotlights will be featured in future editions of the weekly President's Message and other college communications as we celebrate the people who make SDCCE an exceptional place to learn and work.
- As we update our CE Birthday List, employees who would like to receive a birthday greeting from President King are invited to complete the Birthday List Form; if you've already signed up, no further action is needed.
- 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 14.
- 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:
This week, I'm spending time teaching in the SDSU Ed.D. Community College Leadership (CCLEAD) program. Teaching while serving as a college president is one of the most meaningful aspects of my work because it creates a direct connection between leadership in practice and leadership in the classroom. It allows me to share real-world experiences, learn alongside emerging leaders, and engage in thoughtful conversations about the opportunities and challenges facing our colleges today.
The Research Corner:
This week, we invite you to read an opinion paper "Applying AI To Rebuild Middle Class Jobs" by National Bureau of Economic Research. The author argues that AI, if used well, can assist with restoring the middle-skill, middle-class heart of the US labor market that has been hollowed out by automation and globalization. The paper may be found on the following link: https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w32140/w32140.pdf. Please take a minute to review this resource and email [email protected] if you have any questions.
Best,
