Dear SDCCE Community,
I want to take a moment to acknowledge the recent events that took place at City College involving ICE and student Renatho Casseus. It was a deeply distressing and devastating event, and we recognize that many of our students and members of our campus community may be experiencing heightened feelings of fear, anxiety, uncertainty, and stress in response to the news.
During times like these, it is more important than ever that we look out for one another and foster a campus environment grounded in compassion, care, respect, and support. We recognize that for many of our students, our campuses are not only places to pursue their education, but also important spaces where they should feel safe, welcomed, and supported as they work toward their goals.
Please know that you do not have to navigate these feelings alone. We are committed to supporting our students and ensuring that they have access to the resources, services, and caring individuals who can help during difficult and uncertain times. Student Services is compiling a list of all available resources to support students, such as mental health, transportation, and legal services. If you or someone you know is struggling, I encourage you to reach out to the support services available through our campus. Also, below in the Safety, Inclusion, and Belonging section is the ICE reporting card to refer to if you see ICE on campus and the steps for reporting.
As a community, let us continue to lead with empathy, look out for one another, and create an environment where every student feels seen, valued, and supported. Together, we can ensure that our campuses remain places where students can come to learn, grow, and pursue their educational goals with a sense of belonging and community.
Enrollment Updates
Fall Update
SDCCE's overall enrollment for fall stands at 22,684 (a 1% increase from last week), with a fill rate of 68%. SDCCE's overall headcount is currently 12,187, a 0.5% increase from last week (12,130). FTEF scheduled for the fall semester is 10% greater than last fall (196.00 to 214.94). View report.
We did it! We reached 109% of our FTES enrollment target for the 2025-2026 academic year; a tremendous achievement that reflects the dedication of our students, faculty, classified professionals, NANCE, and administrators. This milestone represents more than a number. It reflects growing demand for the education and training opportunities we provide and the collective effort of our entire college community to help students reach their goals. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this achievement.
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.
Navigating Uncertainty
Join us for a supportive wellness session addressing the stress and uncertainty that may arise from the recent ICE activity in our campus communities. The College of Continuing Education Mental Health Counselors will share practical tools and grounding strategies to support emotional well-being, along with information about local community resources. Open to ALL City, Mesa, Miramar, and CE students! For additional questions, contact Be Well CCE at [email protected].
This summer, our CNA program had another round of Kearny Mesa High School students complete the program! Congratulations to each of these students on reaching this exciting milestone. Their hard work, commitment, and determination are a true reflection of what is possible when students are given meaningful opportunities to explore career pathways while still in high school.
We are especially proud to see the power of dual enrollment in action—providing students with the opportunity to earn a certificate, gain valuable hands-on experience, and take important steps toward their future careers. We can't wait to see where these students go next.
Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month Celebration
Tomorrow, September 15, marks the beginning of Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month! We're excited to kick off the academic year by celebrating the rich cultures, histories, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities.
Please join us for our first cultural event of the academic year on September 24 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at the Harbor View Campus. This special celebration will be an opportunity to come together as a community, learn from one another, and enjoy the many vibrant traditions that make Hispanic and Latinx cultures so unique.
The event will feature an engaging presentation by Monica Delgadillo Hernandez, exciting performances by Somos La Voz, poetry by Julie Corrales, and delicious food by SALUD! Whether you're looking to learn something new, celebrate your heritage, or simply connect with friends and colleagues, we hope you'll join us. Everyone is welcome!
Check-in will be required for the event. We hope to see you there!
For accommodations, please contact [email protected]
Congratulations to Our 2026-2027 Student Trustee!
Please join us in congratulating Hiasnaia Agudelo Cano, our 2026–2027 SDCCE Student Trustee, who recently participated in her first Board of Trustees meeting!
This is an exciting milestone and an important opportunity for Hiasnaia to bring the student voice and perspective to the district's highest governing body. As Student Trustee, she will serve as a representative for SDCCE students and help ensure that their experiences, ideas, and priorities are part of the conversations that shape our college community.
We are excited to welcome Hiasnaia into this leadership role and look forward to the contributions she will make throughout the coming academic year. Congratulations, Hiasnaia, and best wishes for a successful year of leadership and service!
Campus Built Together: Harbor View Renaming
The Harbor View Campus renaming process is officially underway, and we're grateful to everyone who is taking the time to participate and share their perspective. The renaming survey has officially launched, and students and employees have received an email with the link to provide their feedback and recommendations.
Participation is open to the entire community. If you have not yet had an opportunity to complete the survey, you can visit the Harbor View landing page to access the survey and share your input. Every perspective is valuable, and your participation will help shape this important process.
As we continue this work, I encourage our community to remain engaged and take advantage of the multiple opportunities to participate. In addition to the survey, we invite everyone to attend the next Restorative Renaming Circles happening in-person. RSVP is required so we may plan accordingly with our facilitators.
- Tuesday, September 22nd | 9:00 - 11:00 am | Harbor View Multipurpose Room 101
- Tuesday, September 22nd | 12:30 - 2:30 pm | Harbor View Multipurpose Room 101
- Tuesday, September 29th | 12:30 - 2:30 pm | Mid-City Campus, Room 203
- Tuesday, September 29th | 3:30 - 5:30 pm | Mid-City Campus, Room 203
These gatherings will provide an opportunity for deeper reflection, dialogue, listening, and connection as we collectively consider the history and future of Harbor View.
Renaming a campus is a significant undertaking, and this process is an opportunity to come together as a community and thoughtfully consider the name that will represent our shared values and vision moving forward. Your voice matters, and I encourage everyone to participate in whichever way feels most meaningful to you.
Thank you for your continued engagement, thoughtful participation, and commitment to helping build our campus together.
Constitution Day
Join the Office of Student Affairs, SDCCE Outreach, community partners from the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, the League of Women Voters, and more to celebrate the fundamental protections and freedoms granted to ALL by the US Constitution! Thursday, September 17th from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Mid-City Campus.
Also, if students sign up for the Campus Council Interest List and they can receive a Free Pocket US Constitution, courtesy the Associated Students and the SDCCE Foundation (while supplies last).
2025-2026 Annual Report to the Community
The 2025-2026 Annual Report to the Community, which was shared during Convocation, is now available online!
The report highlights the many accomplishments, milestones, and meaningful moments that shaped the past academic year. From student achievements and campus initiatives to the dedicated work of our employees, and community partners, the report provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress we made together and celebrate the impact of our collective efforts.
I encourage you to take some time to review the annual report and celebrate the great work that took place across our college community throughout the 2025-2026 academic year. It is a wonderful reflection of what we can accomplish when we work together in support of our students and our shared mission.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to another successful year. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing the important work ahead!
Child Development Program Welcome
We're excited to welcome our Child Development Program children with brand-new toddler backpacks and T-shirts to enjoy when they come to class! These special items help foster a sense of belonging and school pride while making their learning experience even more memorable.
Dolly Parton Day Celebration
On September 25th (9-25), join us in celebration of the life and legacy of music pioneer and humanitarian Dolly Parton across all campuses of the College of Continuing Education.
How can you participate?
- Join our English Language & Child Development classes in celebrating Dolly's commitment to early childhood literacy through Dolly's Imagination Library
- Practice kindness in your interactions across campus and with your classmates and community
- Give your time to support community service causes in your neighborhood and around each of our campuses
- Honor the different ways that each one of us contribute to making the world a better place through art, culture, learning, science, and advocacy
- Share your thoughts and celebrations on social media and tag @sdcceedu with the hashtag #SDCCELovesDolly
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, College Technology Director, ECC Theatre Director, and Measure HH Liaison (Regions 1 & 3) met with HGA and PCL and discussed the theatre layout, shared progress photos and construction progress updates, and discussed A/V configurations.
- Public Information Officer, Brenna Leon Sandeford, ECC Theatre Director Silvia Nogales, District team, and Measure HH Liaison (Regions 1 & 3) met with PCL and HGA to discuss the layout and color theme of the lenticular wall, shared progress updates, and mockup renders. Additionally, they discussed the materials used, lighting, accessibility and wayfinding, and the layout and design of the archival west wall of the ECC Theatre.
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.
- New panic button systems have been installed at West City, Harbor View, North City, Educational Cultural Complex, and Continuing Education at Mesa College to strengthen emergency response, while Harbor View patio replacement and hardscape improvements remain in progress.
- The Vice President of Administrative Services, Jacqueline Sabanos; Associate Vice Chancellor, Planning, Design & Architecture / District Architect, Lance Lareau; Assistant District Architect, Emily Perez; District Team; Facilities team; and Measure HH Liaison (Regions 1 & 3) met at the ECC campus with VDLA Landscape Architects, SGPA Architecture and Planning, Snipes-Dye Associates, Wiseman + Rohy Structural Engineers, McParlane & Associates Inc., and Align Builders, Inc. They met to kick off the ECC Facilities Building project. They discussed the project criteria, facilities building layout, and program matrix. Additionally, they discussed security, accessibility, and sound mitigation. Lastly, they discussed equipment needs, office space, grounds, storage, and yard space areas, and toured the existing Facilities & Grounds area.
- Vice President of Instructional Services, Dr. Masahiro Omae, Dean of Healthcare Careers, Catherine Shafer, CNA Instruction team, District team and Measure HH Liaison (Regions 1 & 3) met with Carrier Johnson + Culture, Hensel Phelps, McParlane & Associates and Criterion remotely for a focus group of the Nursing Program at the new Mid-City Expansion Campus. They discussed the layout of the Mid-City Expansion building, LVN Lab, and CNA lab. Additionally, they discussed lab room table configurations and accessibility. Lastly, they discussed equipment needs, common equipment room and medical storage room needs, lockable secure storage, 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 Senior Student Services Assistant, Christine Martin. Christine's journey with the San Diego Community College District began as a student before she joined the District as an hourly clerical assistant in 1984. She later advanced through several roles, joining the Continuing Education family in 2007 and eventually becoming a Senior Student Services Assistant in Student Services.
With a career built on dedication and a commitment to student success, Christine finds fulfillment in guiding students through enrollment and connecting them with opportunities that support their academic and career goals. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and stays actively involved in her church.
From student to longtime classified professional, Christine is grateful to be part of the CE Mesa and CE family!
Faculty Spotlight
Chef Liz Trevino brings more than a decade of culinary expertise, energy, and heart to her role as a Culinary Arts instructor. A graduate of the California Culinary Academy with an MBA, she brings both hands-on industry experience and business knowledge to the classroom. Her background includes roles as a chef instructor, sous chef, chef de partie, and catering professional.
Passionate about food and teaching, Chef Liz is dedicated to helping students build confidence, creativity, and skills in the kitchen. Her former students remain among her biggest fans, reflecting the lasting impact she makes through mentorship and a genuine love of culinary arts.
Announcements:
- 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
- I had the opportunity to meet with the architects and the Measure HH team to discuss and review the exciting design plans for our new Mid-City campus on El Cajon Boulevard. I am incredibly excited about the vision taking shape for this new campus and what it will mean for our students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community. The design concepts reflect thoughtful planning, collaboration, and a strong commitment to creating a modern, welcoming, and accessible space that will serve our community for years to come. I am especially grateful to everyone who has contributed their ideas, expertise, and time throughout this process. Bringing a project of this magnitude to life takes the collective efforts of many, and it is inspiring to see those contributions reflected in the plans.
- I'm excited to be teaching again this semester with the new SDSU PELSA Year 1 cohort and look forward to learning alongside emerging educational leaders, supporting their growth, and celebrating their progress throughout the year.
The Research Corner
This week, we invite you to read a study "Heat and Team Production: Experimental Evidence from Bangladesh∗" according to which the adverse effects of heat are particularly pronounced in mixed-gender teams and teams with differences in semester-standing, indicating that heat may intensify issues related to coordination and communication within heterogenous teams. The study may be found on the following link. Please take a minute to review this resource and email [email protected] if you have any questions.
Best,
