Dear SDCCE Community,
I hope everyone enjoyed a restful Labor Day weekend and returned recharged and ready to continue supporting our shared mission of student success. As we move further into the fall semester, let's continue to make space for our students' voices and recognize the important role they play in shaping our college community.
This semester also marks an important milestone in SDCCE's history. For the first time ever, the college has officially transitioned from a six-year to a seven-year accreditation cycle, extending the college's accreditation through June 30, 2031. The adjustment aligns SDCCE's accreditation timeline with those of the district's credit colleges while maintaining ACS WASC's highest level of accreditation. Under the revised cycle, SDCCE will submit a Mid-Cycle Progress Report in June 2028 and will not host an evaluation visit at that time. WASC accreditation affirms the quality and effectiveness of an institution's educational programs and its commitment to ongoing improvement and student success. While SDCCE has previously transitioned from a six-year to a seven-year cycle, this is the first time the college has done so under ACS WASC's current accreditation model while maintaining its highest confidence level, making this milestone especially meaningful. Congratulations SDCCE!
Enrollment Updates:
Fall Update
SDCCE's overall enrollment for fall stands at 22,539 (a 3% increase from last week), with a fill rate of 69%, which is equal to last fall (69%). SDCCE's overall headcount is currently 12,130, (a 2% increase from last week (11,892). FTEF scheduled for the fall semester is 10% greater than last fall (194.71 to 214.17). 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.
Harbor View Restorative Renaming Circles
Last week's Restorative Renaming Circles for Harbor View Campus offered students, employees, and community members an opportunity to share their perspectives and ideas about the future name of the campus. These conversations remind us that listening is an important part of how we grow, strengthen our community, and move forward together. I encourage our community to continue participating in this process, with additional sessions taking place later this month and in early October.
Paid Content Creator Opportunity
3fold, the agency partner for San Diego Community College District (SDCCD), is accepting interest forms from currently enrolled SDCCD students who would like to apply to participate as paid content creators.
Selected students will film short-form video content documenting their real student experience for use across official SDCCD platforms for the district's upcoming enrollment campaign.
IDEAL CANDIDATES:
- Current Fall 2026 enrolled student
- Comfortable filming, creating and/or appearing in short-form video content
- Represents the diverse student community
- Large social media following not required, but interested in social media content creation is a plus
THIS OPPORTUNITY INCLUDES:
- Compensation for content creation
- Real-world portfolio experience
- Exposure across a major regional college district's platforms
Application Deadline: September 9, 2026.
Connecting Students to Career Opportunities
For SDCCE students, a strong community partnership can open the door to new opportunities—and create pathways to help others along the way.
SDCCE's ESL program has a long-standing partnership with MAKE Projects, a hyperlocal farm, cafe, and social enterprise that empowers refugee and immigrant women through food, agriculture, and community. Zahra Ahmed is one inspiring example of the impact of this partnership.
An SDCCE student and former participant in MAKE Projects' paid job-readiness program, Zahra is now a program assistant who was recently featured by KPBS for her work supporting refugee and immigrant women in San Diego.
After moving to San Diego from Sudan in 2020, Zahra found support and opportunity through MAKE Projects. Today, she helps women facing similar challenges access job training, case management, and community resources.
Read more about Zahra's story, MAKE Projects, and the partnership in the KPBS feature.
Welcome Week
Welcome Week has officially wrapped up! Across our campuses, employees came together to connect with students, share important resources, and help kick off the fall semester with great energy.
Thank you to everyone who helped make Welcome Week a success and to our students who stopped by, connected with resources, and made the week special. The momentum continues as we support our students throughout the semester!
Take a look at more Welcome Week moments on our SDCCE Flickr.
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 District team, Facilities team, ECC Theatre Director, College Technology Director, and Measure HH Liaison (Regions 1 & 3) met in person at the ECC campus with PCL and HGA. They shared progress photos and discussed the project progress, construction schedule, equipment shipping, and finalizing the lenticular wall design.
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.
- The District team, Facilities team, and Measure HH Liaison (Regions 1 & 3) met remotely with DPR, HGW, H+W Engineering and McParlane & Associates to discuss the expansion building layout, plumbing schematics, restroom configurations, equipment needs, and future configurations of the heating systems.
- Vice President of Administrative Services, Jacqueline Sabanos, CE Mesa COS, Clarence Singh, Dean of DSPS & Emeritus Programs, Vangie Akridge, District team, Facilities team, Music & Arts Instruction team, Measure HH team, and Measure HH Liaison (Regions 1 & 3) met in person at the CE Mesa campus with Mosher Drew to discuss the project scopes for the CE Mesa Ceramics Project. They discussed the layout of the Ceramics area and classroom and shared visualizations of the ceramics area and kilns. They discussed how one large classroom will be split into two classrooms, one for Ceramics and one for Arts classes. They also discussed accessibility, storage needs, A/V configurations, and HyFlex opportunities.
- The District team, Facilities team, and Measure HH Liaison (Regions 1 & 3) met remotely with Hensel Phelps, Carrier Johnson + Culture, McParlane & Associates, and the Verdical Group. They discussed building, floor, and classroom layout. They also discussed security, plumbing, electrical, lighting, and battery management systems. Additionally, they discussed temperature control, heating systems, and eyewash and mop station needs for the culinary lab. Lastly, they discussed lockable, secure storage possibilities and A/V configurations.
Safety, Inclusion, and Belonging (SIB) Task Force Updates:
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 Job Development and Placement Specialist, Sandy Hamel!
Sandy supports students across all seven SDCCE campuses through Career Transition Services, helping students in skilled and technical trades, health careers, and beyond prepare for the workforce through workshops, one-on-one guidance, and connections with employers and community partners. Since joining the San Diego Community College District in 2017, Sandy has worked in HR, professional development, and now career services—building on her passion for helping people find the right career fit. She is also looking forward to leading SDCCE's districtwide Spring 2027 Career Fair at North City Campus.
Outside of work, Sandy enjoys following the WNBA and NWSL, exploring social justice issues, and spending time in the water through scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, and swimming. At home, she and her wife, Mariela, stay busy with their three dogs.
Faculty Spotlight
This week's Faculty Spotlight shines on Chef Lee Blackmore, a cornerstone of SDCCE's Culinary Arts program for more than 20 years. Chef Lee began teaching as an adjunct instructor in 2002 and became an associate professor in 2005, bringing decades of culinary and industry experience into the classroom.
He studied Culinary Arts at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco and holds a business degree from the University of Phoenix, along with additional training in food service technology. Known for his steady guidance and dedication to student success, Chef Lee helps students develop practical, real-world skills that extend well beyond the classroom.
We appreciate Chef Lee's lasting impact across the SDCCE community. His commitment to teaching, mentorship, and student success continues to help shape the next generation of culinary professionals.
Announcements:
- The latest WBL newsletter is now available, providing a recap of the recent workshop along with key reporting highlights, PeopleSoft section-coding guidance, information on the WBL Student Support Module, and additional resources to support faculty.
- The second issue of the Administrative Services Safety Newsletter is now available to read, featuring timely updates, resources, and guidance to help keep our college community informed, prepared, and supported on matters related to campus safety and emergency preparedness.
- 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.
- 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:
- Dr. Boger, the Executive President's Cabinet and I toured the ECC Theatre to stay updated on the progress of this important renovation. It was an opportunity to see the work underway firsthand and learn more about the continued improvements taking shape within the space.
- I recently participated in a conversation centered on the importance of embracing leadership, regardless of the role you serve. The discussion explored how each of us can lead with purpose, contribute to our communities, and make an impact through the work we do. Watch the recorded webinar to hear more from me and the other participants.
- The Executive Governance Council recently gathered for a retreat at the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA centered on staying Connected in Purpose. The retreat provided us an opportunity to reflect, connect, and align around shared goals and priorities as SDCCE continues moving forward together.
The Research Corner:
This week, we invite you to read a study "The Class Gap in Career Progression: Evidence from US academia" according to which first-generation college graduates are 10% less likely to be tenured at an R1, are tenured at institutions ranked 11% lower, earn 3% less, and report 5% lower job satisfaction, than their former PhD classmates. The study may be found on the following link: https://mitsloan.mit.edu/shared/ods/documents?PublicationDocumentID=10774. Please take a minute to review this resource and email [email protected] if you have any questions.
Best,
