Dear SDCCE Community,
It is officially August, which means the start of the fall semester is just around the corner—classes begin August 24! As we prepare to welcome students for the fall semester, this is an important time for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to student success. Every interaction, every act of support, and every effort to remove barriers helps students feel confident, connected, and ready to begin their educational journey. Thank you for continuing to go above and beyond to ensure every student experiences the care, encouragement, and excellence that define SDCCE. Together, we will help make this fall semester a strong and successful start for our students.
Enrollment Updates:
Summer Update
SDCCE's overall enrollment for summer stands at 9,573 with a fill rate of 64%. SDCCE's overall headcount is currently 6,696. FTEF scheduled for the summer semester is 14% greater than last summer (80.09 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.
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
SDCCE welcomed prospective students, community members, and aspiring creatives to the Digital Textile Experience Day at West City Campus, where participants explored the future of digital textile arts through engaging, hands-on learning. Attendees experienced textile printing, industrial embroidery, and digital sewing pattern design while connecting with faculty and industry professionals to learn about emerging career opportunities in this innovative and sustainable field. The event showcased SDCCE's commitment to providing accessible, career-focused education that prepares students for the evolving workforce. View more photos on our SDCCE Flickr.
New Healthcare Careers Courses
This fall semester, we are excited to offer new Optical Technician and Ophthalmic Assistant courses in Healthcare Careers!
The Optical Technician program prepares participants for entry-level positions in the optical field as Optical Technicians or Dispensing Opticians, fitting and dispensing eyeglasses and contact lenses.
The Ophthalmic Assistant program prepares participants for entry-level positions supporting eye care professionals in ophthalmology clinics, hospitals, and private practices. Students learn to perform basic eye examinations, operate specialized ophthalmic equipment, and assist with diagnostic procedures.
Please share these new course offerings with students and prospective students!
Free Legal Clinics
Please inform students to register for the Immigration Student Success Program (ISSP) legal clinics taking place tomorrow at Mid-City Campus.
ISSP aims to connect students with trusted legal support offered by Higher Education Legal Services a program of Jewish Family Services where they can receive free legal guidance in a safe and supportive environment.
Please assist students with the registration process here.
If students are unable to attend, please refer them to our ISSP Office at Harbor View Campus, Room 212 to get assistance.
HELS Legal Clinics - Mid-City Continuing Education Campus.
📅 Date: August 4, 2026
📍 Location: Mid-City Campus, Room # 117
Haitian Creole and Spanish interpretation will be available.
Thank you for your continued support and for all you do to assist our students and families.
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.
Additionally, The Tutoring & Learning Center launched its online fall 2026 tutoring enrollment help sessions today! From August 3rd through September 4th, they will help students enroll in the Tutoring course at SDCCE. Please inform students to take advantage of this opportunity.
Please note that enrolled SDCCE students can learn all about our FREE tutoring services, explore the TLCs at ECC, MCC, and Harbor View, AND enroll in a fall tutoring class, all in just 15 minutes!*
Session Details:
- When: Monday–Thursday, 9 AM to 5 PM; Fridays 8:30 AM - 12 PM (Aug 21st & 24th; September 4th)
- Dates: Aug 3rd- Sep 4th
- Where: Online via Zoom
- What: Online "walk-in" enrollment support for SDCCE tutoring classes (ABE445)
Our dedicated tutors will be standing by to help summer students self-enroll quickly and easily. *Please note: these sessions are specifically for tutoring course enrollment, not general enrollment or student services.
A.L.I.C.E. Training
Employees are encouraged to register for ALICE (Alert. Lockdown. Inform. Counter. Evacuate.) Training held Thursday, August 20 from 8am to 12pm at West City Campus to build confidence and preparedness through comprehensive active shooter response and safety training. The session includes an instructor-led PowerPoint presentation followed by hands-on drills and real-world scenarios designed to strengthen emergency response skills.
A minimum of 15 participants is required for the training to take place. This training is open to SDCCE employees only.
For questions, please contact Jasmine Duran at [email protected].
Summer 2026 Career Readiness Series
Please, encourage students to participate in the Summer 2026 Career Readiness Series, offered through Career Transition Services.
These hands-on workshops are designed to support students at any stage of their career journey — whether they're just starting out or making a transition. Sessions cover:
- Resume Writing – Crafting the Perfect Resume & Creating a Winning Resume (Traditional and AI-Powered Strategies)
- Interview Prep – 3 Easy Steps to Ace Your Interview
- Career Exploration – Career Exploration via LinkedIn & Your Best Career Fit
- Foreign Degree Evaluation
- Career Coach (Find out your Basic Skills)
Workshops are held June through August 2026, in hybrid and in-person formats across Harbor View and ECC campuses.
How to Register: Students can sign up on Handshake under Events & Fairs. Zoom links will be sent upon registration.
Please feel free to share this information in your classes, on Canvas, or through any communication channels you use with students. Every connection counts!
Thank you for your continued support of student success.
Communications & Creative Services Team Retreat
The Communications & Creative Services team recently came together for its summer team retreat. The retreat provided an opportunity to connect as a team, collaborate, and look ahead to the many creative projects, events, and initiatives planned for the upcoming academic year. With fresh ideas and renewed energy, the team looks forward to continuing to support the College and bring its stories, programs, and events to life throughout 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.
- The East Wing terrazzo flooring construction is almost complete and set to reopen on August 10, 2026. Thank you for your patience as we finalize this work and look to reopen soon.
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 cardsfor 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 Registrar at Mid-City Campus, Luis Miguel Lopez.
Luis has been with SDCCE for more than four years, serving in a variety of Student Services roles, including supporting the ESL program before stepping into his current role. He is passionate about helping students navigate the enrollment process and supporting them as they work toward their educational and career goals. He also enjoys collaborating with colleagues to improve processes and create a welcoming, student-centered experience.
Outside of work, Luis enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking, exploring new places, and watching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As a former Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, he still enjoys following the sport and watching competitions whenever he can.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Mexico, Luis values working with diverse communities and connecting with students from many different backgrounds.
We appreciate Luis' dedication to supporting our students and creating a positive experience for everyone who walks through our doors. Thank you, Luis, for all that you do!
SPAA Spotlight
This week's SPAA Spotlight shines on our Instructional Support Analyst, Dr. Janay Patton.
Janay joined SDCCE 3.5 years ago after serving as a Senior Student Services Assistant at City College for 4.5 years and as the District's Acting Program Support Technician. She enjoys supporting faculty by ensuring class schedules are accurate and timely while helping new and prospective students navigate ECC.
Outside of work, Janay enjoys completing 1,000-piece puzzles, building LEGO sets, and has recently taken up cross-stitch and crochet.
A dedicated lifelong learner, Janay recently earned her doctoral degree from San Diego State University in Community College Leadership and aspires to become a dean. She also holds three associate degrees from City and Mesa colleges and two master's degrees from SDSU. Janay is proud to be the daughter of two veterans whose military service brought her family to San Diego.
We appreciate her dedication and the many contributions she has made to supporting our faculty, students, and the entire SDCCE community. Thank you, Dr. Patton, for all that you do!
Announcements and Reminders
- 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.
President's Updates:
Congratulations to our Dean, Armin Rashvan, who will soon be welcoming a baby boy! It was a pleasure to attend his baby shower, thoughtfully organized by the Harbor View Campus team. We wish Armin and his family all the best as they prepare for this exciting new chapter!
The Research Corner:
This week, we invite you to read an study "Skills-Based Hiring: The Long Road from Pronouncements to Practice" by Harvard Business School. For all its fanfare, the increased opportunity promised by Skills Based Hiring was borne out in not even 1 in 700 hires. The study may be found on the following link: https://www.hbs.edu/managing-the-future-of-work/Documents/research/Skills-Based%20Hiring.pdf. Please take a minute to review this resource and email [email protected] if you have any questions.
Best,
